Oral Hygiene

Oral hygiene methods and products combat the most widespread, chronic disease of children--tooth decay. For all ages, tooth decay is second only to the cold among the top common disorders. Pets also suffer from gum disease and tooth loss; dogs and cats over the age of three are missing a significant number of teeth. Fortunately, the pain of cavities, gum disease, and tooth loss is preventable with simple, inexpensive measures that anyone can use.

It is entirely possible to have clean, fresh breath, a happy smile, white teeth, and pink, healthy gums. Isn't this what we all want? Oral hygiene enables us to have kissing-fresh breath so we aren't fearful of intimacy with those we love. We can go to work and talk with co-workers and supervisors without worrying about bad breath making them back away. For our pets, doggy breath can be a thing of the past.

Halitosis and Oral Hygiene

Most halitosis, or bad breath, begins in the mouth where bacteria are normally present. After eating, food debris combines with bacteria and saliva to form a sticky substance called plaque within 20 minutes of eating. You begin to understand why the American Dental Association (ADA) and your dentist recommend you brush after every meal, if possible, but at least twice a day.

If not removed, plaque builds into calculus, or tartar, which cannot be removed by simple brushing. Next, the gums become infected and diseased by the buildup of tartar under the gumline. This is the start of serious periodontal disease, which causes persistent halitosis. At any step in the development of plaque, bad breath is possible because of the bits of food decaying in the mouth and the toxins released by the bacteria.

Premium Products for Dental Health

There are so many oral hygiene products on the market that are supposed to clean your teeth, rinse your mouth, and give you fresh breath. Some are certainly better than nothing, but why not look into the very best dental hygiene products with the very best ingredients? Have you ever wondered why so many popular toothpastes have sugar in them when sugar is so harmful when left on your teeth?

Why do most mouthwashes contain alcohol that dries out your mouth, which can lead to other problems? What is the point in using commercial mouthwashes that simply cover up bad breath for maybe 10 minutes? Premium dental products for you and your pets should contain effective, safe, non-toxic ingredients that give you your money's worth.

Holistic Oral Hygiene

When you think of the consequences of not brushing your teeth, of not flossing the plaque that gets in between your teeth, and of not having a regular program of oral hygiene, you might want to consider how simple and affordable it is to use superior dental products. Toothpastes, mouthwashes, oral irrigators, and dental gels--these are your defenses against oral problems and expensive dental bills. If you take a holistic approach to oral hygiene, you can readily come up with a sensible program that will only take a few minutes of your time in the morning and at night. Likewise, a program for your dog or cat should only take a few minutes each day.

First on every dentist's list of recommendations for oral hygiene is tooth brushing because that clears the plaque from the surfaces of your teeth. Next is flossing because that gets the plaque and food debris from between your teeth where brushing doesn't reach. The ADA also recommends a healthy diet and snacks, regular checkups with your dentist, and the replacement of your toothbrush every three or four months. This is hardly a time-consuming regimen, but it will save your teeth and help keep your breath fresh as a spring breeze.