"I don't want to achieve immortality through my work. I want to achieve it through not dying."Woody Allen
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Baby war on PLAQUE attack (Teeth)
(A tube of toothpaste) If I can not help the molars I meet Don't forget there's a dentist down the street And if he can't help, then you have made a boob It was your lack of co-operation of squeezing my tube. A smile accompanied by a set of pearly whites ...
Dental Teeth Whitening: Should You Consider It?
Dental teeth whitening is not just a recent trend for the modern multitude, but rather a virtual necessity for every person seeking to gain the self-confidence and that much envied dream SMILE! And cosmetic dentistry has helped individuals gain just that. ...
What the heck are crowns, veneers and implants anyway?
By Judith Sloan, Washington, DC.-Dentistry has become a hot topic, as writers across the media spectrum are reaching into our mouths for story ideas. Apparently, the making of a beautiful smile makes good copy. "And don't we all identify in some way with ...
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For those of us with a sweet tooth, there is good news on the dental front. Despite the fact that raisins are sweet and sticky, scientists at the University of Illinois in Chicago have found them to contain compounds that prevent tooth decay and gingivitis.
There are a number of constituents in raisins that address the problem of plaque-causing bacteria in the mouth. Some, like oleanolic acid are very good at killing these bacteria. Oleanolic acid, oleanolic aldehyde, and 5-(hydroxy methyl)-2-furfural also reduce the ability of these bacteria to grow. In particular, they work against Streptococcus mutans, and Porphyromonas gingivalis.
Oleanolic acid is also effective at preventing the bacteria Streptococcus mutans from sticking to the surface of the tooth, The bacteria need to stick to the teeth to form plaque, after which they start eroding the tooth enamel. Sucrose, not the fructose and glucose that raisins have in them, are what creates the environment for tooth decay.
Cranberries have also been found to prevent bacteria (specifically Streptococcus mutans) from sticking to teeth, and causing gum disease and tooth decay. There are now dental floss products and toothpastes in the US that contain cranberry extract. And the British Dental Health Foundation is recommending cranberry extracts and juice to prevent tooth decay and associated problems. But because of cranberry juice's acidity, they recommend only taking it at mealtimes. Acidic food and drinks temporarily soften the enamel on teeth.
Symptoms of gum disease include red and swollen gums that bleed easily, tooth sensitivity, spaces developing between teeth, pus between teeth, chronic bad breath, pain in the mouth, and changes to the bite of teeth. Plaque is the main cause of gum disease, though other factors can speed up the process of gum degradation. These include smoking, a genetic predisposition, pregnancy, puberty, stress, poor diet (and yo-yo dieting wouldn't help), medications like anti-depressants, and oral contraceptives, grinding teeth at night, diabetes, and some other systemic diseases.
References:
1. www.perio.org
2. www.nutraingredients.com/news/ng.asp?id=60518
3. www.nutraingredients.com/news/ng.asp?id=567
About the author:
Find out what the other bad breath causes are here. And if you suffer toothache as a result of gum disease, try these home remedy for a toothache ideas to help you manage the pain until you can get to the dentist.
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