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PreviDent is a prescription-only topical fluoride used to prevent cavities--a serious problem in a nation where daily intake of sugary sodas by teenagers has more than doubled in 20 years. PreviDent is packaged as a brush-on gel, dental rinse and dental cream. more »
Dental cavities are also known as caries or tooth decay. With poor oral hygiene, thin and white sticky films, called plaques build up on the surface of our teeth, which will then be harbored by bacteria. As the bacteria settle on the plaque and feed from sugar and starch we are eating, they will create an acid that will cause damage... more »
Sensitive teeth is an easy diagnosis. If your find that your teeth hurt after drinking something hot like a glass of tea, you probably have sensitive teeth. The opposite can also be true. Extremely cold drinks and foods such as ice water, can also cause a painful sensation. Your dentist will be able to pinpoint the exact cause of your... more »
Toothaches are very unpleasant experiences, and can be caused by different factors. Most are caused by dental problems, but other conditions can play a part. Proper oral hygiene will help prevent most toothaches, but given the situation, they sometimes cannot be avoided. more »
Whitening toothpastes seem like an easy, cheap way to whiten teeth, but how well do they work? These toothpastes only work to remove surface stains, leaving deep cleaning to the professionals. Most have one or more active ingredients, and are effective at keeping surface stains under control. Be aware that even the priciest whitening... more »
There are many different ideas about what constitutes non-toxic living. Some people think it is...
The two main types of gum disease, Gingivitis and Periodontitis, are caused by tooth decay from...
If you really take notice you will find that many people have a mouth full of metal due to tooth fillings. Although over the past few years more... more »
Teeth whitening products have become a huge industry as more and more people want bright, white teeth. There are a few ways to get whiter teeth.... more »
Getting braces is sort of a mixed bag. There's that hope at the end of the tunnel to a killer smile, yet a long and arduous process just to get... more »
Cavities, one word no one wants to hear from their dentist. These small holes in the tooth enamel are caused by plaque formation which harbors... more »
For people with false teeth, sore, aching gums because of dentures is quite a common complaint. Orthodontists can advise a way out of the pain but... more »
Toothpaste is a paste or gel dentifrice used with a toothbrush to clean and maintain the aesthetics and health of teeth. Toothpaste is used to promote oral hygiene: it can aid in the removal of dental plaque and food from the teeth, aid in the elimination and/or masking of halitosis and deliver active ingredients such as fluoride or xylitol to prevent tooth and gum disease (gingivitis). Some dentist recommendations include brushing your teeth at least twice a day, if not more. In most or all developed countries, usage after each meal is encouraged by dentists. However when cleaning teeth with a toothbrush with toothpaste, the essential cleaning is done by the mechanical brushing, and not by the active toothpaste chemicals.
Most toothpaste contains trace amounts of chemicals which are toxic when ingested, and it is not intended to be swallowed.
History
Early toothpastes
The earliest known reference to toothpaste is in a manuscript from Egypt in the 4th century A.D., which prescribes a mixture of iris flowers. However, toothpastes or powders did not come into general use until the 19th century. The Greeks, and then the Romans, improved the recipes for toothpaste by adding abrasives such as crushed bones and oyster shells. In the 9th century, the Persian musician and fashion designer Ziryab is known to have invented a type of toothpaste, which he popularized throughout Islamic Spain.Sertima/> The exact ingredients of this toothpaste are currently unknown, but it was reported to have been both "functional and pleasant to taste".Sertima> It is not known whether these early toothpastes were used alone, were to be rubbed onto the teeth with rags, or were to be used with early toothbrushes such as neem tree twigs or miswak. It is known that these twigs were used by Indians from ancient times. Neem tree twigs are said to have good medicinal effects.
Tooth powder
Tooth powders for use with toothbrushes came into general use in the 19th century read more at » http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toothpaste
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