I’ve always put this down to the minty fresh flavor of toothpaste, but it’s actually down to a substance known as sodium laureth sulfate (or sodium lauryl ether sulfate, or sodium lauryl sulfate).

This is responsible for creating the foam when brushing with toothpaste, and it’s also the main reason that causes things to taste bad- sodium laureth sulfate can be found in many mints and candies, which is why they have the same affect.

Why Toothpastes Makes Food and Drink Taste Bad

Weblog Mental_Floss explains:

Both SLES and SLS mess with our taste buds in two ways. One, they suppress the receptors on our taste buds that perceive sweetness, inhibiting our ability to pick up the sweet notes of food and drink. And, as if that wasn’t enough, they break up the phospholipids on our tongue. These fatty molecules inhibit our receptors for bitterness and keep bitter tastes from overwhelming us, but when they’re broken down by the surfactants in toothpaste, bitter tastes get enhanced.

In short, SLES and SLS enhance bitter tastes and inhibit sweet ones; making many food and drinks taste different.

While not completely agreed upon, there are several other theories out there too, this is currently the most widely accepted explanation.

So how do you avoid having to consume bad tasting food and drink after you’ve brushed?

Well, many dental professional say that brushing the teeth after breakfast is not as effective as brushing before, which means you’re left with the choice of buying a toothpaste that doesn’t contain SLS.

Of course it might be a little harder to find, but if you’re always pushed for time in the morning and find yourself eating immediately after brushing everyday, using an SLS-free toothpaste can make all the difference when it comes to your breakfast.

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However some bleeding can be expected. This could be from brushing too hard or flossing. Seeing blood is not an automatic warning symbol, but you should investigate and prevent. Prevention is key, because for many their main concern with dental is worrying about cavities. The health of their gums is little or of no concern.

It is important to follow the instructions from your dentist in order to maintain healthy gums. Improper brushing and flossing technique may actually irritate or traumatize the gum tissue.

If you see pink in the sink, you’ve come to the right place.

Causes of Bleeding Gums

The main cause of bleeding gums is a result of inadequate plaque removal from the teeth at the gum line. This leads to the condition known as gingivitis or inflamed gums.

If the plaque is not removed from both regular brushing and regular dental appointments, it will harden and become tartar. This will eventually lead to increased instances of bleeding of the gums. Eventually it will lead to a more advance form of gum and jaw bone disease known as periodontitis.

Causes for Bleeding Gums

• Gingivitis:
  Inflammation of the gums
• Tartar:
  A hard calcified deposit that forms on the teeth and contributes to their decay
• Pregnancy:
  Condition or period of being pregnant
• Vitamin Deficiency:
  Lack of Vitamin K or Vitamin C in your diet
• Damage:
  Brushing too hard or improper flossing
• Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura:
  Condition of having an abnormally low platelet count of unknown cause
• Foreign Objects:
  Ill-fitting dentures or foreign objects in the mouth
• Medication:
  Using medication that can thin the blood
• Leukemia:
  Cancer of the blood cells that starts in the bone marrow

Bleeding Gum Treatment

Whatever the cause of sore, painful gums, there are steps you can take to minimize gum damage and discomfort. If you do not have bleeding gums it is still important to be aware of bleeding gums treatment and very important you take bleeding gum prevention into consideration (including brushing up on your Gums and Brushing Technique).

If you see your gums bleeding apply gentle pressure for compression. If the bleeding continues you can then apply ice or a cold water/juice to stop the bleeding. Do not brush the teeth! Stop and rinse with warm salty water.

If the bleeding is all of sudden then you should take a look at the medication you are taking (if you are taking any) and check to see if blood thinning is a side effect. If it is, then it may be the cause of the bleeding comes and when you discontinue the use of the medication, the gum bleeding should as well.

It is important to visit the dentist regularly at least once every six months for plaque removal. Follow your dentist’s instruction on dental care. Try to avoid using commercial, alcohol-containing mouthwashes, which aggravate the problem. Instead consider products designed to offer gum bleeding treatment and prevention.

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The study, conducted by team from the Athlone Institute of Technology in Ireland, looked into how coconut oil, vegetable oil and olive oil, when treated with digestive enzymes, affected the growth of bacteria in the mouth.

They found that coconut oil not only attacked the Streptococcus mutans bacteria that cause cavities; it also inhibited the growth of yeast that causes thrush.

The researchers theorize that when the enzymes break down the fatty coconut oil, they turn into acids, which effectively fight bacteria.

Enzyme-Modified Coconut Oil Fights The Bacteria Which Cause Tooth Decay

The team hopes that the findings will pave the way for new methods to treat tooth decay – a condition that 60% to 90% of children in industralised countries.

The study carries on from previous research that found that enzyme-modified milk could stop Streptococcus mutans from binding to tooth enamel. The team says its next step will be to analyze exactly how the coconut oil interacts with bacteria on molecular level, and which other strains of bacteria it can inhibit.

Dr Damien Brady, who led the research at the Athlone Institute of Technology with Patricia Hughes, a Masters student, said coconut oil could be an attractive alternative to chemical additives, to which many bacteria and viruses quickly grow immune:

“It works at relatively low concentrations…

“Also, with increasing antibiotic resistance, it is important that we turn our attention to new ways to combat microbial infection.”

The team is also looking into the process of antibacterial activity in the human gut. Dr Brady.

“Our data suggests that products of human digestion show antimicrobial activity. This could have implications for how bacteria colonise the cells lining the digestive tract and for overall gut health,” said Dr Brady.

The findings were presented at the Society for General Microbiology’s conference.

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The chewable toothbrush – which is also claimed to be the smallest tooth brush in the world – is essentially a soft rubber polymer disc with 276 mini bristles that work gently to remove food particles, stimulate the gums, and aid saliva production.

No toothpaste is required to clean the teeth and each disc contains Xylitol and fluoride to help fight plaque and strengthen the teeth.

Rolly Toothbrush

Experts have always advised how the most destructive period of tooth decay occurs for up to 20 minutes after eating food, and that chewing gum immediately after a meal helps stimulate saliva production and aids the breakdown of food in the mouth. Rolly replaces the need for gum with a much more effective method, albeit at a higher cost.

The Rolly teeth cleaning discs are available in packs of twelve for around $12.50.

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6 Ways To Prevent Cavities

1. Cheese

Some researchers believe that eating cheese can help prevent tooth decay. This is because cheese contains a protein called casein, which appears to promote calcium levels in the mouth.

Shawn Frawley, DDS, a dentist in private practice in Beverly Hills, Calif., said:

“Research has shown that calcium levels in the mouth increase after eating cheese. Teeth are partly made up of calcium, so increased saliva calcium levels helps re-mineralize teeth and prevent cavities from occurring.”

2. Chewing Gum

Often touted as a healthy way to freshen the breath chewing gum that contains Xylitol, a natural sugar substitute, has been shown to prevent cavities.

Dr. Frawley, explained:

“Xylitol is a very effective cavity fighter and prevents decay from occurring. [It] helps prevent cavities because bacteria that cause tooth decay cannot utilize it to grow and cannot metabolize it to produce acid. Xylitol is most effective in gum or mint form and should be consumed three to five times daily for a total of 5 grams per day. It is important that it is the first listed ingredient to ensure the amount is sufficient.”

3. Candy

Once made purely of sugar, most modern hard candy now contains xylitol. Since xylitol helps prevent the bacteria that cause tooth decay from growing, treating yourself to a sweet snack can also help keep cavities at bay.

4. Wine

Often blamed for staining the teeth, one study suggests that red and white wine actually contains chemical components that can actively fight bacteria that lead to tooth decay. However, the results are far from conclusive and experts such as Matthew Hyde, DDS, a dentist in private practice on Long Island, N.Y., are quick to warn that:

“Just because you have isolated an individual chemical that may retard decay in a closed system, the mouth is far from a closed system, and it is important to consider the way these chemicals interact with the biofilm that surrounds each tooth.”

5. Raisins

Another snack that has often received much blame for causing tooth decay, it turns out that raisins are actually like wine; they contain chemicals which help prevent cavities. But since research is still limited, whether or not the benefits out way the negative effects of eating such a sweet sticky food, is still up for debate.

6. Drinking Through A Straw

Many may have learnt this whilst growing up at school; drinking through a straw helps prevent tooth decay because the liquid you’re drink bypasses the teeth and goes straight down the throat.

Nevertheless experts still advice that drinking sweet carbonated sodas is not good for the teeth, straw or no straw.

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Whilst it’s possible to kill most of the pesky bacteria in the mouth, the problem is that they just keep growing back, so researchers took a different approach; replacing them with less harmful bacteria. The study found that one application of its mouthwash killed the S.mutans, and harmless bacteria grew back in its place.

To test the theory the research team, funded by toothpaste manufacturer Colgate-Palmolive, designed a molecule called C16G2 that had been proven to kill S. mutans in Petri dishes.

This type of molecule is known as an antimicrobial peptide; it hunts out particular bacteria then attaches itself to that cell membrane where it causes the bacteria to self-destruct.

Mouthwash Could Prevent Cavities

Researchers then made plastic retainers with enamel chips taken from cow’s teeth. Volunteers were asked to wear the retainers then swish their mouths with sugar water to activate the S.mutans, followed by the mouthwash containing the C16G2. The participants were asked to repeat this process over four days.

Samples taken daily showed that the number of S.mutans decreased dramatically, and cow enamel rinsed with mouthwash stayed hard, whereas the control group that didn’t receive the mouthwash became soft.

The actual amount of bacteria in the mouth remained the same, suggesting that health bacteria had replaced the cavity causing S.mutans.

Unfortunately the study is far too small to produce conclusive results, but it could pave the way for similar research that could one day lead to the elimination of cavities.

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The plasma brush, isn’t actually a toothbrush, in fact it’s a multifunctional tool that can effectively break up plaque, as well as prepare teeth for stronger, longer-lasting fillings.

Plasma Toothbrush

The plasma torch, which is no hotter than room temperature, targets the bonds that cause plaque to stick to the teeth. The same plasma torch can also be used to help fillings stay in place for longer.

Hao Li, associate professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering in the University of Missouri College of Engineering, explained how some cavities need to be refilled every 5-7 years, and this can only be done a few times before the tooth has to be pulled out.

The plasma brush primes cavities by etching tiny grooves in hole; creating more surface areas for filling to adhere to. According to the research team, the plasma-assisted fillings could be up to 60% stronger than traditional fillings.

Human trials are set to begin early next year at the University of Tennessee at Memphis. All being well, the team hopes that the plasma brush could be approved by the FDA and available to dentists by 2013.

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Developed by OrthoAccel Technologies, the system uses gentle pulses, which vibrate the teeth and surrounding bones, resulting in enhanced tooth movement. AcceleDent doesn’t rid the need for braces, as something is still needed to hold the teeth in place as they shift position, however it has been proven to drastically reduce the time required to straighten the teeth.

Orthoaccel Acceledent Straightens Teeth Quicker

The small, hands-free unit – which is to be used 20 minutes daily – can be used with braces or clear liners, and comes with a travel shell and a handy portable charging unit.

Having perfectly aligned teeth is not simply a cosmetic wish, it also comes with great health benefits too; straight teeth wear down less and are much easier to clean thoroughly.

In a randomized, controlled clinical trial conducted at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, the AcceleDent improved tooth movement by 106 percent in the alignment phase, and 38-50 percent afterward, all with no adverse effects.

The device has already received FDA approval and the company hopes to ship it to orthodontists throughout the U.S. by the end of Jan 2012. No word on prices as of yet.

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Eighty-one Zacarias Pacheco de Moraes was shot whilst working behind a bar in small western city of Alta Floresta on Thursday, May 26th. The reasons for the shooting are still unknown.

Globo TV’s G1 website – where the story was originally posted the following Saturday – quoted hospital official Jose Marcos da Silva who explained that the bullet would have pierced Moreas brain had it not hit his dentures and lodged in his throat.

Marcos added that the bullet will not be removed immediately because surgery right now would be too risky.
After the ordeal, Moreas is said to be in a stable condition, but is at risk of becoming partially sighted as the bullet damaged some of the eye.

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Electric toothbrushes are designed to vibrate or oscillate at high-speed. Normal electric toothbrushes run at around 3,000 to 7,000 brush stroke per minute, but sonic tooth brushes typically run at around 28,000 to 40,000 brush strokes a minute. Sonic toothbrushes spin or vibrate so fast that dynamic pressure waves are projected from the end of the bristle, and these pressure waves can still clean the tooth even when the bristles aren’t actually touching the enamel.

In fact, when tested at a distance of 2mm away from the enamel, a Philips Sonicare sonic tooth brush was still able to remove 65 percent of plaque, according to a report mentioned on Electric Toothbrushes Reviews.

Sonic Tooth Brush

In the same article, sonic tooth brushes were reported to remove 95 percent of plague after just 5 seconds, and after 10 minutes, no traces of plaque remained. Sonicare toothbrushes are been backed by over 150 clinical and laboratory studies by at least 50 universities and research offices around the world, proving that the company is not the only ones who believe the advanced cleaning abilities of sonic toothbrushes.

Different Types of Electric Toothbrushes

Sonic toothbrushes, being top-of-the-line, are also high in price. That said, the average life of a sonic tooth brush is around two years, and split over the 24 months of use it’s likely to see, most brands will run less than 10 dollars a month; a small price to pay for excellent oral health.

Still, not everyone is willing to shell out so much on a toothbrush, especially when there are so many other options to chose from, most at a fraction of the cost.

Here’s a list of the main types of electric tooth brushes you are likely to find at a store in your local high-street stores:

• Rotary toothbrushes – a small circular rotating head.
• Counter-rotational toothbrushes – a circular head with two parts spinning in opposite directions.
• Rotating-oscillating toothbrushes – a circular head that spins back and forth.
• Oscillating-pulsating toothbrushes –a head that oscillates and vibrates.
• The Sonic toothbrush – a conventionally shaped head that vibrates at high speed.

Electric Toothbrush

There are also a whole host of features to be found in different models of electric toothbrushes. Features that are popular on modern electric toothbrushes include pressure sensors that help regulate speed; built-in timers; gum massaging modes; rechargeable batteries; some high-end models even feature UV sanitizers that blast UV rays at your brush to kill and keep away bacteria.

How to Clean Teeth Effectively With Electric Toothbrush

To sufficiently clean your teeth, dentists recommend brushing for 2 minutes, twice every day. To ensure your are spending the right amount of time brushing, the mouth can be divided into four quadrants. Upper left, upper right, and lower left, lower right, and section cleaned for 30 seconds.

Don’t forget, there are 3 visible surfaces you can clean with your toothbrush; the outer, inner and chewing surface. Then there’s the part you can’t see; in between the teeth. Some electric tooth brush will still be able to reach some inter-dental area, however flossing daily to clean between the teeth is still advised.

The average electric toothbrush will last around 2 years, and the brush heads need replacing every 3 months.

How To Clean Teeth Properly With Electric Toothbrush

All in all clinical research has shown electric toothbrushes to be more effective than the manual variety, with sonic toothbrushes performing the best of the bunch. Switching to use an electric or sonic toothbrush is therefore, one of the easiest ways to remove plaque, prevent gum disease, keep teeth white, and improve your overall oral hygiene.

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