Medical Vision Dental

It is quite amazing when you stop to consider all of the different ideas and notions about proper dental care.  These seemingly conflicting theories leave the patient – or more accurately – the consumer, in a sea of bewilderment most of the time.

For instance, is fluoride in mouthwash and toothpaste good or bad? Many dental experts believe that toothpaste, mouthwash and even topical treatments of fluoride harden your teeth and are therefore good. Other researchers say that any fluoride containing product put in the mouth spikes blood fluoride levels. Fluoride apparently tends to accumulate in parts of the brain as well.

Research like that done by Dr. Phyllis J. Mullenix, PhD. clearly makes you question even small amounts of fluoride showing up in our drinking supply and food supply – as many foods are exposed to fluoridated water. She also discusses that when they wanted to study even lower doses of fluoride for extended periods of time, that her funding was cut.

There are even dentists who are against fluoride’s use in the human body for any reason. Confusing, isn’t it? Who do we listen too? I can’t answer that question definitively for you but here are some thoughts that I will share on this aspect of dental health.

I am personally against fluoridation of drinking water. Despite the arguments in favor of forced medication of our drinking supply, I think it is wrong to ‘force’ any medication on a population. This behavior effectively side steps each person’s right to choose. On the other hand, the choice of personal dental care products is just that: a choice. Each person as the right to choose whether he uses fluoridated rinse and toothpaste.

When it comes to adding fluoride to the drinking supply, many scientists and professionals are against the use of fluoride while many others are in support of it. When you have this kind of debate between scientists, isn’t it best to error on the side of caution?  Find out which tools can improve your oral health. 

Disclaimer: This article is for information and entertainment purposes only. It does not intend to render advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you have or think you might have a dental health problem or any other health problem, visit your periodontist or physician for advice, diagnosis and treatment. The USFDA has not evaluated statements about products in this article.

It is quite amazing when you stop to consider all of the different ideas and notions about proper dental care.  These seemingly conflicting theories leave the patient – or more accurately – the consumer, in a sea of bewilderment most of the time.

For instance, is fluoride in mouthwash and toothpaste good or bad? Many dental experts believe that toothpaste, mouthwash and even topical treatments of fluoride harden your teeth and are therefore good. Other researchers say that any fluoride containing product put in the mouth spikes blood fluoride levels. Fluoride apparently tends to accumulate in parts of the brain as well.

Research like that done by Dr. Phyllis J. Mullenix, PhD. clearly makes you question even small amounts of fluoride showing up in our drinking supply and food supply – as many foods are exposed to fluoridated water. She also discusses that when they wanted to study even lower doses of fluoride for extended periods of time, that her funding was cut.

There are even dentists who are against fluoride’s use in the human body for any reason. Confusing, isn’t it? Who do we listen too? I can’t answer that question definitively for you but here are some thoughts that I will share on this aspect of dental health.

I am personally against fluoridation of drinking water. Despite the arguments in favor of forced medication of our drinking supply, I think it is wrong to ‘force’ any medication on a population. This behavior effectively side steps each person’s right to choose. On the other hand, the choice of personal dental care products is just that: a choice. Each person as the right to choose whether he uses fluoridated rinse and toothpaste.

When it comes to adding fluoride to the drinking supply, many scientists and professionals are against the use of fluoride while many others are in support of it. When you have this kind of debate between scientists, isn’t it best to error on the side of caution?  Find out which tools can improve your oral health. 

Disclaimer: This article is for information and entertainment purposes only. It does not intend to render advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you have or think you might have a dental health problem or any other health problem, visit your periodontist or physician for advice, diagnosis and treatment. The USFDA has not evaluated statements about products in this article.

It is quite amazing when you stop to consider all of the different ideas and notions about proper dental care.  These seemingly conflicting theories leave the patient – or more accurately – the consumer, in a sea of bewilderment most of the time.

Research like that done by Dr. Phyllis J. Mullenix, PhD. clearly makes you question even small amounts of fluoride showing up in our drinking supply and food supply – as many foods are exposed to fluoridated water. She also discusses that when they wanted to study even lower doses of fluoride for extended periods of time, that her funding was cut.

There are even dentists who are against fluoride’s use in the human body for any reason. Confusing, isn’t it? Who do we listen too? I can’t answer that question definitively for you but here are some thoughts that I will share on this aspect of dental health.

I am personally against fluoridation of drinking water. Despite the arguments in favor of forced medication of our drinking supply, I think it is wrong to ‘force’ any medication on a population. This behavior effectively side steps each person’s right to choose. On the other hand, the choice of personal dental care products is just that: a choice. Each person as the right to choose whether he uses fluoridated rinse and toothpaste.

When it comes to adding fluoride to the drinking supply, many scientists and professionals are against the use of fluoride while many others are in support of it. When you have this kind of debate between scientists, isn’t it best to error on the side of caution?  Find out which tools can improve your oral health. 

Disclaimer: This article is for information and entertainment purposes only. It does not intend to render advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you have or think you might have a dental health problem or any other health problem, visit your periodontist or physician for advice, diagnosis and treatment. The USFDA has not evaluated statements about products in this article.

One of the most important areas of health is actually dental hygiene. It is so important because it can lead to other diseases in other parts of the body. Gum disease is probably one of the most common forms of oral diseases. It is not only irritating, but can also be difficult to treat if oral health is ignored for too long. So what causes gum disease? Actually, many different things can cause it, but there are also various treatments and ways to prevent gum disease.

Gum disease is a condition that causes inflamed gums, rotting them slowly away, and, if left untreated, then it can destroy the whole structure of the mouth and jaw. Gingivitis is actually a gum infection. Early stages will appear as swollen, red, sensitive teeth and gums, and it can progress rapidly from there. Once gum disease is contracted, it can become a chronic problem for some people. In later stages of gum disease, a puss-like discharge can appear on the gums.

The causes of gum disease can vary. The number one cause is poor dental hygiene. What happens in this case is that plaque builds up from infrequent brushing, and in time, turns into tartar. The tartar is an irritant to the gums, which then causes the swelling and irritation. Smokers are at least twice as likely to get some kind of gum disease. Teenagers, pregnant women and women in menopause are at a higher risk as well. There are many other conditions that can contribute to gum disease, such as high exposure to metals, radiation, poorly fitted fillings, and others.

There are a lot of treatments for gum disease. The treatment method usually depends on what causes gum disease in the first place. Many vitamins are used in treating gum disease, such as vitamin E, vitamin A, copper, folic acid and zinc. These keep the mouth and gum line in good health. Some doctors recommend drinking a glass of warm lemon water every day to avoid gum disease. Liver cleanses are also done. There are many different herbal treatments for gingivitis, such as placing aloe vera on the swollen gums, or brushing with baking soda. Your dentist might advise you to rinse your mouth out with salt water to clear the infection. There are also anesthetic ointments that are used to help sooth the gums. In the worst case scenario, gum surgery must be done to fully erase the damaged gums.

What causes gum disease is known, as well as preventative measures. The best thing to do is to ensure proper dental hygiene and healthy gums with regular brushing and flossing. Of course, if you smoke, then you should be doubly careful about the health of your mouth. There are also many different treatment methods. It is important to be aware of such facts so that you can be better prepared to face the world.