Many people consider dental powders to be something old-fashioned as the effectiveness of modern toothpastes is very satisfying for proper dental care. However, sometimes tooth powders do their job better than any toothpaste. The composition of tooth powders is based on finely powdered abrasive elements (such as chalk or calcium phosphates) and a detergent or sweetening agent (essential flavored oils, sugar, menthol, etc.). Some tooth powders also contain bicarbonate which is perfect for whitening our teeth. At the same time, in contrast to so popular toothpastes, dental powder does not contain fluoride and xylitol: important chemicals that can prevent tooth decay.

The first examples of dental powder appeared in the end of the eighteenth century in the Great Britain. The powder was made of calcium carbonate (powdered chalk), sometimes mixed with magnesium carbonate, brick dust, porcelain dust and other abrasive substances. To make the taste of the powder more pleasant and soft, the pharmacists and dentists used to add menthol oil, anise oil, cinnamon oil or oil of cloves. In those times such tooth powders were quite expensive because only rich people could afford using a toothbrush for oral hygiene: poor people were still cleaning their teeth with their fingers.

Nowadays, advanced technologies of contemporary dentistry allowed receiving very powerful dental mixtures from only natural elements that are as much effective as chemicals, but do not harm our health. Modern tooth powders contain therapeutic essential oils (such as tea tree oil, eucalyptus oil, peppermint, etc) that reduce bad breath, have very good antiviral and antibacterial effects, as well as different sea salts with useful microelements and micronutrients. Some dental powders are enriched with the vitamins and minerals that can rejuvenate the tissues in mouth.

Therefore, the advantages of dental powders include lower costs, greater cleansing power and the absence of dangerous chemical agents (which are sometimes carcinogen and very harmful to our organism). Many specialists underline that modern toothpastes contain a great variety of dangerous chemicals (including the soaps, mutagens, toxins, etc.) and using such pastes can bring to various allergies, problems with digestive system and other serious diseases. That is why some dentists tend to recommend children below 6 to use only tooth powders based on natural elements.

Nevertheless, toothpastes with their moderate abrasive effects, more effective chemical content and a great variety of tastes remain unbeatable competitors of dental powders. Moreover, being more popular and highly demanded, toothpastes can be considered as generally more effective against various new resistant dental bacteria. There are a number of large powerful manufacturers such as Colgate, Unilever and the others, which spent millions of dollars for medical researches and improving the quality of their products. Taking into account all the above, it is possible to come to the conclusion that the best strategy for effective oral hygiene can be keeping both modern soft toothpastes and natural powerful dental powders in your bathroom. By using a toothpaste one day and dental powder the other day you can enjoy the specific benefits of both these mixtures for effective dental care and keep you teeth clean and healthy.

Tags: dental care, dental powder, tooth brushing, toothpaste, toothpowder

Posted: August 18th, 2008 under Effective Brushing.
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The majority of us already know what toothbrushes are better: manual or powered ones. However, not many people understand that the right answer on this question is: the one which you actually use and find the most effective. Undoubtedly, powered toothbrushes can be considered advantageous only because they are newer and more expensive than old-fashioned manual ones. That is why a great deal of us prefer using electric toothbrushes, believing that more costly option is the best and the healthiest. The novelty of such toothbrushes also motivates people for more serious approach to daily dental care procedures.

The market of powered toothbrushes has been developing very fast, and nowadays the variety of electric toothbrushes can be compared to the variety of manual ones. You can find rotating, vibrating, oscillating, pulsating, counter-rotational and other types of electric toothbrushes, available in our shops and pharmacies. When choosing between an electric and manual toothbrush, take into account professional recommendations of your dentist and learn more about the pros and cons of both types of the toothbrushes.

The advantages of electric toothbrushes (in comparison with manual):
• Electric toothbrushes last longer than manual ones.
• Brushing with powered toothbrushes require minimal efforts and less brushing force, that is why they are especially suitable for children.
• Electric toothbrushes cause less damage to your gums and tooth enamel because the majority of them have pressure sensors.
• Brushing with electric toothbrush requires minimal skills.
• Powered toothbrushes can be effective for those people who have some problems with making the movements necessary for proper brushing (for example, people with arthritis or other physical limitations).
• Buzzing effects of electric toothbrushes have a special positive influence on your teeth that can hardly be achieved using a manual toothbrush.
• The majority of powered toothbrushes have timer, therefore, your toothbrush can let you know when two minutes necessary for effective brushing are up.
• Also, the majority of electric toothbrushes come with toothpaste dispenser.
• Generally, the handles of electric toothbrushes are more ergonomic and comfortable for a firm grasp.

The disadvantages of electric toothbrushes (in comparison with manual):
• Powered toothbrushes are bulky.
• Electric toothbrushes are more expensive than manual ones. The prices for modern powered toothbrushes vary from 30 to 120 dollars.
• It is harder to maneuver electric toothbrushes as effectively as manual ones.
• Since not much of efforts are required, frequently people rely only on vibration and rotation of power toothbrush bristles and fail to clean their teeth and mouth properly.
• As all the electric toothbrushes need battery replacement or recharging, they can be less suitable for traveling.
• Electric toothbrushes can not clean your tongue as good as manual ones because electric toothbrushes do not come with a tongue scraper.
• People with problematic and very sensitive teeth have to use manual toothbrushes as it is impossible to find electric toothbrushes with soft and extra-soft bristles.

Therefore, depending on your personal preferences, you can use either manual or electric toothbrush – both of them will be effective if you like brushing your teeth and do really care about your dental situation. All you have to remember is the fact that not the type of your toothbrush, but the way you brush your teeth, as well as the frequency and duration of your brushing sessions are the most important factors for effective oral hygiene and good health of your teeth.

Tags: dental care, electric toothbrush, manual toothbrush, powered toothbrush, tooth brushing, toothbrush

Posted: July 29th, 2008 under Effective Brushing.
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Specialists suggest making the first visit to the dentist before your child turns 3. By this age your child might have started eating the food that all your family members eat. Therefore, his teeth have started being affected by all dangerous bacteria and other factors that impact his dental health. This is the age to start teaching your child taking care about his teeth, developing good dental habits and doing regular check-ups. Many children are afraid of going to doctors or dentists because this profession is associated with pain. However, there are some recommendations for you on making your child’s first dental visit a good and positive experience:

• Create a special strategy of preparing you child for going to the dentist for the first time.
• Talk about visiting your dentist only from a positive perspective and make your child understand how important it is to see the dentist regularly.
• Make your child feel excited about going to his first dental appointment
• Never use such words or expressions like “it ain’t gonna hurt”, “you’ll feel no pain” or “be brave” when talking to your child about visiting the dentist.
• A visit to the dentist must never seem to be a threat to your child.
• Never share your negative experiences about visiting the dentist with your child.
• If your child feels frightened, try to reassure him. Be calm, patient and supportive.
• Read him a story about visiting a Teeth Doctor or play dentist with him by examining each other’s teeth.
• Ask people around your child to tell him optimistic things and not to make him feel scared about going to the dentist.
• Do not talk too much to your child about the work of dentists and what is waiting for him in the dentist’s room.
• Select a dentist who is good in getting along with children and can put kids at ease during the first visit.
• Talk to your dentist before bringing you child to him and let him know about the fears and weak points of your child.
• Try to come right in time and not to wait next to the dentist’s door for long.
• Ask the permission of the dentist to stay with your child during the examination.
• Make sure that your child got a good impression of the first visit to the dentist.

Tags: dental care for children, first visit to the dentist

Posted: July 17th, 2008 under Dental Care for Babies and Children.
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