A lot is said about the benefits of using an electric toothbrush, and millions of people around the world made their choice to use this excellent tool for their daily dental care. Positive effect of using electric toothbrushes are properly explained and scientifically proven, but what about the drawbacks? And mainly, are all electric toothbrushes safe? There are many studies and researches being carried out to find out more about the negative sides of using electric toothbrushes, and the findings of some studies bring the points for certain warnings and prohibitions. Mainly those are related to using electric toothbrushes of certain brands and manufacturers.

Thus, earlier this month, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a warning as to using the Arm & Hammer Spinbrush electric toothbrushes from such company as  Church & Dwight which are quite popular among modern children. It turned out that using these electric devices is linked to serious risks and dangers to our health and the health of our children. According to the FDA experts, there are increased choking hazards linked to using these toothbrushes, which are increased in cases when the Arm & Hammer Spinbrush toothbrushes by little children not under the supervision of their parents or other adults.

According to the FDA report, their studies have shown that by turning on such electric brushes children are exposed to high risks of popped off or broken heads of electric toothbrushes, which can go directly into the children’s mouth can cause serious cuts or wounds in gums and soft tissues inside the mouth. In addition, broken toothbrush heads can result in broken teeth and serious injuries, as well as they be swallowed and cause choking. Finally, the related traumas can be linked also to face and eye injuries leading to loss of vision, and so on.

As a response to this warning, Church & Dwight company released special safety notice that is now attached to every single electric toothbrush of theirs. It requires buyers thoroughly inspect electric toothbrushes they purchase for possible lose parts or possible related defects. The company is ready to replace faulty products immediately with the good toothbrushes. Also, the company introduced a new techniques for reminding its customers about the necessity to change electric toothbrush heads once per every three months. Since December 2011, special color-water bristles are added to the products of the Arm & Hammer Spinbrush line.

Tags: electric toothbrush

Posted: March 1st, 2012 under Effective Brushing.
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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.

Trust the best cosmetic dentistry in San Diego CA to help maintain the health and look of your teeth through the years.

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

Posted: July 29th, 2008 under Effective Brushing.
Comments: 1