New Reasons to Brush and Floss

Brought to you by Deepak Chopra, MD, Alexander Tsiaras, and TheVisualMD.com

Taking good care of your teeth at every stage of life is a good way to avoid painful toothaches, expensive trips to the dentist and tooth loss in old age. But there is another powerful reason to practice good oral health: It can affect the health of your whole body. Research shows that the bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease in your mouth may also play a role in heart disease and stroke. And there is some evidence that tooth loss before age 35 may be a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. (1)

The Mouth/Body Connection What does brushing and flossing have to do with the rest of your body? Your mouth is the gateway to your body -- and it's not a very pristine gateway. It's filled with bacteria -- in fact, there are more bacteria living in your mouth than there are people on earth. (2) Most of these bacteria are harmless, and good oral care plus the body's immune system can keep the bad bacteria in check. But if you neglect oral health -- or if your immune system is weakened -- harmful bacteria can multiply. In just one day they can colonize every surface of your mouth and form a sticky substance called plaque on the surfaces of your teeth. Over time, acids in the plaque can cause cavities and gum disease. But the bacteria in your mouth can do damage elsewhere, too.

If you have gum disease or cuts in your gums from dental work, oral bacteria can enter your bloodstream and cause infection in your heart or lungs. Oral bacteria may also attach to fatty buildup in your arteries, increasing the chances of stroke or heart attack. Some research suggests that if your mouth is chronically inflamed due to severe gum disease, inflammation may cause swelling elsewhere in your body, including your arteries. It may also contribute to rheumatoid arthritis. Poor oral health probably won't give you heart disease or other diseases. But if you already have risk factors for certain diseases, it can increase your chances of getting them. (1, 2)

Beyond Brushing The rate of tooth decay in the U.S. has actually improved over the past 30 years due to advances in oral health care. But there is still a long way to go. Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease among kids and teenagers, and most adults show signs of gum disease. (3) The good news: There's a lot you can do to improve your oral health -- and by extension, support your overall health. The minimum is to brush and floss twice a day. Follow these additional tips and do your mouth -- and your body -- a favor.

1. Brush up on brushing (and flossing). Research shows that the average person spends about one minute brushing their teeth. In the process, they remove about 60 percent of the plaque. By investing a little more time and not much effort, you can do better. Aim for two minutes of brushing time. Brush the tooth surfaces nearest your tongue first, since they are more at risk for decay and you tend to brush best when you first start. Use a soft-bristled brush and fluoride toothpaste, and replace your toothbrush when the bristles look worn (about every three to four months). If you want to do an even better job, consider using a powered toothbrush. It does a better job of reaching the areas between your teeth, where the risk of decay is greatest. Careful flossing can remove some of this interdental plaque, but you can get even better results by using a small, interdental brush and toothpaste to scrub the inner surfaces of your teeth. (4, 5)

2. Rinse. Consider using an antimicrobial mouth rinse. Your teeth make up only about 20 percent of the surface area in your mouth. But harmful bacteria live in the other 80 percent too -- on your tongue, gums and other tissues, and in your saliva. Antimicrobial mouth rinse kills bacteria that are not on your teeth, but could easily move there. It also prevents and reduces plaque on tooth surfaces that are hard to reach with a brush or floss. (6)

3. Eat a healthy diet and limit snacks. If you eat five fiber-rich fruits and vegetables a day, it not only benefits your overall health, it also stimulates saliva flow in your mouth, and that helps remineralize tooth surfaces where decay is just beginning. Avoid snacks that are packed with sugar or starches. (3)

4. Avoid tobacco and limit your intake of alcohol. Smokers have a four times greater risk of developing gum disease than non-smokers. And tobacco use in any form -- including smokeless tobacco -- increases the risk of gum disease and oral and throat cancers. Heavy use of alcohol also increases your risk of oral and throat cancers, and the risk gets even higher when you use alcohol and tobacco together. (3)

Focus on Kids Research shows that exposure to plaque over a person's lifetime may be the key risk factor in dental diseases. (7) Helping your children develop good oral health habits early on will pay dividends for the rest of their lives. Talk to your dentist about the best way to protect your child's teeth and ask about dental sealants that can protect young teeth from decay. Encourage your kids to eat healthy snacks. And be aware of hidden dangers in their diet. For instance, sour candies may seem like a good choice because they contain less sugar than sweet candies. But in fact, their high acid content is very damaging to teeth. Sports drinks are also loaded with acid, but the danger doesn't stop there: Studies show that prolonged exposure to these drinks softens a child's dental tissue and tooth enamel. If your child consumes these candies or beverages, it's best to rinse with water soon after, and wait 45 minutes before brushing, since abrasive toothpaste can further erode the softened enamel. (8)

Arthritis: Good dental health may ease pain

Rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, is a chronic disease that causes inflammation, pain, stiffness, redness, swelling and warmth around affected joints. Roughly 1.3 million Americans -- 70% of them are women -- have RA. What causes it? We don't know yet, but we do know that although it can be treated, this chronic disease can't be cured.

Still, there are new ways to help people with RA. One study of 40 people with severe RA who also had gum disease showed that when dental problems were treated, RA problems also improved, resulting in less arthritic pain, fewer swollen joints and reduced morning stiffness.


There's also new hope for the estimated 27 million Americans who have osteoarthritis, or OA, a painful and debilitating condition that causes loss of cartilage in weight-bearing joints such as the knees, hips and spine. People who lost as little as 5% of their body weight reduced their risk of developing OA in the knees, a six-year study of 1,480 men and women age 45 and older found. For a 200-pound person, 5% is only 10 pounds; for a 150-pound person, it's just 7.5 pounds.

USA Weekend

Good advice from "The Doctors"

Top 5 Oral Health Myths

On behalf of the folks at Oxyfresh we present the Top 5 Oral Health Myths:

Myth 1. Bad Breath Is Caused By A Lack Of Brushing And Flossing

Truth:  Even with meticulous brushing and flossing, halitosis (bad breath) may still linger for some individuals. Excellent oral hygiene is essential for reducing the amount of bacteria, plaque, dead cells and food debris that accumulate on the surfaces of the teeth and gum tissues. All of these are largely responsible for oral odors and disease. However, there are other factors, many times overlooked, that contribute to chronic malodor. Dry mouth can be a major culprit to bad breath and can be caused by several factors, including the use of alcohol-based mouthrinses and harsh oral care products. Tongue cleaning is also a very important component to ensure a cleaner mouth and fresh breath.

Myth 2. Oral Health Does Not Affect Overall Health

Truth:  Research indicates a mouth and body connection beyond the obvious. The inflammatory response to gum disease in the mouth can easily allow bacteria and its by-products to enter the bloodstream, traveling through the entire body. This bacteria may reach major organs and potentially put your overall health at risk. Emerging research indicates periodontal disease may contribute to the development of heart disease and increase risk of stroke. Additionally, it may increase a woman’s risk of having a pre-term, low birth weight baby, pose a serious threat to those with diabetes, respiratory diseases and even osteoporosis. While further research is needed to identify all the risk factors, researchers agree a healthy mouth may be one link in reducing potentially serious health risks.

Myth 3. Stress Does Not Cause Problems In The Mouth
Truth:  In August 2007, The Journal of Periodontology released a literature review that indicated a positive relationship between stress/psychological factors and periodontal disease. There is enough evidence to suggest that stress may contribute to an increased susceptibility to periodontal disease. More research is being considered to determine the definitive risk factors and influence stress may have on our oral health. Some researchers are speculating that the hormone cortisol may play a role in the connection. Additionally, the correlation between stress and the decline in daily oral health care is being considered. It is agreed that by reducing stress, individuals may be at less risk of periodontal disease and other oral health concerns.

Myth 4. See My Dentist Regularly, Therefore I Don’t Need To Floss
Truth:  Visiting your dentist and hygienist regularly for check-ups and professional cleanings is essential to good oral health. Although it is important to be seen regularly, your daily routine at home plays a significant role as well. Millions of microscopic bacteria, plaque, food debris and particles accumulate throughout your mouth … every minute of every hour of every day. If you don’t floss, this bacteria and plaque find a safe haven in crevices between the teeth — which are the areas most susceptible to host more harmful, disease-causing bacteria. Initially, the gum tissues can become irritated and inflamed without you even being aware, eventually causing a chain reaction to more serious gum problems down the line.

Myth 5. Using A Mouthwash Will Decrease My Risk Of Gum Disease
Truth:  Although some mouthwashes claim to kill germs that cause gingivitis or are labeled as an antiseptic, that does not give you a “free pass” from gum disease. Many mouthrinses can be misleading, hyped and over-marketed to the consumer. This can lead to confusion when making a decision about the best home care products for you and your family. Most mouthrinses found in stores are loaded with dyes to visually appeal to the consumer, strong flavorings and sweeteners, including saccharin, alcohol (in some cases, up to 26%), and other harsh ingredients that burn and irritate tissues. None of these ingredients reduce your risk of gum disease.

The importance of dental health: A patient's VIEW