Toothbrushes

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British Dental Health Foundation warns of health risks associated with poor oral hygiene

A leading UK dental charity is warning that poor oral health might increase your risk of illness, disease and even an early death.i

The relationship between oral health and heart disease has been investigated more fully. The link is particularly clear in men aged over 40, who in one study showed a 3.6 times increase in the likelihood of coronary heart disease. ii

However recent studies have found that everyone is at potential risk if they do not maintain a good oral health regime. Associations between poor oral health and strokes, diabetes and pre-term low weight babies have been identified. iii

The mouth can suffer from a number of different conditions if it is not looked after properly. Mouth cancer, gum disease, erosion, decay and bad breath are some of the problems, but it is possible to help prevent them.

· Brush teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste - Fluoride can substantially benefit dental health by strengthening the tooth enamel, making it more resistant to acid attacks that can cause tooth decay.
Brushing with a powered toothbrush may also help.

· Floss after brushing - This can remove up to 40 percent more plaque than brushing alone

· Use a mouthwash after flossing - This can help to dislodge food debris and help improve gum health and prevent bad breath

· Chew sugar-free gum - After eating chew for 20 minutes to help stimulate saliva that neutralises acids that can cause tooth decay. It can also help to prevent bad breath

· Cut down on how often you have sugary snacks and drinks - try to limit them to mealtimes and choose safer options such as cheese, nuts, breadsticks and plain popcorn.

· Visit your dentist at least once a year for a check-up. During a dental check up your dentist should examine the soft tissue in your mouth, to identify conditions such as oral cancer, as well as your teeth and gums. A thorough examination could alert your dentist to other health conditions such as anaemia and even symptoms of stress.

References

i Jansson, Leif, Lavstedt, Stig & Frithiof, Lars - Relationship between oral health and mortality rate. Journal of Clinical Periodontology 29 (11) 1029-1034 Nov 2002

ii Seymour R A and Steele J G (1998), Is there a link between periodontal disease and coronary heart disease? British Dental Journal Vol184 No1 pg 33-38.

iii Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. www.cdc.gov National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. www.nidcr.nih.gov

Toothbrushes - a warning

Recent research has led oral health charity the British Dental Health Foundation to renew its warning against the dangers of sharing your toothbrush.

Researchers from the University of Regensburg, in Germany have showed that hepatitis C could be transmitted by toothbrushes. The team examined patients with hepatitis C. 30 per cent of the infected patients tested positive for traces of the virus in their saliva before brushing their teeth, while 38 per cent tested positive in their saliva after brushing. About 40 per cent of the rinsing water used for the toothbrushes in the test tested positive for the virus.

The warning is important because a of the surprising results of a recent survey by the Foundation sponsored by Philips sonicare electric toothbrush.

The survey showed that, although 80 percent of us say we would never let anyone use our toothbrush, when prompted more one in three people admitted that they would let their partner use it. Between five and ten percent of people would let their brothers, sisters or parents use their brush. 25 out of the thousand-plus people surveyed even expressed their willingness to let a colleague or 'the person from the night before' use their own toothbrush.

British Dental Health Foundation Chief Executive Dr Nigel Carter said, "It might seem kind to share your toothbrush with a close friend, but it's a very bad idea. Research shows you can spread harmful germs. Even if you don't let anyone else use your brush, you still need to replace it every three months to make sure germs don't build up, and to keep your brushing as effective as possible."

IS YOUR SMILE UP TO SCRUTINY?
- smile is key to how people judge you...

New National Smile Week survey sponsored by Listerine reveals the truth behind the nation's smile...

It's official, a smile leaves a lasting impression - with over half the nation (51 per cent) admitting to judging people they meet by their grin, according to the research done for the British Dental Health Foundation in
association with Listerine.

But are we really all that superficial?
Would you choose looks or personality? Nearly eighty per cent said that they thought that having a smile they are proud of makes them feel more confident socially and psychologically - and they would be right! Many people find a healthy smile an attractive smile - so if you are out to impress, your smile could hold the key to instant attraction.

However, nearly a third of people (31 per cent) know someone who is hampered by their smile. Research at the Dental Institute at Guys, Kings and St Thomas' confirmed that people do make judgements about people's social and intellectual abilities based on the appearance of their teeth.

"People often make judgements and pigeonhole you just on appearance, and teeth are always one of the first things to be noticed." says Professor Peter Robinson, a leading expert in dental appearance.1

A brief encounter...
Many of us dream of that once in a lifetime, love at first sight moment. First impressions are everything and one in four (25 per cent) confessed that they had been put off going out with someone because of their smile.
If you are looking for love, then make sure you smile at that stranger across a crowded room as they are twice as likely (51 per cent) to approach you. And you never know, sparks might fly!

Why so down in the mouth?
An unattractive smile can be the outcome of a number of factors. Poor gum health, crooked, stained or missing teeth are some of the problems that can prevent people from smiling with confidence. Over a quarter (26 per cent) of those surveyed said that they didn't like smiling openly because their teeth were not white, a quarter (25 per cent) due to their teeth not being straight and one in five (20 per cent) due to having teeth missing!

"Our data shows that people may be suffering unnecessarily from an unattractive smile and perhaps without realising. 2 With modern dentistry it is easy to straighten or whiten stained teeth. People need to be more
aware that dental disease is preventable and the visible effects are easy to rectify." claims Professor Robinson.

How can you help keep your smile?
Nearly half (45 per cent) said that if money was no object, to give their smile that extra 'bling bling' appeal, they would whiten their teeth and nearly one in three (30 per cent) would straighten their teeth for that
perfect Hollywood smile.

Thankfully there are easier ways to keep your smile so if you are more Shane McGowan than Julia Roberts, the good news is that a confident smile can be easily maintained by following a regular hygiene routine that includes brushing, flossing, using a mouthwash such as Listerine and regular visits
to the dentist.