Prophylaxis is a term which means prevention from a disease. Tooth brushing plays a large role in oral prophylaxis or prevention from dental diseases as well as contributing to overall health of an individual.
Brushing your teeth largely gets rid of the build-up of plaque on the tooth surfaces as well as microbes present on the tongue and tonsillar areas.
Dental plaque is defined as a sticky yellow film that forms on the surfaces of healthy teeth. It consists of bacteria and food debris among other enzymes present in the oral cavity. Inefficient and irregular brushing of teeth causes plaque to go from soft to hard and stubborn. Dental plaque then undergoes changes and mineralizes to form tartar which is hard and very difficult to remove with a tooth brush.
Tartar that is left to accumulate can then cause dental diseases like gingivitis and periodontitis which is localized or generalize gum infection which is very painful as well as damaging for the tooth’s support system. Gingival recession, tooth decay, sensitivity and tooth mobility are all eventual complications of gum infections.
The changing seasons can have a big impact on your oral health. Exposure to scorching heat in the summers and being out in the sun can dry out your lips and cause them to chap. Dry weather can mean dry mouth, which is one of the root causes of bad breath. The changing weather brings about the flu season. Here are a few tips to consider:
- Brushing and Flossing Can Help You Feel Better
Don’t forget to brush and floss, especially when you are sick. This reduces bacterial load in the mouth and helps your recover faster.
Keeping your mouth as clean as possible is a real boost to your overall sense of well-being. A clean mouth helps you feel rejuvenated and refreshed, so don’t let the simple habits of brushing and flossing fall by the wayside while you’re sick. Getting rid of oral bacteria can only help while you’re fighting a cold or the flu!
- A Stuffy Nose Leads to Dry Mouth
If you are unable to breathe out of your nose because of congestion, then obviously your only option is to breathe through your mouth. That’s never great for oral health, because it tends to dry things out. We need our saliva to flush out bacteria and wash away food debris, and dry mouth significantly increases the risk of tooth decay.
Sometimes the medicines we take to help with a cold or the flu (such as antihistamines, pain relievers, and decongestants) can actually make the dry mouth situation worse. Keep this in mind and make sure to drink plenty of water and, when possible, breathe through your nose.
- Congestion and Bad Breath
Have you ever noticed a snotty taste when you have a cold? Well, it can also be a smell, in the form of bad breath. This happens because of post nasal drip, or excess mucus leaking down the back of the throat. It’s easy for bacteria to multiply in this situation, which leads to unpleasant smells yet another reason why brushing and flossing are just as important when we’re sick!
Simple oral health care practices to keep your mouth healthy and happy:
- Drink plenty of water: This is good for your mouth and skin. It promotes saliva production that can help curb bad breath. Additionally, hydrated skin helps prevent over-drying and chapping.
- Wear sun screen on face, body and lips: While you’re basking in the summer sun on a beach (or in a lawn chair), it’s always important to protect your lips with a balm or gloss. The best products will be those that offer moisture, and SPF protection.
- Use a humidifier: Having a humidifier running at home will help prevent dry mouth and will keep your lips from chapping during the summer season when the air is dry.
- Exfoliate your lips and tongue: Use your toothbrush to exfoliate your lips after brushing to keep the skin healthy and smooth. You should also use your toothbrush or a tongue scraper to clean your tongue – it’s a great way to get rid of bacteria and prevent late spring/early summer colds.
- Change your tooth brush frequently: especially after recovering from the flu.
- Use a good quality natural toothpaste
Type of tooth paste and mouth wash
Studies show that the following ingredients prove to be beneficial and anti-carious in tooth pastes and mouth rinses:
All toothpastes with the ADA Seal of Acceptance must contain fluoride.
In addition to fluoride, toothpastes may add active ingredients to help with problems such as tooth sensitivity, whitening teeth, reducing gingivitis or tartar build-up, or preventing enamel erosion or bad breath.
Flavoring agents that cause or contribute to tooth decay (e.g., sugar) should not be contained in any ADA-Accepted toothpaste.
- Stannous salts(e.g., chloride, fluoride) have shown to effectively protect enamel and dentin from erosive and abrasive wear.
- There is evidence that caseinphosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate, CPP-ACP, can boost the effects of fluoridated toothpaste alone to prevent caries.
Sprinjene Natural Toothpaste
Patented Zinc and Black Seed Oil Formula!
SprinJene Natural Cavity Protection Toothpaste features a patented formula with zinc and black seed oil, along with “good for you” ingredients like coconut oil, clove extracts, birch tree xylitol, and acacia gum. This patented natural toothpaste formula can help to:
- Provide relief from dry mouth.
- Control the growth of tartar.
- Deliver long-lasting oral freshness.
- Fight gingivitis (gum disease).
- Reduce gum inflammation.
- Clove extracts: present in SprinJene natural cavity protection tooth paste contain an ingredient called eugenol which can act as a numbing agent and may also reduce inflammation and help alleviate your wisdom tooth pain.
This all natural tooth paste is free from:
- SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate).SLS is a chemical surfactant irritant to some people and used to reduce surface tension between ingredients and thicken certain food products.
- Artificial preservatives and dyes.Unnatural chemicals used to make products last longer and look a certain color have been linked to multiple health issues, especially in children.
- Saccharin is an artificial sweetener with a bitter aftertaste and no nutritional benefit.
- Animal byproducts.No substances that come from animals are found in any SprinJene natural toothpaste or used in manufacturing.
Along with being all natural, SprinJene natural toothpastes are certified Vegan, Cruelty-Free, Gluten-Free, Kosher, Halal, and USDA Bio Preferred! No harmful ingredients are included, no animals suffer, and no religions or cultures are excluded from using our healthy toothpaste!
