Did you know solid-head power toothbrushes are better hygiene-wise compared to the hollow-head ones? According to researchers from University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Dentistry, hollow-head power toothbrushes retain more bacteria. In nine out of ten comparisons, microbial counts in solid-head power toothbrushes were lower than the hollow-heads, lead research author Prof. Donna Warren Morris, R.D.H., M.Ed., revealed.

“Toothbrushes can transmit microorganisms that cause disease and infections,” Prof. Morris said. “[But] a solid-head design allows for less growth of bacteria.” She added that the bristles should be soft and nylon-made.

The study was carried out for three weeks where participants were told to brush their teeth twice each day. In addition, the participants were only given non-antimicrobial but were allowed to continue with their flossing routine. However, they refrained from using other dental products.

Following the conclusion of the study, the researchers revealed that the power toothbrushes, as well as its users, were exposed to five different types of microorganisms:

(1) anaerobes and facultative microorganisms,
(2) yeast and mold,
(3) oral streptococci and oral enterococci anaerobes,
(4) Porphyromonas gingivalis, and (5) Fusobacterium species.

While bacterial growth found in toothbrushes are not known to cause health problems, Prof. Morris said it is associated with systemic diseases such as colorectal cancer, which is linked with the Fusobacterium species. There is also a concrete association between gum disease and these bacteria.

In most cases, packaging of most power toothbrushes do not provide labels or identifying markings to identify whether it is a hollow-head or a solid-head. To distinguish solid-head power toothbrushes from hollow-heads, Prof. Morris has this to say: “The best way to identify a solid-head design is through the connection to the body of the power toothbrush. Naturally, there will be some space to connect the two parts but a significant portion will be solid, up to the bristles or brush head.”

If you think poor dental hygiene can lead to nothing more than just tooth decay or gum problems, think again. Not brushing your teeth will not only lead to you bad breath; it could also lead to grave, serious consequences.

Alzheimer’s Disease

In 2013, researchers from the University of Central Lancashire also discovered a type of bacterium known as Porphyromonas gingivalis, which was found in patients with Alzheimer’s disease; this bacterium is associated with recurring gum disease. According to them, the bacteria are capable of leaving the mouth and directly entering the brain in two ways: (1) by crawling up the nerves connecting the tooth roots and the brain or (2) via the blood circulation system.

Pancreatic Cancer

In 2007, researchers from Harvard School of Public Health were able to discover the link between periodontitis and pancreatic cancer. Gingivitis, however, was not linked to any contributing risk for cancer, but it can lead to periodontitis if left untreated. The greatest risk for pancreatic cancer was found in men who recently lost a tooth due to this gum disease.

Heart Disease

The link between poor dental hygiene and heart disease is the most well-established. The risk of heart disease is higher for people who have bleeding gums as this allows bacteria to enter into the bloodstream, stick to the platelets, and interrupt blood flow to the heart.

To preserve your overall oral health, and resultantly, minimize the risk for Alzheimer’s disease, the American Dental Hygienists’ Association advises us to brush our teeth for at least two minutes, twice each day. Factors that affect our gum health include obesity, tobacco use, and tooth loss.

When bacteria start to develop and grow tartar at the base of the teeth, irritating the gums, you are likely to have Gingivitis. The gum disease occurs when the germs attack the tissues that surround the gums and teeth.

Gingivitis starts when the sugar or starch in our food accumulate inside our mouth. When we fail to brush our teeth, these food particles react with bacteria to form plaque—a soft and sticky material, which can be removed through regular brushing and flossing. However, when our teeth are not cleaned properly, the plaque hardens and develops to form tartar, which now becomes the breeding place for germs.

Aside from the lack of dental hygiene, gingivitis can also be caused by other factors, such as poor nutrition, hormonal changes (in pregnant women) or due to side effects from medications.

You are likely to have gingivitis if your gums bleed easily. This gum disease is also marked by red or swollen gums. Note that when the gums are in healthy condition, they are usually pale pink. When infected, they easily turn bright red. If they get especially inflamed, the gums turn soft and puffy. In addition, they also become sensitive and tender. Bad breath may also accompany these symptoms.

During the first stages of gingivitis, we tend to ignore the signs and symptoms. However, please take note that if this is left untreated, gingivitis could lead to a more serious problem; even to the extent of tooth loss. Maintaining good dental hygiene is the key to preventing this gum disease.

Bad breath is an embarrassing problem, especially when you are about to whisper sweet nothings to a cutie. The noticeably stinky odor is released at the same time you exhale. This is a major problem that most of us face at some point. In fact, this is the third-most common reason why people seek dental assistance, right after tooth decay and gum disease. This condition is medically known as halitosis.

Having bad breath is normal. Surely we have it after we’ve had lots to drink and smoke during a night out. In everyday office work, coffee usually contributes to the buildup of bad breath. In most cases, bad breath starts in the mouth. Its intensity varies depending on what we consume during the day. Bad breath also occurs in the form of morning breath where our mouth is exposed to less oxygen.

But bad breath is transient and often disappears following the basic dental hygiene routine of brushing and flossing. When bad breath is still persistent, there’s something wrong

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Apart from the simple remedy of brushing one’s teeth regularly, perhaps you might want to brush your tongue too. Odor-causing bacteria usually reside on the posterior dorsum of the tongue. Gentle tongue cleaning will greatly eliminate the bad odor; for further bacteria-killing action, rinse with anti-bacterial mouthwash

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For a traditional approach, eat oranges and sweet limes. Other odor-repellant fruits include avocado, apples and parsley. Peppermint and tea tree oil also helps fight bad breath. If the bad odor still persists, seek dental assistance as soon as possible.