Putting the Squeeze on Toothpaste

Why is brushing with toothpaste important?

Toothpaste with a correct brushing action works to remove plaque
Plaque is a sticky, harmful film of bacteria that grows on your teeth
It causes cavities, gum disease, and eventually tooth loss if not controlled
Toothpaste contains fluoride, which makes the entire tooth structure more resistant to decay and promotes remineralization, which aids in repairing early decay before the damage can even be seen
Special ingredients in toothpaste help clean and polish the teeth and remove stains over time
Toothpaste helps freshen breath and leaves your mouth with a clean feeling

What type of toothpaste should I use?

As long as your toothpaste contains fluoride, the brand you buy does not matter
All fluoride toothpastes work effectively to fight plaque and cavities and clean and polish tooth enamel
Your brand should also bear the American Dental Association seal of acceptance on the container, which means that adequate evidence of safety and effectiveness have been demonstrated in controlled, clinical trials
Fluoride is the true active ingredient at work protecting your teeth
Some prefer tartar control toothpastes to prevent the buildup of soft calculus deposits on their teeth
New pastes offer whitening formulas aimed at removing surface stains to make teeth brighter and shinier

How much should I use?

Squeeze a pea-sized dab of paste on the top half of your brush
If you brush correctly, holding the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle and brush inside, outside and between your teeth, the paste should foam enough to cover all of your teeth
Children under six should only be given a very small, baby pea-sized dab of paste on their brush

Is brushing with toothpaste enough to fight cavities and gum disease?

Although brushing thoroughly after each meal helps, flossing your teeth every day to remove plaque and food particles between teeth and at the gum line is just as important
Plaque will re-grow on teeth that are completely clean within 3 to 4 hours of brushing

Reprinted with permission from the Academy of General Dentistry

» Back to Dental Health Tips

Inside HealthLeader:

Diseases & Disorders
Women’s Health
Men’s Health
Children & Teens
Mind, Body & Soul
Lifestyle & Trends
Dental Health Tips

Health Tip:

Food Irradiation
and Safety

On August 22, 2008, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published a final rule that allows the use of irradiation to make fresh iceberg lettuce and fresh spinach safer and last longer without spoiling.

Irradiating fresh iceberg lettuce and spinach will help protect consumers from disease-causing bacteria such as Salmonella and Escherichia coli O157:H7 (E. coli). Illnesses from these bacteria range from uncomfortable symptoms to life-threatening health problems.

The foods affected by the final rule are

loose, fresh iceberg lettuce and fresh spinach
bagged iceberg lettuce and spinach

Irradiation (also sometimes termed "ionizing radiation") is a process of treating products with a measured dose of radiation. Food irradiation is not new. FDA has conducted irradiation safety evaluations for more than 40 years and has determined the process to be safe for use on a variety of foods.

After studying the safety of irradiating fresh iceberg lettuce and fresh spinach, FDA has determined that these greens, when irradiated under the conditions specified in the final rule, retain their nutrient value and are safe to eat.

FDA considers irradiation a complement to, not a replacement for, proper food-handling by producers, processors, and consumers. Irradiation is just another tool to reduce the levels of disease-causing microorganisms on fresh iceberg lettuce and fresh pinach.

Irradiation does not take the place of washing. FDA continues to recommend that consumers wash fresh and bagged produce before eating unless the packaging specifically states that the product has been pre-washed.

For more information, go to: http://www.fda.gov)