Who Really Cares about Public's Dental Safety and Health?

Just out of curiosity, I wanted to see who this “children’s partnership” is who has asked Dr. Davidson, CDA’s president for rigorous study of the safety and efficacy of performing complex dental procedures by non-dentists and to my shock and surprise, I found insurance companies and commercial corporations in the list of partners and supporters of this organization!  I just don’t understand why Dr. Davidson would support a request made by a foundation mainly supported by insurance companies on behalf of an organization who claims to care and support public’s dental health and safety and dental professionals!  Especially when congress on January 12, 2012 voted against spending any funds on any research on efficacy of alternate providers (please see footnote for links to congress announcement)!  Dr. Davidson in a letter on January 20, 2012 addressed to some members has invited meaningful discussions and I really would like to discuss this with an open mind!

Mouth Rinses, Who Should Use Them and Why

Various types of mouth rinses are available over the counter in the market.  It can be very confusing when deciding which one is the right one for you.  This post gives an overview of the general types of mouth rinses and introduces the most abundantly available, yet most ignored type of mouth rinse!  Curious to see what it is?  Please read on.....

Health Insurance Coverage, Who Really Benefits?

Health is a primary need

Primary needs are considered natural or untaught needs determined by innate factors to an individual or their environment such as food,water and shelter.  Health is another primary need because without it, one may not be able to inquire or utilize any other element regardless of its necessity.

Benefits of Brushing Your Teeth with Baking Soda

Image by Earthworm via Flickr

We have all heard about the many uses for baking soda, the natural cleaner.  But have you tried brushing your teeth  with it?  Baking soda has been used as a tooth cleanser for over 150 years.  Somehow it got the reputation as being abrasive, therefore detrimental to the enamel.  Nothing could be farther from the truth.  Toothpastes are rated on a scale from 0 – 200according to their abrasiveness.  This is called the RDA value or “Relative Dentin Abrasiveness”.  Pure baking soda has an RDA of 7.  The closest RDA to this is 35, which is Arm & Hammer baking soda toothpaste.  TheRDA’s for every other tooth paste on the market just go up from here.  You can read more about toothpastes and their respective RDA values here.

There are many reasons for using baking soda for brushing teeth.  It is not only the least abrasive substance to use but it also whitens teeth, removes stain, and is also an effective germ killer against the bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease.

Xylitol, the Sweet Revenge!

What is Xylitol?

Xylitol is a natural sweetener made from the fibrous parts of plants.  It is widely encountered in nature in a variety of fruits and vegetables and commonly extracted from birch bark.  It has a sweet taste similar to sugar and has40% fewer calories than regular sugar.