Natural alternatives to bring a smile to your face
It's a basic necessity. Brushing your teeth several times daily helps keep them clean, free of plaque-forming bacteria, and freshens the breath. In the UK, we spend lb217 million a year just on toothpaste.
Brushing, like most daily tasks, can be boring, so manufacturers now advertise toothpaste so as to suggest it 's a beauty or luxury product rather than a matter of personal hygiene. This encourages consumers to buy more and at a higher price, and also draws attention away from ingredients. What 's actually in toothpaste is not something most people concern themselves with - though perhaps they should.
Dental decay and gum disease affect more than just the mouth. Periodontal disease is linked with other conditions such as heart disease (J Periodontol, 1996; 67: S1138-42); the association is even stronger than for risk factors like smoking and high cholesterol (J Am Dent Assoc, 1998; 129: 301-11). Poor oral health is also related to stroke, peripheral vascular disease, diabetes and preterm pregnancy.
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