WE USE IT DAILY TO CLEAN OUR TEETH and freshen our breath, but did you know there are many other everyday uses for toothpaste? Here are a few:

Cleaning, Polishing, And Removing Stains

A little toothpaste can help remove stains from clothes and carpet, crayon from walls, scuffs from shoes, and soap scum from the shower. You can polish chrome faucet fixtures, jewelry, and even your finger and toenails!

Deodorizing

Have a plastic bottle that smells like sour milk? Are your hands smelly after handling onions or fish? Scrubbing with toothpaste can help get rid of unpleasant smells.

Restoring Car Headlights

Itch And Pain Relief

Want to soothe the pain or itching caused by a bug bite or simple burn? It has also been said that toothpaste can help reduce the size and discomfort of cold sores and zits.

Defogging Mirrors And Goggles

Rubbing a little toothpaste on a mirror, glasses or goggles and then rinsing the surface clean can help prevent fogging. Eureka!

Filling Nail Holes In Walls

Don’t have drywall paste on hand or time to run to the hardware store? No problem. Fill in the holes with toothpaste and let it dry. You can even paint over it.

A Little Toothpaste History

Before You Go Crazy With The Toothpaste…

There are LOTS of accounts out there of people using toothpaste for the purposes above AND others. But, we haven’t tried them all ourselves! So here’s our little “disclaimer”!

If you’re going to try any of these ideas use white, non-gel toothpaste AND be sure to do your own research first! Just Google your idea before you start—there are tons of step-by-step instructions and testimonials out there!

Do you have another use for toothpaste that you’ve tried? Share it with us below!

We hope this was fun for you (and informative). Thanks for being our awesome patients!

NEARLY ALL OF US EXPERIENCE bleeding gums at some point in our lives. But don’t assume it’s no big deal. Gum disease can have serious consequences including pain, chronic bleeding and tooth loss. It has also been linked to a number of total body health conditions including Alzheimer’s.

Skipping The Floss Can Increase Dementia Risk

A recent study of over 5000 retirement community members found that NOT brushing daily could increase the risk of developing dementia up to 65%. Other research supports the correlation between tooth loss and Alzheimer’s. Some researchers theorize that because tooth loss and sensitivity may contribute to poor eating habits, that also affects brain health. And, Alzheimer’s patients are more likely to neglect their personal dental care. However, even with these other variables removed, there seems to be a strong link.

Miles Of Floss

How Oral Bacteria Hurts Your Brain

When you experience gum irritation and bleeding you essentially have an open wound and bacteria from your mouth can enter the rest of the body through your bloodstream. In one British study, traces of P. gingivalis were found in brain tissue of those afflicted with Alzheimer’s. It may be that the bacteria creates brain inflammation, causing dementia. It could also be that it triggers an immune response which attacks healthy brain cells.

Take Care Of Your Body By Taking Care Of Your Gums

Taking care of your gum health is an important part of overall health. Follow these steps for a healthy mouth and a healthy brain:

1. Brush every day.
2. Floss every day.
3. Don’t postpone your regular cleanings.

Do you have someone you care about who could benefit from this information? Share the message and remind them to floss!

Thanks for your trust in our practice. We appreciate you!

YES, SNACKS AND DESSERTS ARE BOTH TEMPTING AND TASTY! But they can wreak havoc on your teeth. For your smile’s health, when it comes to sweets, consider what and when you eat.

One Option… Don’t Save Dessert For Last!

When you finish off a meal with something sweet, the starch and sugar may end up camping out on your teeth longer while your saliva works to wash it away. Eating other kinds of foods last—such as fruits, vegetables, cheese—speeds up the cleansing process and reduces the amount of time your smile is exposed to potentially harmful substances.

Start Making The Shift To More Smile-Friendly Desserts And Snacks

We understand… Eliminating all sweets isn’t easy! The good news is that it probably isn’t necessary either. However, you can better avoid their negative effects by eating less of them. Try eating snacks that both you AND your smile will like, including:

• dairy products like cheese and yogurt
• hard-boiled eggs, raw peanuts, almonds
• fresh fruits and vegetables
• pumpkin and sunflower seeds
• sugar-free gum

Whether they’re increasing saliva flow, providing smile-friendly vitamins and minerals, or neutralizing acid produced by plaque, the foods above can help prevent tooth decay. And they’re delicious too!

Easy Action Items:

Mom was right…

1. Limit the amount of sweets you eat.
2. When you DO eat something sugary, eat it before or with something else.
3. Clean your teeth after snacks and meals.
4. Keep up routine checkups.

Again, thank you for the continued trust you place in our practice. We appreciate you!