Did you know that neem is one of the products used in oral healthcare in developing countries? For example, India has been using the neem tree and its products to create toothbrushes for centuries. A person chews one end of the neem twig until it somewhat resembles the bristles of a toothbrush, and then uses it to brush the teeth. And chewing sticks made from the neem tree are a common form of oral hygiene tool used in the Middle East in addition to other parts of the world. But another interesting fact is that there is some science supporting the use of this product. According to the Department of Preventive Dental Sciences at the College of Dentistry in Saudi Arabia, several studies have revealed that there are in fact anti-plaque, anti-cavity and antibacterial effects from using these sticks. For this reason, developing countries recommend using chewing sticks as oral hygiene tools for improved dental and health promotion. However, it is also important to note that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has yet to endorse any neem-based products.

So what is neem? Neem, a tree in the mahogany family that grows in tropical and semi-tropical regions, is native to India, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan. In addition to being used as a toothbrush or as a chewing stick, the neem tree has been revered as the “village pharmacy,” because of the belief in its many medicinal properties and its holistic power to treat health problems. Every part of this “miracle tree,” as it is often referred to, is used for health benefits including the twigs for toothbrushes, its bark for treating gum disease, its oil for soap, and its leaves for medicinal uses. Neem also has horticultural uses, it is used as a natural pesticide and as a vegetable in certain Hindu festivals.

While it is interesting to learn about products used in other parts of the world, Dear Doctor does not endorse the use of neem-based products or any other products that have not been accepted through the thorough testing and strict guidelines of the FDA and/or the American Dental Association (ADA).

While nearly everyone experiences the first stage of periodontal disease or gingivitis, about 10% of the population goes on to develop destructive periodontal (gum) disease. However, with the proper treatment as soon as possible, you can return to good oral health. One conservative treatment plan your dentist may suggest is root planing—a treatment aimed at cleaning the affected root surfaces to remove bacteria and their byproducts. Together with proper daily oral hygiene, root planing often completely eliminates the need for more invasive gum surgery. It is very effective for helping control inflammation, infection, and helping return your gum tissues to health.

Learn more about this important procedure, from the reasons causing the need for it to the actual procedure and what to expect afterwards in Root Planing.

Technology impacts almost everything we do each day, so why should it be any different when it comes to your toothbrush? While some dentists feel that “it's not the brush as much as the hand that holds it,” the Cochrane Collaboration, an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to providing evidence-based reporting of scientific based studies, found a modest but statistically significant reduction in plaque and gingivitis when comparing powered toothbrush use to manual brushing.

Learn more about their findings so you have all the facts in this consultation article, Manual vs. Powered Toothbrushes.

In addition to helping you maintain good oral healthcare, a simple cleaning makes your mouth feel really fresh. And one of the reasons for this feeling is from the professional polishing of your teeth to remove (bacterial) plaque, tartar (calcium deposits), and stain from the tooth surface above the gum line. This standard of good dental hygiene and preventive dentistry called prophylaxis (from the Greek meaning to guard or protect) is typically included as a covered benefit with dental insurance along with scaling (removal of hard deposits from the teeth above the gums).

Learn more in this consultation article on dental hygiene Teeth Polishing.

While brushing your teeth, have you ever looked down at the collapsible tube and wondered about its history? Many people are surprised to learn that it has been around a lot longer than they think. Dr. Washington Sheffield, a dentist practicing in New London, CT, is widely credited with introducing this household standard after an idea from his son.

While in Paris, France, his son saw artists using collapsible metal tubes for their paints and inks. In 1892 when his son returned home from his visit, he shared the idea with his father—a new mechanism for packaging his father's own brand of toothpaste, Créme Dentifrice. Until this time, Créme Dentifrice had been sold in porcelain jars with family members dipping their own toothbrushes into one household jar before brushing! The newly packaged product became a big success and was much more hygienic. In 1896, Colgate began packaging toothpaste in a tube. And for the last 100+ years, patients world wide have benefited from a tremendous selection of collapsible tube toothpaste products sold everyday...all thanks to Dr. Washington Sheffield.

While your teeth are supposed to last you a lifetime, your toothbrush isn't. Even if properly cared for, the average lifespan for a toothbrush is only 3 to 4 months. Proper toothbrushing—holding your brush with a gentle grip and brushing between the gums and teeth at the gum line to remove bacterial plaque with only a gentle scrubbing motion—is best for your dental health and your toothbrush. After use, rinse your toothbrush thoroughly and let it dry before using it again. When the bristles start to splay, distort, and/or soften, replace your toothbrush. This will generally be every 3-4 months or even sooner if your toothbrush bristles become worn. Following these easy steps will ensure your primary tool for maintaining good oral healthcare remains up for its job—maintaining your dazzling smile!

Have you ever wondered as you stroll the aisles of the grocery or drug store and see the many brands, flavors, and boastful claims of mouthrinses, “Do any of these really work?” As a compliment to daily brushing and flossing some of them can have a positive impact on your dental health. There are many Over-The-Counter (OTC), non-prescription rinses and some prescription rinses, which as you might suspect, are more effective than other mouthrinses in actually enhancing good oral hygiene.

Learn more about the value and variety of mouthrinses in the consultation article Mouthrinses.

Supermarket and drugstore shelves are stacked with myriads of toothpastes from gels and striped pastes to those that promise to whiten teeth or freshen your breath. But what's really in the typical toothpaste? And is it really that important to dental hygiene? This consultation article gives you an in-depth look at toothpaste: what's in them, what can they realistically do for your oral health, and which ones are best for you.

Learn more in Toothpaste.

While you may think all your dentist's dental hygienist is doing is scraping the plaque and tartar you've missed during your regular brushing and flossing, you need to think again. A good hygienist is doing much more, from evaluating your general health to looking for potentially dangerous disease conditions! The hygienist is an important member of the dental staff who can relay information to the dentist on the condition of your mouth, from abnormal sores or abrasions to excess bleeding around the gums.

For an up close and personal look at the role of a dental hygienist, continue reading this consultation article Dental Hygiene Visit.

Maintaining good oral healthcare involves several factors: daily cleaning with your toothbrush, using a fluoride toothpaste, flossing, and of course routine dental exams and cleanings. Your partners in this effort are your dentist and dental hygienist—the people who typically perform your cleaning. Dental hygienists collaborate with dentists to provide optimal personalized oral healthcare to prevent oral disease and promote your health. They are trained professionals who operate under strict state licensing who need to understand your overall general health in addition to your oral health.

Understand more about these professionals, the cleaning process, and why they play a key part in your oral health in this response to a Dear Doctor email, Dental Hygiene Visit.