Understanding Oral Care Probiotics

What ARE Probiotics

Probiotics are a hot topic in the media today. Want to be more “regular”? Try this yogurt with probiotics. Want to boost your immune health? Try a supplement or another yogurt with probiotics known to support the immune system. In fact, yogurt has long been the delivery system for the beneficial bacteria known as probiotics. So, if you’re the average American who spends time on the Internet or watching TV, it’s likely you’ve heard about probiotics

What Exactly ARE Probiotics?

Probiotics are beneficial bacteria.

There are billions of bacteria in the human body. Actually, it’s thought that there are more bacteria in the human body than the cells that comprise the human body. Most of these beneficial bacteria are basically inert, causing no harm and offering no benefit.

Some of the bacteria in our bodies is harmful. These are what cause your head-cold, your stomach illness and many lesser known health issues.

When  harmful bacteria launch wage war, the beneficial bacteria in the body are right there waiting to fight back. If the beneficial bacteria in your body aren’t prepared to fight off the bad bacteria, you may end up with an infection and a prescription for antibiotics.

The use of probiotics -  be they food additives, supplements or any of the array of products which now include beneficial bacteria – help maintain a healthy balance between beneficial and harmful bacteria in the body.

Probiotics Benefit Mouth, Too

Research has shown that not only are probiotics beneficial for digestive health, they can also affect your oral health. By blending three beneficial bacteria commonly found in very health mouths, researchers at Oragenics, Inc. have created oral care probiotics for the entire family, focusing on maintaining a healthy balance of bacteria in the mouth. EvoraPro is a professional-strength oral-care probiotic meant for use after a professional dental cleaning or scaling. EvoraPlus is an oral care mint, which, when used twice daily, can help support gum and tooth health, freshen breath and naturally and gently whiten teeth. EvoraPlus is blended specifically to address the oral care needs of the those over the age of 10. EvoraKids oral care probiotics are blended to address the oral care needs of children ages 3-10. And even your pets can have fresher breath and whiter, cleaner teeth with Teddy’s Pride oral care probiotics for cats and dogs.

Choosing the Best Toothpaste

Why Whitening Toothpastes May Not Make You Smile

If you think your smile might be less-than-white, you’re probably tempted to try out a whitening toothpaste.

It’s much easier to stain a smile than it is to whiten it. All you have to do is drink staining beverages, like coffee, tea, cola or red wine, or eat staining foods, like blueberries, beets, spinach or chocolate, and your smile can easily start to yellow.

Did you know that the inside of our teeth – called the dentin – is actually yellow? Is it any wonder then that as we age, the outer layer of our teeth – called the enamel – starts to yellow as well?

And it’s only natural that as our smiles start to get a little less than the really white-white we prefer, we want to reach for what seems like the easiest-to-use whitening product – whitening toothpaste. But what if that toothpaste is actually making your smile more yellow in the long run? It could be.

Whitening toothpastes often contain baking soda, an abrasive that is often used to help remove stains on hard surfaces, from your teeth to your kitchen sink. While these toothpastes may make your teeth whiter at first, ongoing use of whitening toothpastes, however, can roughen the surface of your teeth, attracting more stains.

How About Truly Whitening Your Smile?

What if there was something just as simple to use as toothpaste that could whiten your teeth so gently that it could be used every day? Actually, there is. Probiotic mints are great if you are looking for tooth whitening that is simple, quick, effective and safe. EvoraPlus® contains a patented blend of probiotics that releases a gentle, low-dose of natural hydrogen peroxide that whitens teeth while supporting gum and tooth health and freshening breath.

What’s even better is that EvoraPlus probiotic mints are 100% natural and made in the USA. They are safe and effective!

EvoraPlus oral care probiotics are now available online, as well as at many mass market retailers, including Walgreens, CVS, Rite Aid, Hannaford, Sweetbay and many more. Simply visit Evoraplus.com to see a full listing of the retailers carrying this innovative mint.

If you’re looking for a naturally whiter smile, on-going tooth and gum health and truly fresher breath, try EvoraPlus!

Are Harmful Bacteria Winning the War in Your Mouth?

If you’re like most people, you probably brush your teeth at least twice daily, floss as often as possible and visit your dentist whenever it’s recommended. But are you happy with the appearance of your teeth? Are they white enough? And how about your breath? Minty fresh? If you’re not happy with your oral health basics, you’re not alone.

If you’re dedicated to following a pretty good oral care routine and still have stained (or yellow) teeth and bad breath, you may have a bacterial imbalance in your mouth. Like everywhere else in your body, your  mouth is loaded with bacteria. Each of those bacteria have a different story. Some of them are good for your tooth and gum health. Some are harmful. And many just happen to like the warm, wet, dark digs your mouth provides.

The harmful and beneficial bacteria in your mouth are directly at odds with one another. They compete for space on the teeth and food. If the bad bacteria is winning that war, one way you’ll know is in the smell of your breath. The harmful bacteria that reside in the mouth produces volatile sulfur compounds (VOCs) which are best known for their rotten-egg smell. Now, your breath doesn’t have to smell like rotten eggs to know that bad bacteria and VOCs are causing foul play. Bad breath is a sign that things are not right, and one simple way to rectify the situation is to address the bacterial imbalances in your mouth. Oral care probiotics help restore the beneficial bacteria in your mouth, giving those harmful bacteria less food to munch on and less room to grow.

Other signs that bad bacteria are gaining a strong foothold include poor tooth and gum health and bleeding gums.

For the moment, bad bacteria may be winning the battle in your mouth. But you don’t have to let them win the war! Fight back with oral care probiotics!

Don’t Skip Appointments!

Are Regular Dental Cleanings Really That Important?

If you are among of the many who brush twice daily and floss once daily, you might think that it’s OK to cut back on trips to the dentist, which, at best, can involve a small investment in time and money. “It’s just a cleaning,” you may reason, as you cancel your appointment, hoping, perhaps, to get back on schedule the next year.

Even if you are diligent with your at-home oral care, routine cleanings are important, and, as far as dentists and hygienists are concerned, non-negotiable.

4 Reasons Not to Skip a Dental Cleaning

Taking Good Care of Your Mouth Means Taking Good Care of Yourself!

Research is now backing what dentists have long known – those with good tooth and gum health have better heart health, are at a lower risk for having a stroke and are even at a lower risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Having a dental cleaning every six months allows the dentist to ensure that your gums are healthy and that any sign of periodontal disease is addressed as soon as possible to avoid progression of the condition.

Early Treatment is Cheaper & Easier Than the Alternative

Minor dental complications, like cavities, can easily be addressed if they are caught early, and the key to catching them early is having them examined by a dentist at least every six months. Treating common dental and periodontal conditions in their early stages can save a significant amount of time and money.

Keep Your Pearly Whites White

Regular dental cleanings help reduce the accumulation of tooth stains – it’s that simple.

Dentists Screen for Oral Cancer

Screening for this deadly disease is far more simple than treating it. During your cleaning and examination, your dentist is screening your head, neck and the inside of your mouth for anything that might indicate further testing is required for oral cancer.

Affordable Dental Care

Website Shows Facilities That Provide Low-Cost Dental Care

With the economy in a serious slump, many families have found themselves cutting back on spending the past couple of years. Car and home sales have slumped, holiday sales have led stores to cut back on inventory and staff and still many continue to look for ways to cut spending.

Families have cut back on all the extras – gifts, travel, vacations, dining out and then some.

No Expense Spared

One expense that families absolutely should not skimp on, however, is regularly scheduled dental care. In fact, keeping teeth clean and maintained is actually more cost effective than skipping a regular cleaning and potentially risking having a serious problem, like a cavity or early stages of periodontal disease (or gingivitis) going undetected while treatment is easier and more cost effective.

And the reasons for keeping those twice-per-year appointments with the dentist don’t end there. With the many diseases that are now being connected to good oral health, including heart disease, kidney failure, diabetes and more, the importance of regular dental maintenance is becoming even more clear.

Making Dentistry More Affordable

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has created a database to help consumers find dental clinics whose fees are based on a sliding-scale structure. To find a dentist near you whose charges are based on how much money you make, visit http://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/.

A Little Extra Support

Adding an oral care probiotic like EvoraPlus to your regular brushing and flossing schedule can go a long way toward supporting your tooth and gum health. By creating a basecamp of beneficial bacteria on your teeth and below your gum line, oral care probiotics crowd out harmful bacteria normally found throughout the mouth. EvoraPlus offers the added benefits of freshening breath and gradually, safely and 100% naturally whitening teeth.

Paying a little extra attention to the health of your teeth and gums can actually save you money in the long run.

When Whitening Teeth Goes Too Far

Dentists Call Tooth-Whitening Obsession “Bleachorexia”

With literally dozens of over-the-counter tooth-whitening products available, not to mention the availability of professional whitening at the dentist’s office, tooth whitening is all the rage. Even teenagers are seeking that perfectly white smile like they see on TV on their favorite actors and music idols.

According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, tooth whitening is the most requested cosmetic dental service. The dental industry reports hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue each year just from tooth whitening procedures, and each year consumers spend hundreds of millions of dollars on whitening strips, brightening toothpastes and beaching gels. The numbers are staggering.

Is There Such a Thing as Over-Whitening Teeth?

Over-whitening teeth has become so common that it has its own name – bleachorexia.

Dentists say more and more patients arrive in their offices each month with unrealistic expectations for their teeth, wanting pearly whites that are several shades lighter than what’s natural. Whitening is really only meant to remove stains from teeth, not to make teeth gleaming white, like what we see on the movie screens.

What’s the Problem with Over-Whitening?

The bleaching agent in most whitening products is a harsh, chemical hydrogen peroxide, which can pit and etch the tooth enamel. With their roughened surfaces,  peroxide-damaged teeth are far more prone to staining.
With significant overuse, many over-the-counter whitening products can even thin the enamel of the teeth, making them look translucent at the edges.

Luckily, there is a way to gently and safely whiten teeth using a continuous low dose of natural hydrogen peroxide.

Naturally White, Healthy Teeth

Probiotics for Whiter, Brighter Smiles

It’s only natural to want your smile to look as white and healthy as possible. But our lifestyles say otherwise, as so many delicious, antioxidant-rich treats – like berries, teas and coffee – stain the enamel of our teeth.

In fact, anything that will stain a white t-shirt will stain the surfaces of your teeth, so the list is nearly endless, encompassing everything from blueberries to mustard to chocolate and everything in between.

The trick to staying healthy AND maintaining a gorgeous white smile is not to stop eating your favorite foods just because they stain your teeth, but to simply add an oral care probiotic to your daily brushing and flossing routine.

That’s right – by popping a delicious mint into your mouth after brushing, you not only support the colonies of good bacteria in your mouth, you can also get a whiter, brighter smile.

How Do Probiotics Make Teeth Whiter?

The special ProBiora3 blend of probiotics used in EvoraPlus colonizes the surfaces of your teeth with beneficial bacteria. As these bacteria go about their daily business of eating sugars and crowding out other bacteria, they also create a low, continuous dose of natural hydrogen peroxide. Unlike the harsh chemical hydrogen peroxides used in other teeth-whitening products, this low dose of natural hydrogen peroxide creates a gradual whitening with the full benefits of long contact times, delivering 24 hour per day coverage of balancing and brightening.

The low-dose hydrogen peroxide produced by these bacteria created a continuous natural teeth whitening benefit that did not plateau over the duration of laboratory studies. With daily use, the colonization of the beneficial bacteria provides a constant and expanding population for gradual and continual whitening effects.

EvoraPlus Probiotic Mints Deliver a Naturally Healthy White Smile

Beautiful, White Smiles for Summer Brides

Summer, the most popular season to exchange wedding vows, is just around the corner, and with it are thousands of brides attending to the last-minute details of the big day. There are final fittings for the bride’s dress and for her bridesmaids, reviewing the playlist for the reception musicians, and RSVP cards to count.

There is also one major beauty concern of many brides, and that’s a smile filled with gleaming white teeth. A big question in teeth whitening, though, is how to get that bright, white, healthy smile in a way that won’t cause tooth and gum sensitivity, and doesn’t cost a fortune.

Whitening strips and gels are not only known for causing sensitivity, they are messy and sometimes difficult to use. They are an expensive hassle.

And going to the dentist for a laser whitening treatment is time consuming and costly.

One simple, cost-effective way to whiten teeth naturally is by using EvoraPlus oral care probiotic mints.
A natural by-product of the powerful ProBiora3 probiotics featured in EvoraPlus is a low-dose of hydrogen peroxide. As this good bacteria is replenished daily, it creates a gradual whitening with the full benefits of long contact times, delivering 24 hour per day coverage of balancing and brightening.

The ProBiora3 probiotics in EvoraPlus bind to the surface of the teeth, crowding out harmful bacteria by competing for the same nutrients and surface spaces. In laboratory studies, the low-dose hydrogen peroxide produced by these bacteria created a continuous natural teeth whitening benefit that did not plateau over the duration of the study. With daily use, the colonization of the beneficial bacteria provides a constant and expanding population for gradual and continual whitening effects.

Don’t Let Tannins Stain Your Smile

Oral Care Probiotics Naturally Whiten Teeth

Coffee and red wine get a bad rap for their reputation for staining otherwise spotless smiles. When it comes to smile stainers, tea should stand up and join the lineup, along with many fruit and vegetable juices.

Coffee, tea, wine, chocolate and many fruits and vegetables are tooth-stainers due to an antioxidant called tannic acid. Tanic acid, which is more commonly known as tannin, is a naturally occurring “vegetable dye” found in many plants in varying concentrations. Some plants have little and product a light yellow stain if any, while other plants have a richer, darker brown stain.

Tannins are found in beverages such as:

•    coffee
•    tea
•    wine
•    beer and
other alcoholic drinks
•    fruit juices
•    colas
•    cocoa
•    tomato juice
•    and more…

They’re also in foods like:

•    chocolate
•    blueberries
•   tomatoes
•    strawberries
•    nuts
•    cranberries
•    cinnamon
•    fermented foods
•    and more…

Tannins, which have been used for centuries as dyes and inks, react strongly with almost any protein, including the proteins in the teeth.

In their natural state, tannins keep plants healthy by protecting them from bugs, and are known as antioxidants, which protect us from harmful free radicals. Some plants have a lot more tannic acid than others, which accounts for why some foods and beverages, like blueberries and coffee, are more likely to stain than others.

Because these antioxidant-rich foods are so healthy, it’s best not to avoid them simply because they are known to stain teeth. If you are concerned about tooth stains, be sure to brush your teeth after eating and to floss once daily.

Twice daily use of oral care probiotics can also help remove tooth stains caused by tannins in foods and beverages. Because these beneficial bacteria release a continuous, low dose of natural hydrogen peroxide, a known tooth whitener, they work as a natural tooth-stain eraser. Probiotics make it possible to have your antioxidant-rich foods and your whiter teeth too!

Oral Health Changes During Puberty

Why Teens Need to Switch from
EvoraKids to EvoraPlus

As children enter their teen years, many things change – their hair, their skin, their body, and yes, their oral health needs.
On a cosmetic level, many teens start to see tooth staining and are interested in having those bright, white smiles they see on television and in magazines.

Tooth staining in teens can generally be attributed to changes in diet and consumption of staining foods, like coffee and colas.

Bad breath is also a major image issue for teens.

Some of these issues can be attributed to children entering a stage of greater independence as they become teenagers. As kids get older, parents are less likely to nag about tooth brushing or how many sodas their children have consumed during the day.

On the other hand, just like issues with skin and hair, hormones have an effect on what’s going on in a teenager’s mouth. While teens are still very likely to form cavities, they also become more susceptible to bad breath and periodontal disease due to chemical and bacterial changes in the mouth. It stands to reason that as the rest of the body changes, so changes the mouth.

Thus, as they enter their teen years, it’s logical for children to switch from using EvoraKids to using EvoraPlus probiotic mints, which are formulated not just to address gum and tooth health, but also to combat bad breath and to gently whiten teeth.