Baking soda and a pinch of salt! They can save you lots of dough.
Heres why: Certain bacteria that commonly reside in our mouths often combine with food particles to form a hard plaque (calculus) between the teeth and gums. As the plaque builds up, it may cause pockets of inflammation to develop. If the condition is neglected, teeth begin to loosen as the gums recede, and the breath becomes acrid. To save the teeth, it is often necessary to undergo expensive and uncomfortable surgery to remove the plaque and treat the inflammation.
Ordinary brushing and flossing are not always enough to prevent this condition. And, most American seniors have gum disease. So, is there an effective means of preventing it or at least dealing with it if you already have the condition?
Some periodontists (dentists who specialize in gum disease) think that in addition to brushing and flossing, a simple regimen involving baking soda, salt, and peroxide significantly lessens the accumulation of plaque. Researchers at the National Institutes of Health, who first reported the method, have verified the effectiveness of the ingredients as bacteria- killers, at least in the test tube.
Heres how it works:
Put a small quantity of baking soda in a container and moisten with just enough hydrogen peroxide to form a thick paste. Hydrogen peroxide is inexpensive and can be bought at any drugstore without prescription. Smear the paste along the gums, front and back, and between the teeth.
