Is your Oral Health in good shape?

Thu, 10 May 2012

Pregnancy is a very exciting time in a women’s life, whether it’s the first baby or the third. During this time a woman may see many changes in her body as her physical state will continuously change throughout gestation. The ability of a the body to alter its physical state to support and nurture the development of a baby is a miracle in itself.

However, the demands of pregnancy may often lead to particular dental problems in some women and as a health conscious nation we know all about keeping our bodies in tip top shape. Why is it then, that so many of us neglect our oral wellbeing during pregnancy, especially considering that pregnancy can lead to an increased risk of gum disease and tooth decay.

According to Dr Hoosen, leading Johannesburg-based Dentist, “The increased levels of progesterone and oestrogen in your body can cause gums to soften and bleed leaving you more susceptible to gum disease, sensitivity and other tooth problems. During pregnancy your blood flow also tends to increases, which can lead to an increased blood flow to your gums that may cause complications.”

Recent statistics reveal that the average person’s body is 50-percent healthier than their mouths, which is strange considering the effect our teeth have on our general feeling of hygiene. It is therefore vital that we start paying the same attention to our mouths as we do our physical health, especially considering the increased risk of gum disease and tooth decay during pregnancy.

The good news is that with proper hygiene at home and professional help from your dentist, your teeth should remain healthy throughout the pregnancy. So isn’t it time we introduced the latest technology to our mouths as well? By upgrading the health of your mouth and getting your oral hygiene into tip top shape you can reduce the chances of increased gum disease, tooth decay, bleeding gums – issues that many pregnant women face daily.

As health conscious South Africans we know all about keeping our bodies in tip top shape and if we can use the latest gadgets to improve on our levels of fitness, then so much the better. Why is it then, that so many of us neglect our oral wellbeing during pregnancy, especially considering that pregnancy can lead to an increased risk of gum disease and tooth decay.

Recent statistics reveal that the average person’s body is 50-percent healthier than their mouths, which is strange considering the effect our teeth have on our general feeling of hygiene. It is therefore vital that we start paying the same attention to our mouths as we do our physical health, especially considering the increased risk of gum disease and tooth decay during pregnancy. With this in mind, surely it’s time to upgrade the health of our mouths?

“Taking care of your oral health is crucial during your pregnancy. The increased levels of progesterone and oestrogen in your body can cause gums to soften and bleed leaving you more susceptible to gum disease, sensitivity and other tooth problems. During pregnancy your blood flow also increases, which can lead to an increased blood flow to your gums that can cause complications. Many pregnant woman suffer from pregnancy gingivitis - combined gum disease and sensitivity - which left untreated could affect both mother and baby,” explains Leading Johannesburg-based Dentist, Dr Hoosen.

“Research suggests that, while we are happy to spend up to an hour or more exercising, most of us do not brush our teeth for the recommended two minutes twice a day. When brushing manually, brushing performance is influenced by people scrubbing their teeth, applying too much pressure, brushing well below the recommended two minutes and at times, not brushing day and night. agrees and says Dr Hoosen.

“For this reason, I often suggest that my pregnancy patients upgrade to a power toothbrush, which delivers a healthier mouth. Brushing using a power brush is more effective than using an ordinary manual toothbrush and gives a dentist-fresh feeling that is, thanks to the latest technology, easy to achieve and upgrades your oral care routine instantly,” adds Dr Hoosen.

Dr Hoosen recommends the latest power toothbrush from Oral-B, the Oral-B® Triumph® 5000 which uses oscillating-rotating technology that has been clinically proven to remove twice as much plaque as manual toothbrushes. The increased efficiency of the product’s brushing action also keeps other oral health problems at bay, helping to prevent the build-up of tartar, plaque, cavities and gum problems. It vital that pregnant women follow a proper hygiene routine while pregnant in order to ensure that your teeth remain healthy, especially considering that gum disease not only affects your oral health but may also point to health effects of periodontal disease that go well beyond your mouth!”
Ensuring you give your teeth two minutes of attention day and night is also made easier thanks to Oral-B® Triumph® 5000 with SmartGuide™’s power toothbrush timer, as well as a wide range of additional features for a superior clean. Furthermore, the rotating oscillating action does all the hard work for you, given that you only need to guide the toothbrush gently along your teeth and gums for an effortless clean.

The Oral-B® Triumph® 5000 with SmartGuide™ also takes brushing to the next level by offering an interactive personal cleaning coaching in terms of brushing the correct length of time, giving all areas of the mouth equal attention and at the right pressure. It’s little wonder then that studies have shown that over 90-percent of people who have tried power brushing have been so impressed with the results that they will never consider going back to using a manual toothbrush.

The Oral-B® Triumph® 5000 with SmartGuide™ has been proven to help people to:
1. Brush longer: Patients were on average five times more likely to brush for the recommended two minutes twice per day,
2. Brush with less pressure: Some 93-percent of patients reduced excessive force within 30 days (harsh brushing is a main cause of gum recession and sensitivity),
3. Brush more thoroughly: Around 92-percent of patients significantly improved the thoroughness of their brushing within 30 days.

From body fat analysers replacing basic weighing scales to the arrival of pedometers implanted in shoes which transmit speed and step information, we’ve embraced the use of gadgets to supercharge our fitness regimes. Isn’t it time we introduced the latest technology to our mouths? Upgrade the health of your mouth and get your oral hygiene into tip top shape today.


FACTSHEET:

1. Looking after our health and wellbeing is made easier with technology. Innovations such as body fat analysers replace basic weighing scales, while the arrival of pedometers implanted in shoes that transmit speed and step information help to supercharge fitness regimes. Now more than ever before, we understand the positive impact that technology can bring to our lives – so why not extend this to upgrade our oral health? Today’s busy individuals are always on the lookout for the latest gadgets to simplify their lives, Oral-B® Triumph® 5000 with SmartGuide™ power brush allows you to get that ‘dentist clean’ feeling every single day, without any extra effort.

2. Oral-B’s power toothbrushes use oscillating-rotating technology that has been clinically proven to remove twice as much plaque as manual toothbrushes. The increased efficiency of the brushing action also keeps other oral health problems at bay, helping you to prevent the buildup of tartar, plaque, cavities and gum problems.


3. A study in Europe was conducted on 16 650 candidates from the largest gym in Europe. Members of the gyms were asked to participate in the Oral-B Fitness Test. Participants received an in-gym dentist checkup, courtesy of Oral-B, along with a one month free trial of the latest Oral-B® Triumph® 5000 with SmartGuide™ power toothbrush. Once the trial period was over, participants were offered a follow-up check-up with the same dentist to assess the improvement in their oral health. Following the Oral B Fitness Test results and testimonials were collated and analysed, results found:

• Brush longer - Patients were on average five times more likely to brush for the recommended two minutes twice per day
• Brush with less pressure - 93% of patients reduced their excessive force in 30 days
• Brush more thoroughly - 92% of patients significantly improved their brushing thoroughness in 30 days
• Oral-B® Triumph® 5000 with SmartGuide™ is proven to help people with the following vs. a regular manual toothbrush
• 90-percent of people who have tried power brushing have been so impressed with the results that they will never consider going back to using a manual toothbrush.
• Research has shown that most people do not brush their teeth for the recommended two minutes twice a day

4. The Oral B Fitness Test:
• 150 toothbrushes were provided for testing
• 117 active testers providing feedback
• 360 opinions were recorded
• Oral B received 120 responses to a questionnaire


About Procter & Gamble:
Four billion times a day, P&G brands touch the lives of people around the world. The company has one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Pampers®, Tide®, Ariel®, Always®, Whisper®, Pantene®, Mach3®, Bounty®, Dawn®, Gain®, Pringles®, Charmin®, Downy®, Lenor®, Iams®, Crest®, Oral-B®, Duracell®, Olay®, Head & Shoulders®, Wella®, Gillette®, Braun® and Fusion®.
The P&G community includes approximately 127,000 employees working in about 80 countries worldwide. Please visit http://www.pg.com for the latest news and in-depth information about P&G and its brands.

Give Baby the Five Star Treatment

Thu, 29 March 2012

Every mom wants to do what is best for her baby but she is constantly confronted with conflicting advice, making it hard for her to know where to begin. For this reason, leading nappy brand, Pampers® has compiled a five star panel of experts to identify how mom can give baby the best possible experience to nurture her development.

Carefully selected to provide invaluable advice on what is best for baby, Dr Mpofu (dermatologist), Dr Hetan Hari (paediatrician), Sister Lilian (parenting expert), Leanne Manas (award-winning TV presenter and mom) and Natasha Clark (parenting blogger) have gathered to provide mom with guidance on how to give baby the five star treatment. Together they agree that caring for baby’s skin is one of the very best things mom can do for baby.

Sensory Alert

“Your little one’s sensory experiences shape the way in which his brain and nervous system grow and mature. Crawling, touching, smelling, seeing and hearing brings baby into contact with new sensory experiences that guide his development. By taking care of his skin mom ensures that baby can explore his world without the distraction of discomfort,” advises leading paediatrician, Dr Hetan Hari.
“An infant’s nervous system is more sensitive to touch than mom or dad’swhich means they experience most stimulimore intensely and every experience feels ‘larger than life’. The skin of a newborn differs from that of an adult or older child because it is thinner and more permeable, making it particularly susceptible to extrinsic factors such as dampness. As a result, discomfort in the nappy area can be quite an unpleasant and distressing experience for baby. Therefore a baby’s skin and sensory state requires extra special consideration, especially in the first few years,” adds Dr Hari.

Fellow panellist, TV presenter and mom, Leanne Manas has some experience in this area and she says, "Shortly after my son was born he developed nappy rash and I remember this being quite a traumatic time.
It was so heart-breaking to see my newborn baby suffering from discomfort at such a young and tender age. This experience taught me a valuable lesson on the importance of skin protection for babies."

Sensitivity Zones

Dermatologist, Dr Mpofu concurs and highlights the danger zones: “Baby’s delicate skin is extremely vulnerable and as a result, nappy dermatitis occurs in 20% of children under the age of two. The good news is that it can be prevented by protecting baby’s skin, particularly in the nappy area. To ensure baby does not suffer from the discomfort associated with these forms of dermatitis, it is essential to maintain dryness in the diaper zone by limiting the contact of baby’s skin with urine and faeces. This serves to effectively prevent the resulting maceration, or saturation of the skin.”

This is a fact that mommy blogger and panellist, Natasha Clark knows well: “When I had my first baby, Noah, I was very naïve about nappies and skin protection for babies, and I had a lot of issues trying to prevent his nappy rash. Some days I had to leave him without a diaper all together, so that his skin could breathe, and you can just imagine the resulting mess and spills. I tried all sorts of home remedies including cutting out fabric softener - I really am not exaggerating when I say that I tried EVERYTHING. Eventually, I found that using a premium nappy brand gave his skin the protection I was looking for," says Clark.

Advice for Demanding Skin

Leading parenting expert and five-star panellist, Sister Lilian offers the following advice to moms wishing to protect baby’s demanding skin: “ After baby’s bath, use an ultra-soft towel to gently pat dry baby’s skin and avoid rubbing as this could irritate baby’s delicate skin.
On sunny days, protect baby’s vulnerable skin by keeping them in the shade, clothing them in cool yet protective garments and ensuring they are wearing a high factor UV sun screen
specially formulated for baby skin.”

“Alternatively in winter, protect baby’s skin from cold temperatures and strong winds by ensuring they are well wrapped up against the elements if you go outside. And remember to dress baby in soft, loose fitting, comfortable clothes. This will enable baby to move freely, promote better air circulation and prevent your baby from feeling uncomfortable during the day and night,” Sister Lilian concludes.

Pamper Your Little Star

As a mom, you want to do the very best for your baby, so ensure your little star is experiencing her world in a happy and comfortable manner by giving her skin the five star treatment. Not only will you be guidingbaby’s development, but you’ll enjoy the delicate softness of her skin for longer too. Pampers®knows that moms want do what is best for baby, which is why the premium nappy brand has developed a diaper that offers five star skin protection. So look out for Pampers® Premium Care on shelf in a supermarket or pharmacy near you, and give your little star the five star treatment.

Click here to read Top Tips from the Pampers 5 Star Expert panel

For more information from our 5 Star Expert Panel,tips on how to ensure the wellbeing of your baby’s skinor to share your own experiences, visit www.pampers.co.za.

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