History has it that alternative medicine goes back 5000 years to Chinese traditional medicine, Indian (Ayuryedic medicine) and similar healing traditions in many cultures. Today, what we know of as complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has roots going back 5,000 years to Chinese (traditional Chinese medicine), Indian (Ayurvedic medicine) and similar healing traditions. For thousands of years, these diverse medical traditions held a belief in the energy of the body and the need for harmony between mind, body and spirit. Doctor’s simply facilitated the healing process by identifying and removing obstacles.

Throughout most of the 19th century, doctors used the same skills as today’s herbalists, osteopaths and dieticians; they were generous with time and empathy, and relied on a good bedside manner. Prayer was important, as was “a change of air,” laxatives, bleeding and leeches. Right up until the early 20th century, sick people relied on much the same kind of therapies as their ancestors. New medical breakthroughs included the discovery of penicillin, cortisone (a powerful anti-inflammatory medicine), streptomycin (a powerful antibiotic that is effective in treating tuberculosis), insulin (to treat diabetes) and chlorpromazine (an anti-psychotic that controls schizophrenia). Open-heart surgery, hip replacements, kidney transplants, intensive care and successful vaccination programs saved and improved the quality of countless of millions of lives.

This is exactly what happened – with a dramatic explosion in the growth of ‘alternative’ therapies throughout the second half of the 20th century. Alongside modern medicine, CAM began to develop as an entirely separate discipline – contemptuous of the achievements of mainstream medicine, while at the same time dismissed by mainstream practitioners as ineffective and fraudulent. For most people, getting the best from mainstream and alternative medicine was a delicate operation. Those who opted for both mainstream and alternative medical care found that the best strategy was to remain quite to avoid criticism. Those who did try to use both services learnt that in order to avoid criticism.

It is important for everyone to have great dental health. Without good teeth it not only becomes harder for you to eat but it also becomes harder for you to stay healthy. Taking care of your teeth helps you to keep the bacteria in your mouth under control so that they cannot spread and will not cause you harm. Here are five important tips for great dental health:

1. Brushing your teeth helps to control bacteria that are on top of the teeth. These bacteria help to break down food. They also are a major cause of bad breath. Brushing regularly helps remove the excess bacteria helping you to have good breath and strong teeth. An excess of bacteria can harm your teeth and weaken them. When you brush you should use a good tooth brush as well as good toothpaste that will help to kill unnecessary bacteria and avoid infection.

2. Some people are under the impression that flossing is not very important. They brush their teeth very hard and think that they no longer need to floss because they removed all harmful bacteria already. This is not the case however. There are some bacteria in plaque that get caught under the gums. These bacteria can only be removed by flossing. If they are not removed they turn into tartar. Once tartar develops it is very easy for plaque to grow and it is very likely that you will acquire a gum disease. Gum disease causes your gums to recede and weakens the formation of your teeth.

3. Limit your sugar intake and increase your intake of nutritious foods. While sugar is not bad, eating it in excess greatly weakens your teeth and feeds the bacteria which are on them. If sugar is left on your teeth it is very easy for it to break down the tooth and form cavities. Nutritious foods on the other hand, while you still do not want to leaven them on the teeth for too long, can help strengthen the teeth. They do not strengthen them right when they touch them but as the nutrients travel through your body and strengthen it they will also strengthen your teeth.

4. The dentist can see potential problems before they take shape and tell you what to do to avoid them. A dentist can also fix problems such as cavities while they are still small. If you wait too long these cavities could become very large and a much harder process to take care of. A dentist will give you tips on what you need to do to take care of your teeth and they will always make sure that your teeth are not only in good shape, but that they stay in good shape.

5. Mouthwash is not particularly necessary and not all mouthwashes are useful. Mouthwashes containing Listerine our chlorine dioxide are very helpful because they help to kill and maintain the bacteria in your mouth. It can help maintain good breath as well as help maintain strong teeth. Mouthwash cannot do all the work but if your are already brushing, flossing, visiting the dentist and eating well, mouthwash is the cherry on top that will make your dental health great.