We began manufacturing and distributing the first commercially available stainless steel tongue cleaner in the USA. Distributed to health stores and dental practices nationwide, this best-seller is now a household name in the health industry.

Next we brought you the clinically-proven Ionic toothbrush that positively removes plaque! Our REJUV for gums has proven to be one of the most effective gum treatment formulas available today.

Now we bring you Dr. Tung’s gum brush, designed for receding and sensitive gums; the innovative Smart Floss, proven to be up to 40% more effective than regular floss; and our patent-pending Snap-On Toothbrush Sanitizer that uses natural agents to keep toothbrushes hygienic and fresh.

Yes. Teeth, breath and gums love Dr. Tung’s!

“Oral Health in America: A Report of the Surgeon General” confirms that the signs and symptoms of life-threatening diseases appear in the mouth long before they show up in other parts of the body.

Dental hygienists and other oral health professionals routinely look for signs and symptoms of these diseases, which can be detected during regular oral health examinations. In addition, the presence of periodontal disease (gum disease) has been linked to the development of serious illnesses and conditions such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

Health professionals have long suspected that infections in the mouth can play havoc with the entire body. According to the report, recent studies investigating the relationship between periodontal disease and other health problems suggest that a primary bacteria found in the mouth when periodontal disease is present can enter the blood stream and spread throughout the body. This bacteria can infect the heart, as well as other body organs, and cause inflamed coronary arteries and blood clots, as well as changes in blood pressure and heart rate.

• Approximately 75 percent of American adults have some form of periodontal disease, and the majority of them do not know they have it, because it usually is painless and silent in its early stages.

• Brushing with an ordinary toothbrush and flossing is not enough.

• About 30 percent of adults 65 years old and older no longer have any natural teeth. Having missing teeth can affect nutrition, since people without teeth often prefer soft, easily-chewed foods. Denture wearers also may choose soft diets and avoid fresh fruits and vegetables.

• Periodontal (gum) disease or dental decay (cavities) most often cause tooth loss. Older Americans continue to experience dental decay on the crowns of teeth (coronal caries) and on tooth roots (because of gum recession).

• Oral and pharyngeal cancers, which are diagnosed in some 30,000 Americans each year, result in 8,000 deaths annually.

• Most older Americans take both prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Over 400 commonly used medications can be the cause of a dry mouth. Reduction of salivary flow increases the risk for oral disease since saliva contains antimicrobial components as well as minerals that help rebuild tooth enamel attacked by decay-causing bacteria. Individuals in long-term care facilities – about 5 percent of the elderly – take an average of eight drugs each day.

When it comes to teeth and gums, Dr. Tung’s believe that “prevention is better than a cure.” Tooth and gum problems can literally cost thousands of dollars to remedy, not to mention the pain and discomfort.

Plaque is one of the main causes of tooth decay, and that’s why preventing plaque buildup is so important. In fact our triple approach to oral care seeks to consider all aspects of the mouth – tongue, gums and teeth – and help keep them healthy and plaque-free.

“I’ve been a hygienist for 25 years and have used several of the better power brushes – Rotadent, Sonicare, Utrasonex, etc. Until now Rotadent has been my brush of choice... Since using the hyG Ionic I have had to change my mind. This brush even keeps my night guard free of plaque!” Barbara Wagner, R.D.H., Chicago, IL

Not everyone wants to spend $100 on a toothbrush--and now you don’t have to! You see, the Ionic toothbrush is just 1/4 the price of a Sonicare – and it's the only toothbrush with patented Ionic technology.

This is what Shirley Jenkins writes:

“My teeth have improved so much since using the Ionic toothbrush, my hygienist is amazed. I am 54 years old and have spent a fortune keeping my teeth, as I am one of those people that has a terrible time with plaque build-up and gum problems. When visiting the hygienist, she usually needs a “jack hammer” to remove the plaque, but there was very little this time, and the deep pockets are going away.”

The Ionic toothbrush is clinically proven to remove plaque far more effectively than a regular toothbrush and to dramatically improve gingival health. This means healthier teeth and gums, which for Maysel from Portland, means much lower dental bills.

“When I recently went to the dentist for a checkup, he congratulated me on how clean my teeth were, with no plaque or cavities. I’m a 95 year old woman, so I appreciate a toothbrush that helps me save money on dental bills!” Maysel E., Portland, Oregon

According to the latest Surgeon General’s report, 48 percent of adults aged 35 to 44 have gingivitis, and 22 percent have destructive gum disease. About 30 percent of adults 65 years and older have no teeth! The report also says that “most older Americans take both prescription and over-the-counter drugs. In all probability, at least one of the medications used will have an oral side effect – usually dry mouth. The inhibition of salivary flow increases the risk for oral disease.”

Think what it will cost to get dentures, or have gum surgery! Following a good dietary and hygiene regimen today is important for the future of your teeth and gums. So visit your dentist regularly, and consider adding the conditioning and moisturizing REJUV for gums and the patented Ionic toothbrush to your daily regimen.

(With Michael J. Olmstead, D.D.S.)

What happens in our mouth can affect our health, our lives, and even our children.

Sound a little far-fetched? Not according to Dr. Mike Olmstead, D.D.S., a well-known dentist who has appeared on numerous radio talk shows over the past few years and is featured in the upcoming “Doctors Book of Alternative Remedies” by Rodale Press.

“Latest dental research shows that there’s a relationship between bacteria in the mouth and disease in the body. To me this seems logical and easy to understand. For instance, nasty oral bacteria and their waste products can be swallowed, or can enter the blood stream or lymph system through the gums, thereby causing all sorts of health problems.”*

That’s no understatement!

One study showed that pregnant women who have periodontal disease are seven times more likely to have a premature, underweight baby. So gum disease can directly affect the health of your baby. It appears that periodontal disease triggers increased levels of the biological fluids that induce labor, causing the baby to come early and underweight.*

MEN TOO!
If you’re a man and think that only pregnant woman are at risk, think twice! Yes, twice--because research has shown that people with periodontal disease are twice as likely to suffer from heart disease than those without periodontal disease. Several theories exist to explain this link between the heart and the gums. For example, oral bacteria may enter the blood stream and attach to fatty plaques in the coronary arteries, thus contributing to plaque formation. Periodontal disease also increases the body's amount of fibrinogen (a potent natural clotting agent in the blood stream). Of course this would increase the chance of blood clots and the possibility of a debilitating stroke.*

OK, so you don’t have periodontal disease, and therefore you’re safe, right? Well, not so fast! Periodontal disease affects 4 out of 5 Americans, according to information released by the American Dental Association. This figure is also confirmed by the recent Surgeon General’s report on Oral Health. Younger adults are also badly affected. According to the report, 48 percent of 35 to 44 year-olds have gingivitis, and about half of these have destructive gum disease, and like almost everything except wine, it worsens with age.*

DIABETES, PNEUMONIA
Gum disease is also linked to diabetes and respiratory diseases. Virtually all diabetics have gum disease and research indicates that the relationship between periodontal disease and diabetes goes both ways. Even in non-diabetics, periodontal disease can increase blood sugar and thus contribute to the body having a high blood sugar level for longer periods of time than normal. So even though most people brush and floss and visit their dentists, they may not be following the routine consistently or are using toothbrushes that don’t remove plaque effectively.*

NO PLAQUE, PLEASE!
“If you brush your teeth and still need a thorough cleaning when you go for a checkup, then the toothbrush can’t be doing its job properly, can it?” asks Dr. Olmstead.

“What I recommend,” says Olmstead, “is that people visit their dentist regularly, and start using a toothbrush that will remove more plaque than can be removed by friction alone. My favorite toothbrush is Dr. Tung’s Ionic toothbrush, which works with or without toothpaste, and actually makes teeth repel plaque, unlike a mechanical or electric brush which tries to scrub plaque off the teeth. Also, this brush is silent and doesn’t vibrate, so it's comfortable for all users. It's also important to note that toothbrush trauma is one of the primary causes of gum recession, so this frictionless Ionic action is a great breakthrough.”

So how does such a technological marvel work? “We learn in dental school that plaque and teeth have opposite charges,” says Olmstead, “and we know that opposites attract. This brush simply reverses the attraction while you’re brushing, so that teeth will repel plaque rather than attract it.” Simple, he says? Well, the principle may be simple, but it took some inventive minds to create it and make it as small and comfortable to use as a regular toothbrush.

Even periodontists are delighted with this advanced Ionic toothbrush. Dr. D.E. Van Scotter did extensive research on the Ionic brush at Marquette University School of Dentistry. As a periodontist he knows what a plaque-free tooth should look and feel like and has personally found that difficult to reach molar areas are much cleaner and his mouth fresher since using this toothbrush. This is to be expected, as the double-blind research at Marquette showed that the group using the Ionic brush had a highly significant reduction in plaque and a dramatic improvement in gingival health.

“The build-up of bacteria-laden plaque leads to gum problems, and eventually to gum disease,” says Olmstead. "Remove the plaque, disallow its build-up, and you’ll have healthier teeth and gums. You can live a healthier and longer life.”

PREVENTION IS BEST
To live you need to breathe. So breathe fresh air and not polluted air. Some respiratory infections such as pneumonia may be acquired from “oral pollution”. The mouth and throat contain bacteria. Through aspiration (inhaling), fine droplets laden with this bacteria enter into the lungs, where they breed and multiply, causing pneumonia or other respiratory ailments. Therefore, preventive oral hygiene measures are important in making sure that your mouth is free of the plaque upon which the “nasty” bacteria thrive.

“Prevention is better than cure” is an old and very wise dictum, and very appropriate in the realm of oral care. It's not much fun having periodontal disease, and it can affect our overall health, yet for the most part it seems to be quite preventable. Only a few simple steps are required. So follow a good hygiene routine, see your dentist regularly, and use a better toothbrush. After all, you’re only spending a minute or two brushing your teeth, and you want to make sure that you’re removing the most plaque possible in the most efficient way.

EXPERIMENTATION IN PLAQUE CONTROL IN THE INTERPROXIMAL SPACES USING DENTAL FLOSS: Genoa University, Medicine & Surgery Faculty, Preventive Dentistry dept. January 2004

Smart Floss, which expands during use and, specifically, when subjected to mechanical tension delivers better interdental plaque removal and helps reduce gingival bleeding.

TRIAL OBJECTIVES
Verification of the efficacy of Smart Floss dental floss by comparison with other marketed dental floss types.

TRIAL MATERIALS & METHODS
The supposed efficacy of Smart Floss was verified by comparison with three of the most widely used and marketed types of dental floss, in order to verify which was best suited to the needs of the patients examined.

The trial involved 40 patients divided into 4 groups.

1. The first group used a waxed dental floss (green container), with the following technical characteristics: Regular, PA 6.6, Dtex 940/136, similar to Oral B traditional waxed dental floss.

2. The second group used a monofilament dental floss (light blue container), with the following technical characteristics: PTFE, Dtex 1200, folded, slightly waxed similar to Crest Glide Floss.

3. The third used a fine dental floss (neutral container), with the following technical characteristics: Fine, PA 6.6, Dtex 700/104), similar to Butler Fine unwaxed floss.

4. The fourth group used Smart Floss floss (white container).

The bacterial plaque index – applying O’LEARY’s (PCR) technique, using a bi-tonal plaque indicator – was measured in each patient at the beginning and end of the trial:

The patients did not have professional oral hygiene care but were instructed in oral hygiene technique with the use of toothbrush and dental floss.

The patients were re-examined after two weeks.

All patients had integral anatomical papillary structure. They were not informed of the type of dental floss used.

TRIAL CONCLUSIONS
All patients showed clinical improvement from the first to the second examination two weeks later, independent of the type of dental floss used.

The inter-group differences are significant, in particular with reference to the plaque index: the use of Smart Floss delivered a mean reduction of almost 70%, notably superior to other flosses.

Further, Smart Floss was more efficacious with respect to the other dental flosses in the removal of dental plaque in patients with moderate to severe parodontitis.

OBSERVATIONS
Smart Floss users showed superior plaque reduction - between 33.9% and 58% better than each of the 3 individual flosses (43.92% better than the average of the other three dental flosses).