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Tips From the Dental Chair

FitSugar — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:00:43 -0800

Sitting in the dentist chair is never pleasant for me. Luckily, my daughters still enjoy the experience - they think a cleaning is like having their teeth tickled. Inspired by their enthusiasm for oral health, I compiled a list of simple tips to make the experience of dental work a little less anxiety provoking.

Keep your eyes open; the visual stimulus will distract you from discomfort or pain.
Even with all those hands in your mouth, try to focus on your breath.
Bring your iPod to block out the noise of the drill.
Come up with a hand signal to alert the dentist when you're in pain, because a sudden movement or twitch can complicate matters.
Be sure to tell the dentist if you are sensitive and/or afraid. Most will be accommodating; if not, I suggest finding a new dentist.
Take a written list of questions and concerns so you don't forget them due to the stress of the visit.

Lay Off the White Wine For Your Teeth

FitSugar — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 09:00:59 -0700

Red wine may be good for your heart, but it looks like white wine is bad for your teeth. It's not the alcohol in the wine that wears away tooth enamel, but the acidity of the wine. Sweet as it may be, Riesling rates lowest on the pH scale, meaning it's most acidic, and therefore worst for your teeth. However, pairing white wine with cheese may help counter the destructive effect. The calcium in the cheese helps neutralize your saliva and halts the acid's assault on your dental enamel. If you're looking to sip tooth-friendly wine, opt for a Rioja or Pinot Noir. But do note, red wine can stain teeth.

Confused About Floss - Which Type Is Best?

FitSugar — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 03:00:40 -0700

Brushing your teeth removes food particles and tartar from the surfaces of your teeth, but we need floss to clean in between your teeth. "You cannot effectively vacuum a house with only one attachment," says American Dental Association spokesman Richard H. Price, DMD. "You need other attachments to get into the nooks and crannies. That's what floss does.”

When picking up floss at the store, it's astounding how many varieties there are. If you're confused about which one works best or is right for your teeth, read more.

Unwaxed: This floss is perfect for teeth that aren't too tight together.
Waxed: If the spaces between your teeth are tight, waxed floss will glide easier.
Tape: This ribbon-like floss is meant for those who have wider spaces between their teeth.
Ultra floss: If the spaces between your teeth vary, this floss is right for you. This yarn-like floss stretches thin to fit between tight teeth but also springs back to be slightly thicker for teeth that have wider spaces.
Flossing picks: If it's tough to reach your back teeth or it hurts your fingers to wrap the floss around, these picks have convenient handles to make flossing easier.

The bottom line is that it really doesn't matter which type of floss you use - as long as you use it. Choose one you like that doesn't damage your gums and use it at least once a day. Flossing not only removes leftover spinach and pesky poppy seeds from in between your chompers, but it's also essential for healthy gums. So the next time you go to the dentist, ask for some samples of different kinds so you can try them out and see which you like best.

Do You Floss Before or After You Brush?

FitSugar — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 09:00:00 -0700

I know this question seems somewhat trivial, but it has sparked an earnest debate at my house and the debate continued here at Sugar HQ. I'm not sure if your answer says anything about your character or commitment to dental health, but folks tend to fall clearly on one side or the other. So tell me . . .

Recession Stress Takes Its Toll on Your Teeth

FitSugar — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 08:00:00 -0700

The jaw is no stranger to stress, and reports of clenched jaws and teeth grinding are up.

Our country's economic woes are taking a toll on our teeth and more and more folks are clenching their jaws. Known scientifically as bruxism, clenching your jaw and grinding your teeth in your sleep can lead to serious dental damage: cracked teeth due to premature wearing of your chompers. No wonder the dental industry is growing during the recession. If you suffer from bruxism, you can recession-proof your smile with a mouth guard, and it is best to get one that is fabricated by your dentist to fit your mouth. While the $200 to $400 cost of a mouth guard may seem pricey, they are considerably cheaper than dental crowns used to cover cracked teeth.

Aside from the economic stress, which we can't really control, other factors that contribute to nocturnally clenching your jaw are in your power to change. Alcohol, caffeine, smoking, and poor sleep habits can all contribute to the problem. So cut back on your vices, and work on creating better sleep habits.

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Eat For Your Teeth

FitSugar — Fri, 22 May 2009 06:00:00 -0700

In addition to brushing twice a day and flossing regularly, you can take care of your teeth by minding what you eat. Here are a few ways to protect your pearly whites when your toothbrush is not close at hand.

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Nontraditional Products to Help Destroy Doggie's Bad Breath

PetSugar — Tue, 12 May 2009 09:00:59 -0700

Is doggie's mouth not so fresh and clean? If so, Fido isn't alone. More than half of PetSugar readers say their dogs have stinky mouth odor. Like humans, grody animal breath may be an aftereffect of a smelly treat, diet or body chemistry. You can take prevention steps by routinely brushing with meant-for-doggies toothbrush and toothpaste. Sadly, it can also be a symptom of greater health problems such as inflammation of soft tissue in the mouth, regurgitation or wart virus, so ask your vet to sniff out possible health concerns if you notice a certain stench.

Vets recommend that you routinely rinse or brush your dog's mouth out to kill major bacteria, but it's not an activity that makes doggie jump for joy. Check out some nontraditional products that will help keep your best friend's breath fresh between standard cleanings when you read more.

Tartar-Reducing Flossies: If doggie hates when you brush his teeth, try Flossies ($7 each). Think of these bones as beefy gum. The tendons make your dog lick his chops as he chews and create a friction to help clean his teeth.
Dental Swipes: Fast and Fresh Dental Swipes ($16) sounds great . . . kinda like a disinfecting wipe for your pets' teeth. The pre-moistened pads have an all-natural combo of peppermint, parsley, and baking soda to fight plaque and bacteria and promote healthy gums and teeth.
Chomper toys: Hard, rubbery toys with ridges and bumps stimulate gums, clean teeth, and keep him rather busy in the process. Braided floss products remove food debris, reduce plaque and tartar build up, and add in fluoride and mint to freshen breath, too.
Pop a breath mint: If you've tried everything (including a check up with the vet), and still don't think your pet is ready for a kissing scene, you might consider stocking up on some breath mints.

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Product Review: Colgate Wisp Mini-Brushes

FitSugar — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 03:30:00 -0700

Perhaps to encourage my after-meal tooth brushing, a friend of mine recently introduced me to Colgate Wisp Mini-Brushes ($8.50 for a pack of 16). Designed for dental hygiene on the go, these one-time-use toothbrushes come with toothpaste built right in - in the form of a "freshening bead" - and a toothpick opposite the brush end.

My initial reservation with these disposable toothbrushes is that they aren't exactly eco friendly. But then again, there are certain times when this gadget could come in handy: in airports after long flights, while camping, or anytime I'm caught without a toothbrush on the go. But the eco unfriendliness wasn't my only problem with these, so read more.

Since the bristles are somewhat stiff, I wanted to be especially careful to brush properly to protect my gums. But at about three inches long, the Wisp Mini-Brush was awkward to use, making it difficult to mimic a normal tooth brushing motion. However, the freshening bead worked well, even without water, adding a nice peppermint flavor without a lot of foam, and the flexible toothpick was great, doubling as a gum stimulator.

I still felt bad throwing all of this waste away, especially since the toothbrush wasn't terribly effective. Not only is the brush itself disposable, but it also comes in excessive packaging, with individual plastic packs per four brushes. I can see these being helpful in emergencies, but I don't think I'd buy them again.

Product Review: Oral-B Triumph Electric Toothbrush

FitSugar — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 09:00:00 -0800

Do you already own and use an electric toothbrush? If not, I'm sure you've had your eye on one, since you know dentists recommend using an electric toothbrush to keep your teeth and gums healthy. I just got the new Oral-B Triumph with Smart Guide ($140). Pricey, yes, but it's a lot cheaper than a filling or a root canal, and a lot more enjoyable. You can print a $15 mail-in rebate found on the Oral-B website.

What makes this toothbrush so great? To find out read more.

The Triumph does all the work for you. It comes with a little wireless digital monitor that has a clock on it, and a little circular diagram that represents the four areas of your mouth. Once you charge your toothbrush, take it off the holder, and turn it on. You'll see the timer on the SmartGuide display begin. After every 30 seconds, the toothbrush vibrates to let you know it's time to move to a different area of your mouth, and you'll also see the circular diagram flash as well. Once your dentist-recommended two minutes of brushing are done, it vibrates again. That's it. It's so easy. This toothbrush has actually made brushing my teeth fun, and the best part is the amazingly clean feeling I have after. My gums also feel better, since the vibrating head gives them a nice little massage.

This innovative toothbrush can help you get on the road to good dental habits by encouraging you to brush at least two minutes. It will also alert you if you're brushing too hard, which can lead to gum recession. The little SmartGuide monitor also indicates when it's time to replace your toothbrush head. Another plus is that the Triumph is rechargeable, so you never have to buy batteries. This is the best toothbrush out there. It'd make a great healthy gift, don't you think? Get it through Amazon ($95), Walgreens ($140), or Drugstore.com ($110).

Chocolate That's Good For Your Teeth? Sweet!

FitSugar — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 03:00:00 -0800

Chocolate is one of those foods I always save room for. Not only is it the perfect way to end a meal, but it also has health benefits such as the ability to lower blood pressure and soothe coughs. One problem with chocolate, aside from it being high in calories, is that one of its main ingredients is sugar, so it's not good for your teeth. This problem is being eradicated by two European companies, Barry Callebaut and Smet, who have created the first-ever chocolate that won't cause cavities. That's right. It doesn't cause tooth decay because it's made with a different type of sugar called isomaltulose, which doesn't cause an increase in acidity in the mouth, which can lead to tooth decay. This dentist-friendly chocolate has even been approved by Tooth Friendly International, a nonprofit organization which works to improve oral health.

To see what other surprising foods naturally benefit your chompers read more.

More sweet news for your teeth - it turns out that cheese fights cavities. The texture of cheese increases the secretion of saliva, which helps keep cavities at bay. Also, nutrients found in cheese, like calcium, phosphorous, and protein, actually neutralize plaque. Another food that may benefit your teeth is wine. I know what you're thinking, that red wine can cause staining. But in preliminary studies, drinking red or white wine may fight the bacteria that causes cavities. This is great news for your teeth, but these three foods still contain calories, so you should remember to enjoy them in moderation.