fluoride

Fluoride and Children's Teeth
Water

Too Much of Good Thing: Test Your Fluoride Knowledge!

Maybe there can be too much of a good thing!
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Maybe there can be too much of a good thing! Fluoride, which is added to toothpastes and city water supplies to reduce cavities and tooth decay, is now considered the culprit in a tooth-spotting epidemic that has hit pre-teens and teenagers. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, kids are suffering from fluorosis, a condition that is the result of over-fluoridated water, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is now recommending that local municipalities reduce the amount of fluoride placed into their water supplies. We love seeing our lil ones' pearly whites. Take this quiz to see how much you know about tots and fluoride.

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Stain

Stained Teeth? Coffee Is Not the Only Culprit

We all want our teeth to be bright and white.
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We all want our teeth to be bright and white. There are so many whitening products and toothpastes on the shelves at my local drugstore. Dentists, for a pretty penny, professionally bleach stained and colored teeth.

There's nothing wrong with wanting to have pearly whites, but these products can make your teeth sensitive to cold and hot temperatures. Which can be surprisingly painful, so why not prevent the stains before they start?

If you're concerned about your teeth becoming stained, try to avoid these as much as possible:

  • Coffee, tea, cola, and red wine - consider cutting back if it's not possible to ditch these altogether, and brush your teeth immediately after you drink them.
  • Smoking - Don't you have enough reasons to quit?
  • Certain fruits and veggies - apples and potatoes can stain your teeth, so brush after eating them. Teeth, like people, are unique and not everyone's teeth will react the same way to the same foods.
  • Minerals in the water you drink can also discolor your teeth. Some cities add fluoride to the water supply - excessive fluoride from water or mouthwashes can also cause discoloration.

Fit's Tips: Anything that can stain your carpet can stain your teeth - so brushing after each meal and snack can help prevent stains. Keep toothpaste and a toothbrush in your desk drawer at work, so you can brush after your morning coffe.

Also, make sure to floss your teeth daily and get your teeth professionally cleaned every 6 months. It's good to know that some of these stains can be gently scraped off by your dentist.

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