You slip under the covers, turn off the light, and rest your head on your pillow. Seems simple and perfect, but here are some things you could be doing in bed that harm your health. Grinding your teeth: Formally called sleep bruxism, many people unknowingly clench their jaw or grind their teeth at night, which can lead to tension headaches, earaches, irritated tissue on the inside of your Read more

Researchers have discovered that more than just viruses and germs can be transmitted through the mouth — cavities can be added to this list, yes . . . cavities. According to Dr. Margaret Mitchell, the cavity-causing bacteria is commonly transferred between caregivers and children because a mother will taste her child's food to see if it's too hot, therefore directly exposing her child to the Read more

Watching my friend effortlessly clean her 1-and-a-half-year-old's teeth with an electric toothbrush was all the evidence I needed to get back into using my power tool of a toothbrush. Electric toothbrushes are fun — they feel good and they easily glide through your mouth, making brushing a breeze (don't even get me started on the flossing). I tend to go back and forth between my GUM Read more

It's a given that everyone brushes their teeth daily — and if you don't, there really is no better time like the present! Unlike brushing, flossing habits seem to run the gamut, which is why we asked you how often you floss and an impressive forty-three percent of you said you floss at least once a day — bravo! Flossing is very important to incorporate into your daily routine since lodged Read more

In case you've already forgotten, February is National Pet Dental Health month. So somewhere between the romantic getaways and Oscar bashes you're planning this month, be sure to find time to give your pet's chompers some love! I've given you teeth-cleaning tips in the past, but if you're looking for another primer on doggie tooth brushing, you're in luck: Heidi Ganahl, founder of Camp Bow Wow, Read more

I don't like going to the dentist for many reasons. Aside from the prodding and scraping, I shutter when my dentist asks, "Have you been grinding your teeth?" While I'd love to shake my head and look at her like she's lost her mind, we both know that yours truly has taken to grinding my teeth on occasion. While getting a bite guard is the most often prescribed treatment for bruxism (that's the Read more

Brush, swish, spit. If that's your dental routine, you may want to revise it. While a little brush is better than no brush at all, there are a few simple tactics that one can employ for a whiter and brighter smile. Do your pearly whites a favor and heed some of this advice from Dr. Jonathan Levine. Your smile will thank you. Brush your teeth right when you wake up. Plaque and bacteria Read more

I dread my six-month dental checkup because I know what they're going to say — "You're not flossing, are you?" I know brushing alone doesn't help clean between your teeth, and really I have no excuse except that I just don't do it. Here's some news that'll have us all reaching for the floss. When you don't floss regularly, food gets stuck between your teeth, which turns into sticky plaque and Read more