FitSugar

Do You and Your Kids Practice Good Dental Health?

Leta Shy — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 06:30:32 PST

It's National Children's Dental Health Month, and your kids may be learning all about the mouth at school. What do you know about your teeth and pregnancy, baby teeth, and how to help your lil ones have the best dental hygiene? Take our quiz on dental health to see!

Take the Quiz

Mouthwash Before You Brush?

Kristen Hawley — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 01:00:14 PST

Regular use of mouthwash is a great habit to get into for continued dental health, but my dentist said something that struck me strange last time I visited. He instructed me to use mouthwash before I brushed, not after. "Before?" I asked. "Are you sure?"

Yes, my dentist was sure. He explained that rinsing before you brush loosens food particles and buildup, making brushing even more effective. There's even a market for the stuff, dubbed "prerinse." If you're a mouthwash-aholic like I am, though, it's best to choose a brand (like Crest Pro-Health) with little to no alcohol content since the alcohol can have a drying effect on your mouth.

The only downside of the pre- and post-rinse: I still love that just-rinsed feeling after brushing, so I end up using mouthwash both before and after I brush my teeth - which means going through twice as much mouthwash.

Do You "Cram" Before Going to the Dentist?

FitSugar — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 03:47:12 PDT

Dental hygiene is really an everyday kind of activity. Or rather, a twice a day activity when it comes to brushing. Flossing, on the other hand, is easy to let fall by the wayside.

When you slack on taking care of your gums regularly, your dentist will certainly scold you. Mine did many years ago, and her cautionary tale inspired me to floss regularly. However, I have noticed that my husband "crams" before going to the dentist, just like we both did before college exams. About two weeks before his dental appointment, he suddenly begins flossing twice a day and using special very medicinal smelling (read: unsexy) mouthwash. After he's seen the dentist, his avid flossing goes out the window for another five and a half months.

What about you . . .

A Visit to Blake Lively's Dentist

FitSugar — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 04:30:49 PDT

Sometimes while watching a red carpet event, I am blinded by how dazzling (read: blinding) a celeb's smile can look. I'm thinking they must be doing a little more than the occasional white strip I do myself. Well, according to Blake Lively's dentist Dr. Laura Torrado, it takes more than brushing and flossing to achieve a movie star smile. Torrado recently shared with Us Weekly a few tricks of the trade to get your teeth healthy and beautiful.

Start with white teeth. Torrado says that at-home bleaching kits are more about maintaining an already good-looking smile than lifting years of stains away. To really get a dull smile looking bright and even, she says, invest in a professional whitening treatment.
Be conscious of what foods you eat. Certain foods - like coffee, tea, and red wine - have the ability to stain your teeth. Over time these foods will cause your smile to look dull and brown. Torrado says you can reduce stains from these foods by biting into something that is high in fiber.

See the rest of the tips when you

Brush and floss daily, especially before bed. Hopefully, you're already doing this since it is the most basic (and effective) way to take care of your teeth. Torrado says this is extra important at night when plaque has time to set in.
Know what you put in your mouth. If you can't brush, find a quick in-between replacement like a rinse or gum, but make sure you know what it does. Look for products that are approved to reduce plaque build-up, not just freshen your breath.
Play up the whiteness of your teeth with makeup. The darker your complexion, the whiter your smile will look. Find lipstick shades that contrast or enhance your tooth color. "If your complexion is white, the way to make your teeth look brighter is wearing dark red lipstick with a shine," Torrado says. "If you are medium complexion, like an olive skin, anything with bronze tones enhances the tooth color. And if you have dark skin, then pinkish-reds or high gloss will brighten your teeth."

Dealing With Dental Anxiety

FitSugar — Fri, 21 May 2010 10:30:36 PDT

Do you dread going to the dentist? I know I do! There's not much pleasant about the experience, from sitting in a chair in an uncomfortable position, to the pain often associated with dental procedures, to the pain associated with paying through the nose for the pain - even after insurance! My own dental phobia comes from years of orthodontic work as a kid; I have this crazy memory of the orthodontist announcing that I had "one of the worst mouths he's ever seen." And even though I've had no major problems and I know that regular checkups are vital for dental health, I avoid them, make excuses, and whine and complain every time I have to go.

Here are a few ways to help you relax and make it through your next appointment:

Try sedation. There are different types of sedation options available, ranging from simple nitrous oxide (laughing gas) to full-on general anesthesia. Most insurance plans probably won't cover sedation for routine visits, so expect to pay extra.

For the rest of my suggestions, keep reading

Brushing Your Teeth: Twice Is Nice, but More Is Better

FitSugar — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 03:47:17 PDT

While getting my teeth cleaned the other day, my dentist asked me if I brush twice a day. "Of course. Ever since I was a kid," was my response. But she said that I should bring a toothbrush and toothpaste to work and brush after every meal, three times a day. She added that if I had time, I should brush after snacks and beverages like coffee, too. I know that means a lot of time spent at the bathroom sink, but if you have issues with cavities or bad breath, give my dentist's advice a try. Be sure to use a toothbrush with soft bristles and brush in a circular motion so you don't irritate your gums.

How many times a day do you brush?

What's the Worst Part About Going to the Dentist?

FitSugar — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 05:50:32 PST

For many of us, going to the dentist can be an absolute nightmare. I don't know anyone who likes to go, except my girls - they think the cleaning tickles and they have yet to need a filling. The worst part for me is finding out I have a cavity, because that means I'll have to deal with the painful poking novocaine shot. I guess I'd rather deal with the dentist, though, than lose my teeth.

Sometimes talking about our fears and what we hate can make us feel better, so tell me . . .

Professional Teeth Whitening: What You Should Know

FitSugar — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 09:00:00 PDT

Many toothpaste makers also sell over-the-counter teeth whitening strips to help make your smile dazzle. If you have severe discoloration, these strips may not give you the results you're after. That's when professional teeth whitening may cross your mind, so here are some things you should know.

Your teeth are equipped with an enamel surface that's designed to protect your teeth from the effects of coffee, smoking, wine, and aging. Over the years though, your enamel begins to wear down so it becomes more transparent, and the yellowish color of dentin (your tooth's core) begins to show through. Also with time, tiny cracks form in the enamel that allows debris and stains to sink in, which adds to the dull, grayish color.

When you have your teeth professionally whitened, the stains and debris are removed but the cracks will still remain. That means eventually your teeth will need to be whitened again to get that same desired white smile. People choose this option instead of over-the-counter whitening products because dentists have access to high-concentration peroxide gel, so you can achieve better results in a shorter amount of time. To find out what the risks of teeth whitening are

The downside to professional whitening is that this stronger whitening formula can also cause extreme tooth sensitivity and gum irritation (which can last up to a month), not to mention it's much more expensive (around $650 per dentist visit). Depending on how stained your teeth are and how they respond to the gel, it may take several visits to acquire the whiteness you're after. Plus if you have crowns or porcelain veneers, the whitening won't affect them, so you could end up with what dentists call technicolor teeth (multi-colored teeth).

Fit's Tip: Experts say that teeth whitening is safe, as long as the products are approved by the American Dental Association (ADA). If you're considering professional teeth whitening, it's best to chat with your dentist about your options.

Source

These Dentists Will Give You a Reason to Smile

GiggleSugar — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 01:00:00 PDT

Brace yourself. They're known for giving very thorough check-ups.

Thanks, College Humor!

Are You Getting Enough Fluoride?

FitSugar — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 09:30:00 PST

I went to the dentist the other day for a cleaning, and she asked me if I use mouthwash that contains fluoride. I shook my head and said, "My toothpaste has fluoride in it, isn't that enough?" She didn't think so and clinical studies show that by using both a fluoride mouthwash and a fluoride toothpaste, it can provide extra protection against tooth decay more than if you use fluoride toothpaste on its own. Fluoride can prevent cavities in two ways. It strengthens the protective layer of enamel on your teeth, so it can better resist cavities. It can also reverse low levels of tooth decay and remineralize soft spots on your teeth, which can prevent new cavities from cropping up.

What about fluoride being added to public water? To find out

Even though fluoride can be found naturally in many water sources, many cities add fluoride to tap water. Some believe the extra fluoride can be detrimental to your health, and can cause staining, bone cancer, or mental illness. Others believe that it's doing your mouth good, and that there's no evidence that fluoride can lead to serious health problems. Drinking fluoride is a lot different than rinsing with it though, so is my dentist right? Should I be rinsing with fluoride?

According to the American Dental Association (ADA), the best way to reduce tooth decay is to get fluoride both topically (as in toothpastes and mouth rinses), and systemically (when you drink it). So they're all for fluoride in water, and they say that it can reduce tooth decay in both children and adults by 20 to 40 percent.

So do you need a fluoride rinse? It depends on your dental history (whether or not you're prone to getting cavities), if your town adds fluoride to its water supply, and the recommendation of your dentist. So call your local health department to find out how much fluoride can be found in your public water, and talk to your dentist to see if they think you need to pick up a bottle of fluoride rinse.