FitSugar

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 Brush Your Teeth at Work?

FitSugar — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 04:30:57 -0700

Brushing your teeth regularly is a great habit to start. I'm sure you brush in the morning and before bed at night, but what about when you're on the job?

How Long Do You Spend Brushing Your Teeth?

FitSugar — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 14:23:55 -0700

You treat your body right by exercising and eating well, but are you spending enough time ensuring your mouth is healthy? According to NYC-based dentist Dr. Nancy Rosen, a sufficient dental hygiene routine includes brushing your teeth for two to three minutes and one to two minutes of flossing. Could you use brushing up on your brushing sessions?

Health Tip: Don't Brush After Acidic Drinks

FitSugar — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 10:00:00 -0700

You think you're doing something healthy by brushing your teeth right after slurping a soda, but you're doing more harm than good. The combination of the acid in the soda and the abrasive action of brushing can actually erode your tooth enamel, which can lead to cavities. So instead of reaching for your toothbrush after drinking acidic drinks such as soda, citrus juices like lemonade, or sport drinks, reach for some water to sip on instead. It'll help rinse the acid from your teeth. Or chew gum since it encourages the production of saliva, which neutralizes the acid in your mouth. Then afterward, feel free to brush.

Source

Two Minutes to a Healthier You

FitSugar — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 12:00:00 -0700

Dental hygiene seems simple, but new research shows that brushing and flossing goes more than mouth deep. When you're brushing your teeth (most of you do it twice a day), you're not only cleaning your pearly whites and promoting gum health, but you're also taking steps to prevent having a heart attack.

A study measured the bacteria levels in the mouths of heart attack survivors compared to participants without histories of heart problems and discovered more germs in the mouths of the survivors. According to the researchers, those with the most bacteria of all types in their mouths were the most likely to have had heart attacks.

Building upon previous findings that dental health affects overall health, this newest research goes to show that it really only takes two minutes to a healthier you. All you need are your handy toothbrush, minty paste, and a wheel of floss.

Source

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).

Diet Tip: Rinse With Fluoride to Avoid Snacking

FitSugar — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 14:30:00 -0700

We all love to snack, but sometimes noshing on food in between meals adds up to tons of unnecessary calories. So I've discovered this little tip that not only prevents me from raiding the fridge, but it also helps hinder cavities. I brush my teeth and then rinse with fluoride. After rinsing, you can't eat or drink for 30 minutes, so it'll help curb your desire to snack. Plus clinical studies show that using a fluoride mouthwash can provide extra protection against tooth decay, so it's a win-win.

Source

Professional Teeth Whitening: What You Should Know

FitSugar — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 09:00:00 -0700

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 read more.

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

Get Mental For Dental Health

FitSugar — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 09:00:00 -0700

I recently went to the dentist for a cleaning, and my hygienist loves to talk about dental health (of course). I definitely learned a thing or two. Take this quiz to see if you're taking good care of your pearly whites.

Source

Take the quiz

Getting Toothy With It

FitSugar — Fri, 02 May 2008 12:00:00 -0700

If you're a roller-derby queen or an accident prone klutz, you might come into a situation where this odd, little first-aid fact might come in handy:

If you knock out a tooth, put the tooth in a cup of milk, and head directly to the ER. There is a chance the tooth could be implanted, but time is of the essence. The longer the tooth is out the lower the chances of it surviving the blow.

Source