But you know, these gift ideas are just simple suggestion you can consider if you’re running out of options. At the end of the day, you know your loved ones better than anyone else and so you know what exactly could make them smile. No worries as we’re sure any gift would be appreciated as long as they are from your heart.
Let’s all smile and spread the love! Happy Holidays!
]]>Teeth whitening procedures aren’t usually recommended for children, but there are some kid-safe practices that can help young people maintain healthy and bright teeth. We asked a panel of professionals to share their ideas. Read on to learn more.
Sarah Sherren
Sarah Sherren is the Senior Teeth Whitening Editor for BestCompany.com. She is passionate about researching products and services to inform and empower consumers to make better decisions.
Parents should start by telling their kids that brushing and flossing regularly will make their teeth whiter. It might not be very noticeable, but keeping good oral hygiene habits does keep teeth looking nice. They should also teach kids that sodas and other drinks with dyes could stain their teeth if they drink them a lot.
After turning 12, children are often eligible for at-home whitening kits, and parents should help their kids choose the best type of treatment for them. Looking at teeth whitening reviews can be helpful as well as looking for companies with unique options that will fit their lifestyle.
Daniel Carter
Daniel Carter is the founder of Zippy Electrics. He provides in-depth guides and reviews on a variety of electronic riding gadgets on his blog.
Encourage your kids to eat fruits that are known for improving dental health. That includes pineapple and strawberry. These fruits have the essential components that can contribute to the color of your teeth.
Strawberries contain malic acid, which is known for effective removal of discoloration on teeth, making them look whiter. On the other hand, pineapples have bromelain, which is effective for removing stains on teeth.
Eating any fruit is always a good thing for your oral health as it could help in rubbing off plaque from your teeth as you chew it, and besides the benefit of what fruit can do for teeth, it can also provide essential nutrients the body needs.
Deepak Shukla
Deepak Shukla is the CEO and co-founder of Plant Sumo - a plant-based meal prep service. When he’s not in the kitchen thinking up delicious and fresh vegan meals, you can find him running marathons and completing Ironmen.
First of all, I wouldn’t encourage anyone under the age of 14 to start teeth whitening procedures, and they should only use whiteners with safe levels of hydrogen peroxide.
Ultimately, steering clear of acidic foods, such as meat, soft drinks, and even dairy is going to result in a more sustainable approach to teeth whitening. These acidic foods can cause discoloration and weaken enamel. Once a tooth’s enamel is worn down, it can become susceptible to bacteria, infection, and cavities.
Steering clear of fast and processed foods (which are acidic and high in sucrose) will encourage better tooth health. Plus, it’s important to get enough calcium, but milk can be acidic too. Rich foods like beans and legumes can strengthen enamel and balance your diet. Foods like root vegetables, leafy greens, and celery are also not only nutritious but fibrous to help clean teeth.
If you have to use a whitening product, why not try mashing up strawberries with some bicarbonate of soda to create a safe, easy-to-use home whitening remedy?
Bradley Keys
Bradley Keys, Marketing Director for PatchMD.
The best way for parents to encourage their kids to whiten their teeth is to introduce the dentist as a friend. Parents should explain to their kids that the dentist is someone who wants to help in keeping their teeth healthy and strong. Making the routine trip to the dentist an interesting and fun experience for kids will not only encourage better dental hygiene but will also serve as an opportunity for them to learn and understand how to take care of their teeth.
There are benefits for parents, too, as the dentist can educate them and give them professional advice on methods and products that are safe to use for children, as well as give tips on how to best reinforce good dental hygiene at home.
Alicia Hough
Alicia Hough is a Corporate Wellness Expert at The Product Analyst. A specialist, she mans and develops programs that drive motivation and provide corporate businesses with tools to create awareness of employees and their well-being.
Sometimes the reason why kids fail to do what we ask them is that we sound imperative, when in fact we are just concerned about their wellbeing. When we tell them the reasons why we ask them to do something, such as brushing their teeth or taking a bath, it will make them feel that such is a responsibility and that whether they do it or not, it's them who will benefit or suffer, and not us.
Don't be too harsh on them. It's the first time that they will learn to do such a thing, and we have to understand that it might feel overwhelming on their end at first, but they will learn how essential it is when it becomes their routine.
James Bullard
James Bullard is the founder of Sound Fro. He shares his love for music on his blog, covering a variety of topics that will strike a chord with music enthusiasts around the world.
We all love fruit, especially kids. Teach [kids] that besides eating the flesh of the fruit, they can also use their peels to whiten their teeth. Children love new discoveries.
The most common fruit peels for teeth whitening are banana, orange, and lemon peels. These peels contain citric acid that can remove stains on the surface of your teeth.
Doing this is very easy. Just teach them how to rub the peels on their teeth for two minutes. Then, ask them to wash their mouth and follow it with a toothbrush.
This is a crowdsourced article. Contributors are not necessarily affiliated with this website and their statements do not necessarily reflect the opinion of this website, other people, businesses, or other contributors.
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See, the mouth is one of the most taken for granted parts of our body. Used for eating, smiling, speaking, and even breathing.
Unfortunately we neglect the hygiene maintenance of the other parts of our mouth such as the gums, the cheeks, and the tongue. We assume that simply brushing our teeth twice or thrice daily is enough. Unaware that there is more to dental and oral health care than just a toothbrush, a toothpaste, and a mouthwash.
Take drinking sodas for example; those sweet drinks expose our teeth to sugar which are the primary cause of plaques that gradually destroy our teeth. The drink’s acid content, moreover, contribute to the erosion of the tooth enamel, which, when too thin, shows the yellowish tissue behind it.
In order to avoid these adverse consequences, we set our minds into brushing our teeth daily, thinking that the elimination of plaques caused by bacteria will help us keep our teeth sturdy, white and healthy. Is this true, though? Of course, it is!
However, it is important to note that brushing alone is still not enough- particularly because plaques dwell not only on the visible areas of the teeth, but also on the gums and tongue which may not be given attention or remains unreached while brushing.
If such plaques in these areas are not removed, it will most likely lead into conflicts such as the development of gum problems that may be categorized into three levels from the least to the most severe: the gingivitis, the periodontitis, and the advanced periodontitis.
Starting from simple inflammation and tendencies of bleeding, these gum diseases can go as much as harm the bones and tissues holding your teeth together. Hence, if not given the proper attention, the dream of having a perfect set of white teeth may be unreachable, regardless of how many times you brush daily. Oh! And remember that brushing more than thrice a day may even cause more damage!
In addition to this, taking care of the mouth is not limited into giving your gums and teeth attention. Cleaning of the tongue is important as bacteria sit on the top layer of the tongue which needs to be cleaned by the toothbrush or a tongue cleaner. Brushing, flossing, cleaning of the tongue along with One Click Smile routine you can maintain a younger & more youthful looking smile always. Here then, are some more tips for a better oral care routine!
And there you have it! Take care of your oral health and flash a bright white smile!
]]>You're still drinking bleach.
And vaping has risks and dangers, just like chewing tobacco and smoking. Understanding risks can (sometimes) help us make better choices. Vaping can be especially dangerous for your mouth, in some ways even more than smoking. Vaping has gained popularity for a few reasons. It has been used as a tool to help people stop quitting. But non-smokers have picked it up as a new trend. This is an especially worrying pattern in young people. Vaping has been seen as a way to get around the smoke-free areas in public places, and the prevailing thought is that it is safer than smoking.
Vaping is a process of heating a liquid until it turns into an aerosol gas that the user inhales. That liquid is made up of propylene glycol, glycerin, flavorings, water, and nicotine. Some users substitute THC, a derivative of CBD, for the nicotine. The nicotine levels are lower than a traditional cigarette but the process of vaping has its own unique set of risks. These risks include:
Dry Mouth
Saliva is the natural washing machine of the mouth. It keeps things moving along and rinses out bacteria that can cause bad breath and other problems. Propylene glycol, the main ingredient of the liquid in e-cigarettes, breaks down into acid when it is inhaled as an aerosol. Plus, it is hygroscopic--that's a fancy word that means water likes it. As a result, the moisture in the mouth will latch on to the molecules of the vaping gas and run away with them as you exhale. That leaves the mouth high and dry and vulnerable to bacteria, cavities, and gum disease.
Weaker Enamel
The next hidden enemy in vaping is the vegetable glycerin in the liquid that the e-cigarettes heat up. This glycerin is usually what they use to bind together the sweet flavorings that make vaping especially desirable to young people. It isn't as sweet as sucking on a lollipop, but that sweetness is just as dangerous to the mouth. The sweeteners and glycerin bind together and coat the teeth in a sweet film that can weaken the enamel over time. Because it is in aerosol form, it can fit into all those nooks and crannies where bacteria like to hide. And bacteria LOVE sugar.
Nicotine
Yep, they still have nicotine. Though they have less than traditional cigarettes, one e-cigarette cartridge is about the same as two to three packs of cigarettes. Nicotine mainly attacks the gums, cutting down the blood supply to that tender tissue and increasing the risk of gum disease. Sick gums lose their grip on teeth. That's why nicotine can lead to tooth loss.
Explosive
Any time we leave our house or drive a car, we are taking on risks. The risk-free life of never leaving your house doesn't sound like much fun. However, we can choose our risks carefully and avoid some that are unnecessary. The lithium batteries that are used in e-cigarettes could be considered one of those risks. While it is very rare, the lithium batteries can overheat and explode, causing serious damage to the lips, teeth, and gums.
Vaping is a big trend in our world today, and young people are being targeted in especially dangerous ways. The damage vaping can do happens on a cellular level. That means it is a slow effect, but a lasting one. The aerosol is a sneaky villain, slowly coating the entire mouth with damaging persistence.
What next?
If these risks have gotten your attention and fueled a desire to quit vaping or help someone you love to quit, then what is the next step? It takes time to change habits, and it is good to have a plan. If you are trying to quit, look at creating a gradual plan that doesn't feel overwhelming, but make a plan or your good intentions will go nowhere.
Focus on the Positive
Whenever we are trying to drop a bad habit, it helps if there is a good one we are trying to pick up instead to take its place. Thinking about the good things we want is more motivating than the bad things we want to avoid.
Choosing to stop vaping, or never starting in the first place, is great news for your smile, and our smiles will be with us for a very long time! Investing in your teeth can help you stick to your resolve. Using our teeth whitening kit will bring beauty to your smile, and that can be a powerful motivator. You'll want to keep those teeth white, strong, and clean. Choose a healthy smile and an apple over a sweet puff. You won't regret it!
There are hundreds of old sayings floating around, and while some of them are grounded in actual old-fashioned wisdom, there are some that could lead to trouble, such as betting your house on a horserace because you found a face-up penny.
There are plenty of tooth whitening remedies floating around in the world. We are here to help you sift through the most commonly known methods and decide what actually works and what might be a waste of time and money.
Charcoal
Charcoal has been around for a very long time. Hippocrates recommended it to his fellow ancient Greeks. It's important to note that the charcoal that is usually mentioned as beneficial in teeth whitening isn't what you use to fire up the grill on Labor Day. That is just a mix of wood, peat moss, and coal. What you want is activated charcoal, which is what you’re left with when standard charcoal goes through a heating process that changes its nature and creates "pockets" of compounds. These compounds can, in theory, detoxify your teeth, mouth, face, etc.
There have been some studies that have shown promise in the whitening process charcoal offers, but there are risks. Companies can use lots of different materials and call it charcoal. It isn't a well-regulated material, and the research doesn't show much well-documented success.
Turmeric
Anyone who has ever cooked with Turmeric, a bright yellow spice hailing from the Middle East, might wonder how something that leaves fingers stained yellow could have a whitening effect on teeth. Still, it has many health benefits, and some add teeth whitening to that list.
The common method of whitening with turmeric involves combining it with baking soda and coconut oil. Those two ingredients have their own reasons for bragging about whitening teeth (we'll get to them later), but turmeric on its own doesn't appear to have any benefit to your teeth. Still, there are plenty of other wonderful things turmeric can do for your body. It might help fight inflammation of the gums, boost your immune system, and soothe your stomach, but it probably won't whiten your teeth.
Oil Pulling
Coconut oil has burst onto the natural healthcare scene as a healthy fat and miracle oil. Oil pulling is the process of swishing around coconut oil in the mouth for 5 to 20 minutes, depending on your determination! Some have claimed the benefits include: healing tooth decay, eliminating bad breath, healing inflamed gums, and leaving teeth whiter and brighter than before. While there are plenty of personal testimonials standing as witness to the whitening power of oil pulling, the science isn't lining up as quickly or enthusiastically. There are very few studies that have been thoroughly designed and reported that find any lasting results. It doesn't have any major risks either, so if you have some extra time on your hands and swishing coconut oil around in your mouth for 10 minutes sounds appealing, give it a go!
Baking Soda
Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, has been known for its tooth whitening potential for a very long time. It is a naturally mild abrasive and so can sort of gently "sand" the tooth's surface, polishing away stains or plaque. It is a common ingredient in whitening toothpastes because of this characteristic. It is a safe way to polish your teeth and keep them clean between dental visits, but it doesn't have any deep whitening capacities. It is a great way to maintain bright teeth between whitening treatments, but it doesn't seem to do much whitening all on its own. Still, it is very safe to use, whether on its own with water or in a toothpaste.
Hydrogen Peroxide
This one can be a bit tricky. There is solid science supporting the fact that hydrogen peroxide can whiten teeth. In fact, we confidently use it in our products. However, getting the concentration right is tricky and can be dangerous if you use it too often or too much. You can mix it into a rinse or with your toothpaste but will need to use it frequently if you are using the lower concentration of hydrogen peroxide. It can be a bit of a dance to get it right.
We are here to help you get it right! We know the steps to this whitening dance, and we have it down perfectly. While these natural methods have some potential and are low risk and low cost, your best bet for successfully brightening your smile is to use an approved teeth whitening system. We have combed through the research for you and perfected a system that will brighten your smile without risk. So, pick up the face-up pennies, avoid walking under the ladder, and throw the salt over your shoulder, but for best results, leave the teeth whitening to us.
]]>We need to ensure that everything in our mouth is working well without any diseases or infections to prevent the possibility of tooth loss or gum disease. Although these diseases may not be that uncommon, they can lead to further complications like heart attacks, stroke, cardiovascular diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory diseases of inner organ, bowel cancer, respiratory tract inflammation & meningitis to name a few can escalate due to improper dental care.
One of the most common but also highly susceptible infections that a person can experience is gum diseases. You might find that this simple disease can be treated with a change in oral hygiene, but there are situations wherein the damage can even affect the flow of saliva in our mouths. You must see the signs that would lead to possible gum disease or tooth decay by entirely understanding this disease's concept.
Periodontitis, otherwise known as gum disease, can affect almost every person out there as long as bacteria and plaque grow to unprecedented levels that an infection may occur. You can find that your gums are some of the most crucial parts of your entire mouth. Unfortunately, most mainstream media would focus on dealing with stained teeth and how you can use a whitening toothpaste to make those discolourations go away but it doesn’t work as whitening products are not designed to change the colour of the plaque & tartar.
You need to conduct a healthy and consistent oral hygiene routine to prevent the spread of plaque and bacteria around your gums as much as on your tooth surface. It is essential to note that your gums which act as an anchor for the teeth can start seperating away from the teeth if the bacteria from the first layer of plaque also known as gingivitis is not cleared out with daily brushing & flossing which can form pockets making the tooth mobile.
There are plenty of common signs out there that can signify that you have an underlying gum disease forming around your mouth. You can find that regular dental check-ups can help spot these issues well before becoming a real problem. However, there are rare situations in which abnormal growth may arise due to poor diet or high blood pressure amongst other underlying health problems or medications you might be taking.
You should seek the help of some dental professionals if you are experiencing the following conditions:
Those suffering from periodontitis would need a dental examination and dental cleaning to ensure that there would be no traces of bacteria or plaque around the gums as much as possible. However, surgery and antibiotic medications may be prescribed by dental professionals to deal with a bacterial infection. You should first consult with your dentists about alternative solutions if the infection has not spread or evolved into something that needs immediate medical attention.
Dental treatment such as deep cleaning and surgical treatments are some of the possible risks of gum disease. Flap surgery can be done to those that needed more intense surgical care. Do note that in extreme cases, untreated gum disease may cause your jaw bone to suffer infections or sustain injuries due to the bacterial growth reaching further deep into your gums.
The goal of a dentist when it comes to conducting a successful treatment for gum disease symptoms would be to promote the gums back to a healthy condition and prevent further detachment around your teeth. There are situations in which the swollen and red gums can start to push your teeth in different places and need post-surgery medications or subsequent treatments to adjust.
The most common conditions of gum disease would stem from one to two types of inflammation. Both gingivitis and periodontitis are two diseases that most people suffer from which can lead to sensitive teeth and soft tissues problems. Although the initial impact of increased sensitivity and softness is not something most people would consider as a dental emergency. Gum inflammation is one of the most noteworthy warning signs that something is afoot. It would be best to spot the difference to understand the possible risks that these diseases can bring to your overall oral hygiene.
The best way to explain the difference between gingivitis and periodontitis is that Gingivitis is the mildest form of periodontal disease where the gums become red, slightly inflamed with a little bit of bleeding while brushing. There is also a chance that your foul breath, especially during the mornings can be a common sign.
Periodontitis occurs when the soft first layer of bacteria is not brushed off properly and more bacterial layer forms on top of it which over time becomes like cement which cannot be brushed off by simply brushing. It accelerates the inflammation process of the gums pulling them away from the tooth, bone can be lost, teeth become mobile and eventually fall off. You would have to make an appointment with the Dental Hygienist to get it removed only with special dental instruments. Bone loss and the risk of gum surgery are some of the possible points of caution that you should be aware of. Genetic factors and health issues such as chronic conditions might speed up the accumulation of bacteria because regular brushing and cleaning would become insufficient. Dental exams will need to run to ensure that advanced gum disease can be prevented to keep your gums clean and away from fungal infections.
Bone loss can start to form in adults that already have a high stage of gum tissue damage. The more your gum tissue starts to rot, the higher likelihood of you experiencing loss of teeth. Since food particles left behind on your mouth will begin to become a breeding ground for harmful bacteria, an experience called gum recession would take place and cause you to have crooked teeth. Around the base of your gumline, a pocket may form that will serve as an open gap for bacteria and other food particles to reside deep within your jaw bone.
Periodontal pockets can reach the tooth root and cause it to form cavities and rots from the inside. Most dental professionals might require periodontitis to undergo emergency dental surgery, cut open the gumline, and reach the damaged bone. However, these cases are more reserved for those with advanced gum disease or aggressive periodontitis.
Bacterial deposits can also be treated with antibiotics and frequent regular check-ups from your dentists. Although a better oral hygiene routine may get the job done on those with less severe conditions and some light bleeding with foul breath are your main two enemies when dealing with gingivitis.
Dentists recommend brushing your teeth twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste if you are suffering from any gum disease specially from periodontitis. Fluoride effectively prevents and limit tooth decay which can progress to gum disease if not managed.
According to the Australian Dental Association, all Australians should have access to the benefits of fluoride. Moreover, water fluoridation is a safe, effective and ethical way to help reduce tooth decay which is supported and recognised by scientific bodies and public health groups in Australia.
Here is the table for the recommended fluoride content in toothpaste from the Australian Dental Association:
Age | Fluoride Content |
Children 18 months to 5 years | small pea-sized amount of toothpaste containing 0.5–0.55 mg/g of fluoride (500–550 ppm). |
Individuals aged six years or more | standard fluoride toothpaste containing 1 - 1.5 mg/g fluoride (1000–1500 ppm). |
Children who are at elevated risk of developing tooth decay | standard toothpaste containing 1mg/g fluoride (1000ppm) |
Teenagers, adults and older adults who are at elevated risk of developing tooth decay, | dental professional advice should be sought to determine if they should use toothpaste containing a higher concentration of fluoride (i.e. greater than 1000-1500 ppm up to 5000 ppm of fluoride). |
For more information, visit the Australian Dental Association.
]]>More than often, people forget that oral hygiene and health does not only involve the teeth. A healthy mouth must also have a healthy clean tongue, and here’s why it’s necessary:
Coffee turns it brown, red wine turns it red. The truth is, your tongue is just as much of a target for bacteria as your teeth are, even if it is not at risk for developing cavities itself.
So, what is this buildup? It’s not just harmless saliva, says Kling. It’s a biofilm, or a group of microorganisms, that stick together on the surface of the tongue just like a sponge & unfortunately, getting rid of it isn’t as simple as drinking water or using mouthwash.
“It’s difficult to kill the bacteria in the biofilm because, for example, when mouth rinses are used, only the outer cells of the biofilm are destroyed,” says Kling. “The cells beneath the surface still thrive.”
These bacteria can lead to bad breath and even tooth damage because of this you physically have to remove the bacteria off your tongue by scrapping the biofilm with a tongue scrapper.
The tongue is one of the softest organs in our mouth that harbour the most bacteria as it doesn’t just have taste buds on it, it also has crevices, elevations, and all sorts of tiny structures that capture the bacteria unless physically removed. Letting all this
bacteria sit and multiply can cause bad breath or halitosis, as well as tooth decay on the inner surfaces of the teeth. This is why it’s so important to regularly clean our tongues — so we can get rid of all the unwanted bacterial buildup! Another benefit to removing the bacteria from our tongues is that it clears the way for our tastebuds to do their jobs effectively. A bacteria-free tongue not just help taste food much more effectively it also makes the first stage of the digestive process more effective too, which means improving our digestive health!
Underlying conditions aside, just how important is it to clean your tongue as part of your daily routine? According to dentist Dr Richard Marques, it's just as important as cleaning any other part of your mouth.
"Your tongue is like a sponge where bacteria and food particles get trapped and build up throughout the day and whilst you sleep," he explains.
"Leaving them there to multiply can lead to all sorts of unpleasant results, ranging from bad breath and a furry tongue, all the way to tooth decay and gum disease when the bacteria spread to other parts of your mouth."
Note that your diet also plays a large part in tongue hygiene.
"If you eat a lot of 'roughage', such as raw vegetables, your tongue will be naturally clean. However, most of us don't - so tongue cleaning as part of your daily oral health regimen twice a day is a good idea," he suggests.
Debris, bacteria, and dead cells can build up on your tongue over time. This can lead to bad breath and have a negative impact on your overall oral health & your confidence.
Using a tongue scraper can help remove this buildup, as well as:
Older research suggests that using a tongue scraper twice daily can improve your sense of taste. Your tongue may be able to better distinguish between bitter, sweet, salty, and sour sensations along with the temperatures of your food & beverage intakes.
Improve the appearance of your tongue. Buildup of excess debris can cause your tongue to take on a white, coated appearance. Daily scraping can help remove this coating and prevent it from returning.
Remove bacteria. Researchers in one 2005 study Trusted Source found that using a tongue scraper twice a day for seven days reduced the overall incidence of Mutans streptococci and Lactobacilli bacteria in the mouth. These bacteria types are known to cause bad breath and dental decay.
Improve overall health. Removing bacteria from your tongue plays is key role in preventing cavities, gum disease, and other conditions that affect the mouth. Tongue scraping can help clear Trusted Source these bacteria from the mouth, improving your tongue’s appearance and overall sensation.
Reduce bad breath. Although tongue scraping can’t replace brushing your teeth, scraping may do some things better. Researchers in one 2004 study found that scraping was more effective than brushing at removing odor-causing bacteria.
Tongue scraping is one of the necessary things that you should do to complete your daily oral health routine Brushing your teeth alone cannot guarantee a healthy and clean mouth, especially if you are suffering from oral health problems like halitosis or chronic bad breath, gum disease, and tooth decay..
In this article, you will learn the things you need to know about tongue scraping such as the effectiveness of using tongue cleaners; and the health benefits you could get and what experts say about it. Start reading and scrape all the information you need to know to achieve a healthier mouth!
Tongue scraping has been widely recommended by Ayurvedic practitioners and dentists as it helps remove toxins in your mouth and promote oral hygiene. In scraping, you need to use
a tongue scraper, normally in a U-shape design, which is the main tool in scraping the gunk from your tongue’s top layer.
Tongue scrapers are widely available in the market. They are usually curved and non-sharp, and they could either be made of plastic or metal which vary from gold, copper, silver, tin and brass. There are also scrapers that are made out of stainless steel which are likewise as effective as the others as they resist corrosion. They are also durable and gentle to the tongue.
Tongue scrapers are very easy to use and harmless for your tongue and mouth. All you need to do is take the both ends of the device in each hand, and then put your tongue out to
gently scrape it several times while rinsing the scum off the scraper with warm water. You
can adjust your placement and the pressure you apply in cleaning your tongue with a tongue scraper to prevent gag reflex. Doing this will clear out the surface of your tongue and remove toxins which can make your immune system weak if not removed. As said, oral health is not only about the teeth and gums, but also about your tongue!
Tongue scraping is then advised to be part of your daily oral care routine. It is advised to do it after brushing your teeth twice a day- morning and night.
Bad bacteria pile up in the mouth while we sleep at night since the production of saliva is diminished. If you practice tongue scraping, it will remove the bacteria that build tooth decay and reduce bad breath.
Tongue scraping helps promote your sense of taste. Cleaning your tongue with a tongue scraper helps remove dead cells, food debris, thick bacterial coating and other unwanted substances present in your tongue, thence improving your ability to appreciate the next food you will eat!.
In a study published in the Journal of Periodontology (2004), it is medically reviewed that approximately 85% of halitosis cases have their origin within the mouth; and 50% of these are caused by residues found in tongue. Hence, it is important to take care of the tongue, and cleaning it with a toothbrush is not enough!
According to Marni Wasseman, the co-host of The Ultimate Health Podcast, scraping your tongue is a must especially if you suffer from bad breath. Doing this will not only get you rid of halitosis but it will also boost your immunity, improve your digestive health, and your oral health will be maximized.
In the article "The Benefits of Tongue Scraping" that was written by Dr. Sheila Patel, M.D., the Chief Medical Officer for Chopra Global, she stated that the oral cavity and tongue are the gateways between the outside environment and your mind-body system. Keeping this vital organ healthy is therefore very important to your general well-being!
Time and time again, dental health would always play a significant part in dealing with our daily hygiene. You cannot forego basic tooth care if you plan or are reaching a better and cleaner overall mouth. There is more to basic concept of brushing your teeth that meets the eye to achieve overall dental health.
One might think that a simple soft-bristled toothbrush and avoiding a sugary drink is all you need to gain a better-looking smile. There is so much that we neglect in the name of a healthy mouth. This article shall tackle some of the biggest myths and misconceptions about tooth care that you may find on the internet.
One of the most common dental practices that fewer and fewer people would find themselves foregoing would be to floss their teeth regularly. The problem with oral care and the media is that most people would find themselves focusing on the normal brushing aspect or even the quality of toothpaste that you use. However, flossing is not only something that you should focus on to remove something stuck between your teeth, such as food debris.
Instead, a regularly flossed tooth can bring about a host of benefits that can significantly improve your dental hygiene. Some of the benefits that can be had when it comes to using dental floss include the following:
● Drastically lowering the chances of bad breath, especially in the morning.
● Creating a better and consistent whiter tooth colour.
● Delaying or even removing the formation of gum disease.
Possible bleeding while flossing is common in those that are new to the experience or a sign of gum disease from a milder form of plaque which is soft in nature called Gingivitis to a severe form of tartar build up which is hard like cement called Periodontitis. However, a regular dental checkup and oral health routine will cause your gums to become stronger naturally due over a period of time.
This dental myth correlates with the previous floss-related entry. Some people would advice others to only floss when there is food stuck in between their teeth. Although the floss itself will go in between the corners of your tooth, there is no cause for concern as it would not push out the tooth in another direction. There are various other factors that come to play in the separation or creation of space between teeth which we can explain in another blog. Instead, flossing would only ensure that you can remove all manners of food particles left behind after eating.
Mainstream media would have you believe that the only way a person can be perceived as someone with a good sense of tooth care would be to have a natural white tooth color. You can even find plenty of websites or pharmacies that would go out of their way to actively and heavily promote teeth whiteners to people to entice the need to go white.
Healthy teeth do not emit a natural bright white smile, but that does not automatically mean that you are exhibiting poor brushing or experiencing tooth decay. Most people should learn about the colour of their tooth because they would also be differing shades of lightness varying from person to person, their ph level, natural plaque build-up on their enamel, certain medications they might be taking, underlying medical problems that have gone undetected, smoking, certain food & beverage intake. That’s why it’s so important to value the importance of proper dental care/dental check up by visiting your dentist regularly on a 6 monthly or on a yearly basis.
Bacteria that comes from poor oral care can result in some tooth decay and cavities. The most common myth out there is that a stronger and harder brushing would result in more plaque and bacteria being scraped off. This myth is not only wrong, but it can potentially cause more harm than good to your teeth.
The harder you brush, the higher likelihood of you damaging your tooth enamel which protects you from having lower tooth sensitivity. You can also increase the risk of tooth decay due to the lack of protection from following this false myth.
Your best bet at gaining better oral hygiene is maintaining a consistent daily habit of proper cleaning and brushing techniques which you can read in our other blog using suitable fluoride toothpaste.
Common usages for an emergency dentist appointment is when you experience a dental issue. However, it would be best to treat your teeth as though it is no different from your regular GP. It is a general medical myth that dentists are only there to help people suffering from various dental issues such as bad breath or tooth extraction.
You should regularly maintain a consistent schedule for your dental appointments as it can help ensure that you maintain your teeth healthier and stronger than ever before. You can also learn some practical medical advice about various harmful bacteria that can cause significant issues around your mouth. There are professional dental services like a Scale & Clean that your dentist can do to clean your teeth using a special enamel friendly dental toothbrush with some pumice paste which is slightly abrasive but not damaging to the enamel to get rid of the superficial stains.
Everyone would want a fresh breath to start their day. You can find that there would always be people that would have a hard time bringing about a fresh breath despite properly and routinely brushing their teeth. This scenario might be the cause of a gum disease that is plaguing your mouth as we speak.
One thing that you need to note about gum diseases is that it is commonly linked to other health-related issues as well. Inform your dentist or nurse about health complications such as diabetes, blood clotting, or hypertension issues which make your mouth dry hence creating good anchorage & environment for the bacteria to adhere, multiply & turn into gum disease.
]]>Having a damaged enamel can also increase your risk for bacteria and tooth decay. Here are 7 essential tips to have beautiful pearly whites even if you love drinking wine.
1. Use a straw when drinking
Drinking wine or any beverage such as coffee and tea through a straw can help promote your dental health and protect your teeth and gums. It can reduce tooth sensitivity, tooth discoloration, prevent cavities, and enamel deterioration.
So, if you want to protect your pearly whites, you can use a reusable straw to your wine glass so you can drink without the guilt of staining your teeth.
2. Drink water after enjoying a glass of wine
Having a sip or a glass of water after drinking wine can wash it away and neutralize the acid in your mouth. People who love drinking white wine should be more careful since it is more acidic than red wine which can damage your enamel more quickly that may result in sensitive teeth. White wine can also badly affect your gums so limit your drinking.
It is not bad to drink glasses and bottles of wine with your friends and family but make sure to protect your dental health after every drink.
3. Do not brush your teeth right after drinking wine
Brushing right after enjoying a glass of wine can lead to damaging effects since it may spread the acid in your entire mouth making your enamel softer after drinking wine.
Dentists recommend drinking water after drinking wine and brushing your teeth after 1 hour has passed. If you brush right away while your enamel is soft, it may lead to tooth erosion, and over time your enamel will get thinner and your teeth will be more sensitive.
4. Rinse your mouth after drinking wine
Since it is forbidden to brush your teeth after drinking wine, you can floss and rinse your mouth. It is advisable to rinse your mouth with a fluoride mouthwash that will strengthen the enamel and wash away the wine leftovers in your mouth.
You can also swish your mouth with coconut oil for a few minutes to remove cavities and promote healthy teeth and gums. Moreover, coconut oil can minimize stains sticking to your teeth.
5. Use teeth whitening products
You can use tooth whitening products like teeth whitening toothpaste that is available in the market to remove stains in your teeth. In addition, getting a DIY-teeth whitening treatment can also be more effective and much convenient for you. With One Click Smile teeth whitening kit, you can now maintain your pearly whites and beautiful smile without giving up on drinking wine.
Plus, the whitening process is hassle-free, our teeth whitening gel is vegan-friendly and you'll get cost-effective teeth whitening at your own place and time.
But how can One Click Smile teeth whitening kit help you in your teeth whitening journey?
Our teeth whitening kit is scientifically formulated to whiten your teeth and improve your tooth colour in the comfort of your own home without feeling any pain and sensitivity. The teeth whitening procedure can deliver maximum results in just 6 applications, with each application being only 10 minutes.
Our kit includes the following:
Get 2 to 8 shades whiter teeth now and be a click away from an awesome smile! Visit oneclicksmiles.com to know more.
]]>Honesty is the best policy
First of all, it is totally normal and fine to get nervous about the dentist! There is no reason to try to hide it from the dentist or tell yourself not to be nervous. The lights, the chair, the poking, it can all be a little intimidating. So, give yourself permission to be nervous and communicate exactly what makes you nervous with your dentist. Ask your dentist if they'd be willing to meet before the actual dental appointment to discuss your anxieties. Is it the lighting? The sounds? The smells? Being open about your fears will help you feel better and give your dentist a heads up on how to make things go better for you.
Stay Ahead of It
The time to deal with anxious feelings is before they come. Once anxiety gets a grip, our brains switch into protective mode, and it is quite a challenge to calm down once that happens. Thinking ahead and finding strategies to stay calm before the visit will set you up for success. Think about the triggers, and have a plan in place. It can be as simple as counting back from 100 or distracting yourself by finding as many blue things in the waiting room as possible, or counting how many things begin with the letter T. These seem like silly games, but they keep the brain focused on something else besides the anxiety so that you can think rationally when you head back for your appointment.
Practice Makes Perfect
The brain is a muscle and it takes practice to help it learn how to stay calm in moments of anxiety. Mindfulness is a way to practice staying present, focused, and calm. Regularly practicing before your appointment will train your brain and body to stay in a calm state. Make sure you are breathing regularly and focusing on the sensations of the moment and not the fears that can send your brain into a frenzy. This website has some great ways to start incorporating mindfulness into your daily routine.
Give a Sign
When you communicate with your dentist beforehand, you might discuss a simple hand signal that you can give when you need a break or start to feel the anxiety creeping in. This can help you feel confident that you are in control and can take a break if needed. And, you don't have to worry about trying to talk to the dentist when they have their hands in your mouth! Just knowing that you can pause the appointment whenever you need it is a dose of control that can be very calming.
Plan for the Future
Regular dental appointments are spaced months apart. When you are scheduling, you should be able to pick a day and time that will give you the best shot at being well-rested and unstressed.
What About Sedation?
All these ideas can go a long way to lower anxiety, but if you still feel tense after trying these tips, then it might be worth exploring sedation dentistry. This involves medical interventions that will calm you or help you sleep as you have your dentist visit. There are a few types of sedation used in dentistry:
With all these methods, you will want to communicate clearly with the dentist how much sedation you want and make sure you understand the process and effects. There is also the option of general anesthesia if you would prefer to be asleep throughout the procedure. Each appointment will be different. You might only need mild sedation for regular check-ups, and you can save the heavy hitters for any more serious procedures.
Stay Calm. . . .and Go to the Dentist
It is normal to have some anxiety about dental procedures, but that doesn't mean that you have to avoid the dentist. There are tools you can use before you go and methods the dentists can use while you are there. Take a breath, ask for help, and figure out what works for you.
And if you’re contemplating teeth whitening, you’ll be pleased to know that you don’t have to go to the dentist to get the results you want. Our at-home teeth whitening kits work like professional treatments but are safe and convenient enough to be administered in the comfort of your home. Great results, more convenient, less costly. Contact us at (530) 285-5559 to learn more.
]]>Soft drinks, ice cream, baked goods, and hamburgers—all delicious, but all highly acidic. And unfortunately, those acids can discolor your teeth. Why? We asked the experts! Read on to learn more.
Deepak Shukla
Deepak Shukla is the CEO and co-founder of Plant Sumo - a plant-based meal prep service. When he’s not in the kitchen thinking up delicious and fresh vegan meals, you can find him running marathons and completing Ironmen.
Acidic foods, such as meat, soft drinks, and even dairy can damage your teeth by weakening and softening enamel.
Ultimately, this causes tooth erosion whereby the inner layer of your teeth, called dentin, and your gum line become exposed. Once exposed, they’re even more susceptible to bacteria that can lead to further infection and cavities.
This process is called demineralization, whereby bacteria in our mouths called Streptococcus mutans metabolize the sucrose (or sugars) in our food into lactic acid. It’s this lactic acid that causes tooth erosion and discoloration.
A healthy mouth will have a near-neutral pH level, so acidic foods, or foods that are high in sucrose - like processed and fast foods, are going to bring that pH level down.
That’s why it’s important to eat not only calcium-rich foods like beans and legumes to strengthen enamel but to balance your diet with alkaline-rich foods. Foods like root vegetables and leafy greens are not only nutritious but high-alkaline.
On top of that, things like apples and celery are fibrous and work well as tooth cleaners. Strawberries even contain a good acid, called malic acid which acts as a tooth-whitening enzyme. Plus, these foods increase saliva production to clean teeth and break up particles that might stain teeth.
Overall, acidic foods and foods that are high in sucrose erode your enamel, which invites bacteria, infection, and discoloration. That’s why you should consider avoiding acidic foods if you want white teeth or at least try to balance your diet with high-alkaline plant-based additions.
Albert Lee
Albert Lee, Founder of Home Living Lab.
The crown of our teeth is made up of 3 layers. The outer layer which is enamel, the middle layer which is dentine, and then we reach the inner layer which is the dental pulp. Enamel is a mineral-dense outer layer that varies from light yellow to blue-light white. The middle layer of dentine contains fewer minerals and is usually yellow.
Our oral cavity is usually maintained at a pH of about 6.7 to 7.3, but frequent exposure to acidic foods will reduce the pH in the oral cavity. When the pH of our oral cavity dips to 5.5 and below, that is when enamel starts to demineralize. If the acidic stimulus is removed at this point, our enamel can remineralize as the pH returns to normal.
THowever, if an abrasive force is applied to the tooth before the enamel is remineralized, the enamel can potentially be abraded away and expose the underlying dentine. The underlying dentine generally takes on a yellower tinge, and hence our tooth will lose the natural translucent whitish color of pristine teeth. Hence, it is recommended that tooth brushing be done only 30 minutes after an acidic exposure to our teeth.
Dr. John Andersen
Dr. John Andersen is the co-founder and president of the Periogen Company, Inc. He and his brother James Andersen developed Periogen Oral Rinse, the world’s first and only dental tartar reducing oral rinse.
Wine, particularly red wine, will stain teeth as it has strong pigments and is quite acidic in nature. Also, the enamel on teeth is not perfectly smooth, and, as a result, may accelerate the staining process. In addition to that, you may have some plaque and tartar deposits that will stain as well. Plaque is a sticky film made up of saliva and food particles that starts forming within hours of brushing while dental tartar is simply the plaque that has calcified (hardened) onto teeth and is quite porous and stains easily.
Interestingly, acidic liquids such as wine, soda, and even some mouth rinses can accelerate the hardening of plaque into dental tartar that will only worsen the staining process. Additionally, porous dental tartar provides a habitat for the bad bacteria to thrive, and as this tartar grows down into the gum line along with the tooth, symptoms of gum disease begin as your body battles the building periodontal infection. Ironically, the deeper the infection in your gum line the more insulated the bacteria become from mouth rinse treatments, and even prescription mouth rinse can become ineffective. It will then be up to your dentist to determine a treatment plan.
Periodontal disease can become a chronic infection and has been associated with everything from heart disease to dementia. The best prevention for wine discoloration of teeth is to keep your mouth clean and healthy through good daily oral care that includes keeping plaque and tartar deposits off your teeth and see your dentist regularly.
This is a crowdsourced article. Contributors are not necessarily affiliated with this website and their statements do not necessarily reflect the opinion of this website, other people, businesses, or other contributors.
]]>Why aren’t my teeth white anymore?
Have you looked at a baby’s teeth lately? They’re so perfectly pearly! Most of us would love to return to that beautiful white tooth shade, but certain things get in the way:
“We did it, and we loved it”
Consider these examples of people who have benefited from our teeth whitening solutions:
Why One Click Smile?
In-chair teeth whitening at the dentist’s office can be prohibitively expensive—not to mention time-consuming because it requires you to return for multiple treatments. On the other hand, at-home treatments can fail to achieve the results that you want, and some can even be harmful.
Our founder, Tanaz Warden, made it her mission to find a better solution. She drew on her years of expertise gained as a dental hygienist as well as extensive research on teeth whitening methodologies. The result is a safe and simple teeth whitening system that achieves professional results at an affordable price.
The kit uses blue lights and pen applicators (no messy trays required) and comes with a 90-day money back guarantee. It contains the perfect amount of hydrogen peroxide—enough to provide desired lightening, but not so much that it will erode the enamel or harm the gums. It requires just six applications, each requiring 10 minutes, and can lighten teeth by two to eight shades.
Whether you’re looking to enhance your appearance to look your best on dating websites, trying to reverse the signs of smoking, heading out for job interviews or getting ready for a special event, our teeth-whitening kits can help you flash those pearly whites with renewed confidence.
If you’ve been thinking about whitening your teeth, get in on our Black Friday discount. Enter code BLACKFRIDAY20 at checkout to get 20% off of your kit, and treat yourself to a whiter smile for the holidays.
]]>President Abraham Lincoln was beginning to glimpse the end of a very long and dark tunnel and wanted to express gratitude for the successful year. His Secretary of State, William Seward, suggested declaring an official day of thanks for the country. November had been a time of celebrating a successful harvest, and America reflected on its pilgrim beginnings. While we celebrate Thanksgiving with adorable plays of pilgrims and Native Americans, it was William Seward that made Thanksgiving an official holiday. Abraham Lincoln marked the occasion with an official address to the American people, declaring a nationwide day of gratitude:
"The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come. . . .It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow-citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving"
At this point, you might be asking: what does this have to do with white teeth? We are getting there.
There are many ways to keep track of all the wonderful things for which we can be grateful. Write them out on paper leaves and cover your walls, start a gratitude journal, or fill a thankful jar with slips of paper covered with blessings, big and small. Living with a grateful outlook boosts positivity, calms anxiety, and can even strengthen your immune system. Being thankful isn't just for November.
While you are filling the jar and adding thankful leaves to your tree, take a moment and think about adding your mouth to that list. It works hard for you in some very unglamorous ways:
Chewing
While it isn't an exciting job, when you are eating your Thanksgiving feast rather than slurping it through a straw, you can give a quiet thanks for your teeth’s role in the eating process. They break down that delicious food on Thanksgiving and every other day of the year, turning it into fuel for your body in an efficient way.
Saliva Production
We are all hyper-aware of germs these days. Masks are great, but your body also has some defenses of its own. Saliva isn't just to help you swallow, it is chock full of antibacterial juice that fights the germs that get into your mouth. Your mouth works hard to keep you healthy, so give it a thank you.
Gabbing
We do this all day, every day, and without our teeth, this would be much trickier. Our tongue and teeth work together to form the shapes that create sounds. Plus, teeth create the echo chamber that makes words, music, and laughter sound as good as they do. As you are going around the table sharing gratitude highlights, just remember that your teeth help make that possible.
Feasting on Gratitude
Your mouth will be busy soon. Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, salad, and all that pie will keep your teeth moving. Don't worry, we aren't here to tell you not to enjoy the feast. Turkey has lots of protein, potatoes are packed with Vitamin C, and sweet potatoes have Vitamins C and A. Indulge and enjoy, but remember to drink plenty of water to help get the sticky stuff out from between your teeth. That will keep your mouth much happier. It's one feast day a year--dig in!
2020 has been quite a year. It might feel difficult to make a list of thanks, but when you start with the small things, like your mouth, then it is easier to realize that there really are so many things for which we can be grateful. Teeth, gums, water, air… listing the small stuff leads you to the big stuff: family, friends, health, and freedom.
As you give thanks for your teeth and smile about it, we hope that you find plenty of other things to smile about as well. We are here to help you feel even better about that mouth that does so much for you. As you gear up to put those teeth to work chewing and enjoying a delicious Thanksgiving feast, consider treating your mouth to a teeth whitening kit to brighten that thankful smile.
]]>It has been said that chocolate is happiness you can eat. If you agree with that statement, bear this precaution in mind: chocolate can also be hard on teeth. So can you eat your chocolate and have healthy teeth, too? Read on to learn more.
Dr. Samantha Rawdin
Dr. Samantha Rawdin is a prosthodontist (a dentist specialist who goes through an additional 3 years of training in esthetic, implant, and restorative dentistry) at gallery57dental.com in Midtown Manhattan.
It's more about the frequency than the quantity. Try to stick to only having sweets after a meal or once throughout the day rather than grazing on a few M&M's every hour. Your saliva acts as a buffer to help protect against the drop in the pH of your saliva after eating sugar-filled items. If you're constantly presenting these acid-challenges, overcoming them is going to be more difficult and can lead to cavities.
Drink water after having sweets. One way to help your saliva along is to drink water after having the chocolate. It helps to wash the sugars off of the teeth and rebalance the pH in the mouth.
BRUSH. YOUR. TEETH. Twice a day, every day. Use a fluoridated toothpaste to help protect against cavities. And don't forget about flossing! It's the only way to truly clean the surfaces between the teeth.
Try to stick to dark chocolate. It's lower in sugar and higher in antioxidants.
Dr. Giuseppe Aragona
Dr. Giuseppe Aragona, General Practitioner & Family Doctor at Prescription Doctor.
You can still eat chocolate and have great teeth, you just have to keep a few things in mind.
Firstly, you need to space out your sweets, and not have too many at once. Try to limit yourself each day. Next is to hydrate as much as you can. Drinking water can help to keep your teeth healthy, so drinking more of it will make sure you can still enjoy chocolate. If you swish your mouth with water after snacking and then brush your teeth 30 minutes after, this will help to remove anything on your teeth and keep them healthy and clean.
Mollie Newton
Mollie Newton is fond of travels and what's beyond the riches of the world. That's where she got her motivation for establishing Pet Me Twice where she explores new knowledge from real experiences.
Always drink plain water after eating chocolates. This is a general rule. Aside from lessening chances of tooth decay, it also prevents you from having tonsilitis after eating sweets. Hydrate yourself to keep cavities away and then brush your teeth after a few minutes.
Pick your chocolates. Be aware of their ingredients, texture, and mixture instead of just indulging in their luscious taste. Choose ones that aren't acidic and don't need to be exposed for so long in your mouth. Also, limit eating chocolates. These tips won't be useful if you can't discipline yourself when it comes to sweets.
Have some xylitol gums after. Xylitol is a natural non-nutritive sweetener that fights cavities and tooth decay, and chewing some xylitol gum after eating chocolates can greatly help in maintaining your teeth's health if it feels uncomfortable to brush right after.
Albert Lee
Albert Lee is the founder of Home LivingLab, a company centered on home improvement solutions. He is extremely passionate about sharing his experience and knowledge with people seeking to build their perfect home.
Eating your chocolate during mealtimes
To many people, chocolate is a snack that can be enjoyed at any time, but the issue with frequent snacking is that the teeth undergo frequent acidic attacks throughout the day. In the long term, this will be harmful to the structure of your teeth. Therefore, it is better to just enjoy your chocolate during your normal mealtimes as part of your dessert. In this manner, the increase in acidity is consolidated into one meal and there are fewer incidences of acid attacks on your teeth.
Having a good brush and floss right after your chocolate treat
Chocolate is a sticky snack that tends to stick onto the surfaces of our teeth after we eat it. The obvious stains on the broad surfaces of our teeth can be seen easily and removed easily. However, there are many other areas where the chocolate can stick without us realizing it. These areas are the spaces between our teeth or in the fine grooves and fissures on the biting surface of our teeth. In order to remove the [chocolate] thoroughly, we will need proper flossing and brushing. It is recommended to do it right after your chocolate treat because the longer it sticks to your teeth, the more bacteria can adhere and cause damage to your teeth.
Dr. Greg Asatrian
Dr. Greg Asatrian is a board-certified orthodontist and four-time graduate of UCLA. He is also a content creator on YouTube, founding the channel Braces Explained, where he educates the public, in simple terms, about orthodontics—a channel which has grown to 65,000 subscribers with over 7 million views. Find him here: asatrianortho.com
There are a few tips on how to each chocolate without damaging your teeth.
The first is that you should attempt to eat the chocolate in the smallest time window possible. Believe it or not, eating one bar of chocolate in one minute is better for your teeth than eating one piece of chocolate over an hour. This is because your teeth undergo an acid attack anytime you eat something sweet, and it takes about 20 minutes for your body to re-establish the appropriate pH in your mouth. It is during these periods of lower pH that cavities form.
Another way to eat chocolate safely is to rinse/drink water afterward. This will dilute the sugar concentration in your mouth and minimize your risk of cavities.
Although dietary considerations are important for maintaining strong and healthy teeth, it is important to remember to brush twice a day and floss once a day to ensure ideal proper oral hygiene.
Dr. Waqas Ahmad
Dr. Waqas Ahmad is a Family Medicine Physician at Insurecast with vast experience in managing all types of conditions like hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and other common diseases of children and adults.
Everybody likes chocolates—both children and adults alike. For teeth heath, the problem is not the chocolate itself. The problem lies in the sugar content of the chocolate which is bad for teeth. Milk chocolates contain a lot of sugars. Sugar content, when combined with oral cavity bacteria, becomes a very bad combination for teeth, causing permanent decay. It produces acids that cause damage to the enamel of teeth.
However, there are certain points which, if followed correctly, may help in preventing this damage while eating chocolate.
Dr. Lara Seidman
Dr. Lara Seidman, general dentist at Fountainhead Dentistry in Hagerstown, MD.
Chocolate damages your teeth by causing cavities. Sticky chocolate can settle into the grooves of your teeth and stay there. Bacteria that are naturally found in your mouth metabolize the sugar in chocolate. The products of this metabolism, in particular, acid, start the tooth decay process, leading to cavities.
There are a few things you can do to minimize the damage chocolate does to your teeth.
1. Pick a bar of chocolate that has a lower sugar content or sugar substitute, like Hershey's Special Dark - Sugar Free, which contains maltitol.
2.And it's important to eat your chocolate relatively quickly instead of keeping it in your mouth for a longer period of time or continuously eating small pieces (like M&Ms) over several hours.
3. If you're able to, it's also always a great idea to floss and brush your teeth after eating chocolate. This removes it from your mouth and immediately stops the cavity formation process.
Chris Lewandowski, DDS, PC
Chris Lewandowski, DDS, PC, is a talented cosmetic and family dentist at Princess Center Dentistry in Scottsdale, AZ. He has created a practice well known for first-class patient service and modern dental care.
Americans love chocolate. In fact, we eat over 2.8 billion pounds of chocolate each year, or 11 pounds per person. That is amazing. So, does eating all that chocolate damage your teeth?
The answer depends on what you do after you eat it. Allowing the sugars in chocolate to sit in your mouth and create sticky plaque on your teeth can be harmful. The plaque is full of bacteria and will eventually damage the enamel of your teeth and can initiate decay. However, if your feast on your favorite chocolate bar and follow up with 2 minutes of thorough brushing, there is nothing to worry about. But I must wonder how many of us do that?
Some chocolates, especially dark chocolates, contain ingredients that may benefit your body. Like everything in nature, moderation is best. So, do not let the idea that chocolate can ruin your teeth force you to abandon the delicious treat. Rather, come to terms with the fact that poor oral hygiene ruins teeth, not the foods you expose them to.
This is a crowdsourced article. Contributors are not necessarily affiliated with this website and their statements do not necessarily reflect the opinion of this website, other people, businesses, or other contributors.
]]>Too much wine isn’t good for anyone, but some research suggests that an occasional glass of red wine can provide you with antioxidants, reduce inflammation and promote longevity. But what about your teeth? Will it stain your pearly whites? We crowdsourced this question to a panel of professionals. Read on to learn more about the effects of wine on your smile.
Lisa Richards
Lisa Richards is a nutritionist and author of The Candida Diet. She has been featured on Today, US News, Women’s Health magazine, Huffington Post, Healthline, the San Francisco Chronicle, Reader’s Digest, Lifehack, Insider, and Well+Good, among others.
Wine, red wine specifically, can cause discoloration of teeth from the dyes, tannins, and acid it contains. Drinking water between glasses of wine and eating hard food, like apples or celery, can help clean your teeth if you're unable to brush your teeth right after. These acts will also help you avoid a wine headache and other side effects by giving you extra hydration. Strong and healthy enamel can help prevent teeth darkening from drinking wine. Some dairy foods like cheese and milk can strengthen your enamel to keep your teeth white.
Dr. Joseph Salim, DMD
Dr. Joseph Salim is a general and cosmetic dentist from NY. He is the founder and owner of Sutton Place Dental Associates, a multi-specialty dental practice.
Due to its acidic nature, wine can etch and stain your teeth.
Here are some tips to protect them:
Using proper whitening products also helps to restore your chompers' color.
Dr. Nikola Djordjevic, MD
Dr. Nikola Djordjevic, MD, medical advisor at HealthCareers.
Wine is an all-time favorite drink in many cultures that has a lot of health benefits and negative side effects as well if you overdo it. One of these side effects is that wine can affect your teeth, primarily by staining. Wine has acids that can create rough spots on your teeth over time, affecting the enamel and allowing bad bacteria to invade your teeth easily. Then, when you go drink another beverage like tea or coffee, your teeth are going to be easily stained by the dark tint of these drinks due to the pores and grooves created by the acid in the wine—especially red wine, which has red pigments known as anthocyanins, giving the wine its red color in addition to tannins and other natural pigments. When you drink red wine, your teeth will be affected by both the red color and the acidity of the wine. This combination stains your teeth with a red color that over time can become more brown, blue, grey, or even purple in the worst case. So, try to drink wine with moderation, do not overuse it to avoid its side effects, and never forget to brush your teeth before and after drinking it to avoid stains.
Dr. John Andersen, DBA
John Andersen, DBA, President The Periogen Company.
Yes, wine, particularly red wine, will stain teeth as it has strong pigments and is quite acidic in nature. Also, the enamel on teeth is not perfectly smooth and, as a result, may accelerate the staining process. In addition to that, you may have some plaque and tartar deposits that will stain as well.
Plaque is a sticky film made up of saliva and food particles that starts forming within hours of brushing, while dental tartar is simply the plaque that has calcified (hardened) onto teeth and is quite porous and stains easily. Interestingly, acidic liquids such as wine, soda, and even some mouth rinses can accelerate the hardening of plaque into dental tartar that will only worsen the staining process.
Additionally, porous dental tartar provides a habitat for the bad bacteria to thrive, and as this tartar grows down into the gum line along with the tooth, symptoms of gum disease begin as your body battles the building periodontal infection.
Ironically, the deeper the infection in your gum line the more insulated the bacteria become from mouth rinse treatments, and even prescription mouth rinse can become ineffective. It will then be up to your dentist to determine a treatment plan. Periodontal disease can become a chronic infection and has been associated with everything from heart disease to dementia.
The best prevention for wine discoloration of teeth is to keep your mouth clean and healthy through good daily oral care that includes keeping plaque and tartar deposits off your teeth and seeing your dentist regularly.
Dr. Giuseppe Aragona
Dr. Giuseppe Aragona, General Practitioner and Family Doctor at Prescription Doctor.
Wine can stain your teeth, to put it simply. Wine is very acidic, meaning that it etches your enamel, making it more porous, and therefore allows the colour of the wine to go on your teeth and stain them. White wine is even more acidic than red but does not stain your teeth because it is white.
All in all, if you are looking to drink wine more often, I would suggest switching to white wine where possible, to avoid any staining that could happen. Eating while you drink can also help to avoid staining, as well as having water in between glasses.
This is a crowdsourced article. Contributors are not necessarily affiliated with this website and their statements do not necessarily reflect the opinion of this website, other people, businesses, or other contributors.
]]>While we don't know exactly what a "cockleshell" might be (don't worry, we looked it up for you here), we do appreciate a good garden. A healthy garden creates beautiful flowers and vibrant fruits and vegetables. And, healthy gardens demand quite a bit of work. They take sun, water, weeding, and patience, but the harvest is well worth the investment.
Healthy teeth are similar to a healthy garden. They take time, care, and are also well worth the investment of both. Another thing they have in common is the fact that the bountiful harvest of a garden does wonders for the teeth.
October is National Vegetarian Month. Becoming a vegetarian isn't required for healthy teeth, but adding some of these heavy-hitting fruits and vegetables to your diet will strengthen your teeth and improve your health all around. Dig in! (See what we did there.)
Apples
An apple a day keeps the doctor away, but it apparently keeps the dentist away as well. Or, at least it can keep the dentist away from that pesky root canal drill. Apples are nature's toothbrush. That delightful crunch is full of fiber and so it gives your teeth a nice scrubbing as you enjoy the snack. Apples can also stimulate saliva, the washing machine of the mouth. But still, go to the dentist!
Celery
This is another great toothbrush nature has created! Celery is rich in vitamins A and C. Chewing up celery isn't just a good workout for your jaw; its fibrous nature scours your teeth nicely. If plain celery sounds about as exciting to you as actually brushing your teeth, try using it to scoop up peanut butter, hummus, or another favorite dip. Can't do that with a toothbrush!
Carrots
You are probably picking up on a key trend here: raw, crunchy fruits and vegetables are fantastic for your teeth so munch away! Carrots have the added benefit of being chock full of vitamin A. When you can get bright colors AND a big crunch, then you have found a definite dental winner.
Leafy Greens
While we are on the subject of rabbit food, don't forget your greens. Leafy greens include spinach, kale, chard, and the rainbow of lettuces. These greens have a long list of good qualities. They are rich in folic acid, iron, and a lost list of other valuable minerals. Folic acid can be especially helpful in pregnant women, not only for the growth of the baby but for the prevention of gum disease. A big salad is obviously a wonderful way to get those greens, but you can sneak them in by other means as well. Throw some into a pasta salad, scatter them atop a pizza, or blend them into a vitamin-packed smoothie. See, that's not so hard, is it?
Seek out Vitamin C
Vitamin C is one of your mouth's best friends. It strengthens your gums and other soft tissues in your mouth, boosting the blood supply and keeping them healthy. Healthy gums hold on to teeth better, which has some clear benefits. Here is a quick list of some Vitamin C heavy hitters:
Getting Vitamin C is a delicious way to mark off your to-do list!
Berries
Oxygen is great for your lungs, but oxidation is not. Oxidation is a fancy word for oxygen breaking things down. It is similar to the process of something rusting out. So, when you hear about foods being touted for their "antioxidants," it means they are full of anthocyanins, which fight off the bad guys that settle into your body and cause problems. Those bad guys can cause problems for your teeth, so adding in foods high in these powerhouses is a brilliant idea. Berries top the list of anti-oxidant rich foods. Add blueberries to your oatmeal, enjoy a yogurt parfait with raspberries, and toss strawberries into a smoothie. There are countless ways to work berries into your diet. Get creative and let them do their job.
Water
Yes, we know it isn't a food, but water is such a valuable player in caring for your teeth, it deserves to make the list. Fruits and veggies have lots of wonderful benefits, but they also have sugar inside. Apple sugar is natural, but it is still sugar. So, leaving little bits between the teeth can still breed bacteria and trouble in the future. Bits of berries can do the same thing. Water is a powerful rinsing agent--use it often. We know that no one can live off of berries, apples, and leafy greens. Once in a while, there needs to be a brownie or a caramel. Enjoy the treat. Then, enjoy a nice tall glass of water.
Brushing, flossing, and rinsing are excellent and necessary strategies for strong and healthy teeth. But, like a healthy garden, much of the best work comes from the soil. Plant good foods full of vitamins, and your body and teeth will thank you for many years to come.
And if you’re unhappy with the color of your teeth, you can enhance your tooth care with a professional level teeth whitening system that you can do at home. Minimal hassle, maximum results. Contact One Click Smile to place your order.
]]>1-2-3-“Say cheese!” It’s a recipe for self-consciousness, given the prolonged introduction and all eyes on you. So how do you prep for a picture with a smile that looks fresh—not staged or strained? Read on to learn what the pros have to say.
Willie Greer
Willie Greer is the founder of The Product Analyst. A cinephile, he has made it a personal quest to achieve the most admirable home theater possible.
This might be the most difficult tip I can ever give, but the most effective. Believe me. People get conscious thinking they should look formal and be at their best when in front of a camera, which is what brings the uncomfortable feeling. But when you break free and let yourself out, without thinking what you might look like or how your face might register in the camera, your photo will be captured with the most authentic aura and smile.
Mike Miller
Mike Miller is the founder of Wilderness Times. After realizing he was spending way too much time in front of a laptop and not enough time in nature, he decided to do something about it.
My number 1 tip for having a warm, natural smile is to think of something funny. Everybody smiles when they laugh, so why try to reinvent the wheel?
The problem then arises that it's hard to laugh on command. I totally understand that, but I still recommend trying to make yourself laugh.
The reason is that when you think of something funny, you're not going to start hootin' and hollerin' and crying because you're laughing so hard. Sorry, there's no way you can trick yourself into doing that, but by imaging a funny phrase or situation, you can make yourself at least chuckle. Lo and behold, even with a slight giggle, you'll flash a natural, happy, smile—effortlessly.
The best things to think about to make you laugh are funny situations, memes, jokes, words, or people. Physical humor works well, too, so maybe you just imagine the cameraman falling. Either way, I recommend you spend some time on YouTube finding what content makes you laugh. Then, think back to those comedic clips to smile on command.
Dave Bowden
Dave Bowden, Founder of Irreverent Gent, a men’s style specialist, an Amazon bestselling author, an unrepentant introvert, a long-suffering Toronto sports fan, and the husband of an incredibly wonderful (if equally long-suffering) wife.
To give a natural, genuine smile for the camera, close your eyes before taking the picture and think of a person you love deeply, or a memory you cherish. It's important to close your eyes so you can picture this person or memory as vividly as possible. Remember the details and focus on what you love about that person or that moment in time; insert yourself into that memory as much as you can.
When you focus on a person or memory you truly cherish, you'll find that you can't help but smile.
After reaching the point where you feel so warm and happy envisioning your favorite person or memory, open your eyes and let the camera do its thing. Your smile will be as natural – and as glowing – as it gets.
Albert Lee
Albert Lee, Founder of Home Living Lab, a company centered on home improvement solutions.
The most natural way to smile for the camera is to simply think of something that makes you happy and smile in real life. A routine that I practice is to look down, close my eyes, and think back to something that I had a good laugh about. It could be my dog goofing around or my son saying something cheeky. A smile will naturally appear on my face. That is the moment where I lift up my head and open my eyes to give that perfect smile for the camera.
Julie Ann Dokowicz
Julie Ann Dokowicz is the CEO and Creative Director of Girl in Heels Travels, a creative agency providing content creation to brands and business, and an on camera/video coach for beginner
Elevate your mental, physical and emotional state before hopping on camera - this could include exercising, having a phone call with someone who makes you happy/makes you laugh, having a solo dance party before going on camera. All of these things will elevate your emotional state, and you will naturally be inclined to smile more once you get on camera.
The other tip I suggest is getting imaginative and pretending that someone you know and love is right down the barrel of the lens. This is a huge trick many actors and hosts use because it changes our energy entirely. When you can clearly picture someone who is a joy in your life, you will instantly begin to smile more without even trying.
Rex Freiberger
Rex Freiberger, CEO, Discuss Diets.
This can be a tough one. If you aren't trained in it, you're probably trying too hard and coming across as fake. When we focus on what our facial muscles are doing, we have a tendency to constrict them which immediately reads as unnatural.
The best thing you can do is first relax. Close your eyes, take a deep breath, consciously relax your facial muscles. Pull up the image of something that makes you happy in your mind and focus on that for at least 30 seconds. Let your smile come naturally, then open your eyes and proceed with the camera.
This is easier said than done. It can take practice. Don't get discouraged, just remind yourself to relax. A relaxed smile will look a lot more convincing than a tight one.
Gaurav Dhir
Gaurav Dhir is a lover of words and has spent most of his life studying interesting topics just so he can write about them. He is the editor and researcher of all health and lifestyle-related topics at Help and Wellness.
Practice makes perfect, and who would have guessed that also goes for smiling in front of a camera.
If you often find yourself in front of a camera and want to appear naturally, then you should practice it over and over again in front of a mirror. Find the perfect smile you want to present and repeat it every night in the mirror before bed. Then do it every time you walk by a mirror or have a few minutes of free time.
Celebrities and models practice their smile and that’s how they are able to have it appear so naturally for long periods of time when they are in front of a camera.
It sounds weird that practicing a fake smile will make it appear more natural in front of a camera, but it’s true—just like if you were to juggle or skateboard in front of a camera.
Samantha Moss
Samantha Moss, Editor & Content Ambassador at Romantific.
Think about something that makes you happy. The happiness inside you will make your smile more natural and will give your audience some positive vibes.
Prepare for it. Being at your best before facing the camera will help you gain more confidence. Wear your favorite shade of lipstick, color of tie or set of accessories. [This] will help you achieve the confidence you need. The more confident you are, the more natural-looking smile you’ll express.
Sonya Schwartz
Sonya Schwartz, Founder of Her Norm.
When you smile in front of a camera, it is important to not make your smile look awkward but to make your smile look natural.
Relax in front of the camera. When you’re nervous, not only will your smile look awkward, but even your actions will look awkward. So, stay calm and relaxed in front of the camera.
Release the tension from your face. It is easier to pull off a natural smile with a relaxed face. Try to relax your forehead, release your brow, and unclench your jaw.
Shari Smith
Shari Smith, a Business Coach and Founder of Shari-sells.
To be able to smile naturally, you have got to be truly happy about what you’re currently doing. Because if you’re not, no matter how many lessons you take or how many rules you follow, the smile wouldn’t appear as natural as a genuine smile that comes from the inside.
Think happy thoughts. Do you know those random moments in life where you just pause and smile effortlessly? Mimic those moments when in front of the camera by reminiscing [about] the last thing that made you happy.
Gintaras Steponkus
Gintaras Steponkus, Founder, Blogger & Editor of CameraHarmony.
I prefer money over cheese. It’s a Hollywood trick to say “money” instead of “cheese” as it clearly defines the lip shape with a perfect smile that looks more natural. I believe money brings more happiness than cheese and so the shoot turns out perfect.
Play a song and dance with joy. Good music is a good mood, and a few dance moves can bring more joy to your mood. When you get in a good mood, that time is best to pose for the shoot. The pictures will also come out tastier.
Smile randomly. The clicks that are random look more natural, and the results are better than the clicks that are posed by the photographer. Whether you smile or giggle randomly, the pictures will always be great and joyful.
Emily Pantelides
Emily Pantelides, President of Pantelides PR & Consulting, one of the best-recognized public relations brands in her area. Emily still hosts television shows on her local CBS affiliate.
I've spent 12 years on camera, and the one thing I can tell you is that staring into an emotionless black box and pretending that makes you happy is anything but natural. From an early age, we are taught to, "Say cheese" when the camera clicks, but the truth is, it's hard.
How do you smile naturally? There are a few tips the pros know that you should too.
First, this one is simple, but practice makes perfect. The more you smile on camera, the better you get at it.
Secondly, stare at yourself. This doesn't make you vain, it makes you pick up nuances that you can't exactly feel. What that means is, you probably can't feel that your smile is too big, but when you see it over and over again you may say a little less gum showing here, or a little more teeth showing looks good.
Lastly is contrary to everything you may think, but I want people to feel a little forced. Yes, feeling a bit unnatural will turn into feeling natural. Your natural smile that was so cute as a kid may not actually be your best look.
After reviewing yourself, see what you think looks best. Is your best look a half-smile? Is your best look a smile from the side? Decide what looks best and then force it and then pretty soon your forced smile will become a habit which will become natural and then you will look like your very best self.
Michael James Nuells
Michael James Nuells is a professional actor & special events manager residing in Toluca Lake, CA. He was recently featured in international news stories for The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Yahoo! Lifestyle. Find him here: MichaelJamesNuells
My favorite and most authentic tips for smiling naturally in front of the camera are to simply be yourself and always remember that you have nothing to lose.
These are just photos/videos, so you should take comfort in the fact that you can always have redos if you ever need them. When in front of the camera, show the joy and happiness that come from within.
In addition, show your teeth, smize, get a little goofy, and always keep in mind things that make you happy and want to smile. I personally even go as far as picturing the person behind the camera as someone I have a crush on, who makes me feel giddy and excited to be around at that moment. Getting into a proper pose and posture that also works for you personally is a tremendous help.
When you feel comfortable, you will look comfortable, and this will translate on camera as smiling and showing off those beautiful teeth, nice cheekbones, amazing facial features, etc.
Larry H. Oskin
Larry H. Oskin, President of Marketing Solutions / Art Beautique. He has been a successful professional commercial and fine art photographer for over 40 years.
Smiles. Art direct your models. I love happy-faced model photographs. Some people are challenged to pose with a natural-looking smile. Ask them to practice with some selfies at home before you shoot together.
Facial Expressions. Have your models smile big with and without teeth showing. Have them try to pose happily with a smile, and their eyes open, directed away, up and down. Try a few happy shots with their eyes closed. Have them pose in a variety of facial expressions from happy and serious to sad and excited.
Pose Positions. It is important to pose your models from at least three different angles. Have your model turn sideways to look over one shoulder, then the other, before facing square on to the camera.
Body Expressions. Look up creative body language and pose ideas on the Internet. Cut out preferred poses from magazines and print out potential poses you find on the Internet to use as a reference for you and your models.
Eye Expressions Are Essential. Try having your models look off to each side, up, down, and with their eyes closed, besides looking straight into the camera.
Wardrobe. Solid colors are always the best. Black can be slimming for your models. Avoid stripes and plaids. Avoid excessively loud and large jewelry. Try at least 3 different outfits for each portrait shoot.
Hair & Makeup. This is extremely important. Make sure your female models have makeup to further accentuate their facial portrait imagery.
Backgrounds. Try shooting both indoors and outdoors. Use a variety of wall textures, bright solid colors, and interesting background options. Poses can be in front of a very old rustic door or a beautiful field of sunflowers.
Props. Ask your models to bring a few props, like flowers, balloons, flags, a small pet, or a few of their favorite items for a few extra poses.
Creative Lighting. Use a flash indoors or outdoors. Never have strong light like a sunrise, sunset or window behind the model, unless you are using a fill flash. Try some Renaissance lighting with a darker room and only one light tightly directed towards their face. Try using romantic candles.
More Is Better. I always shoot as many extra photos (dozens or hundreds) as possible.
Art Direction. Have a plan. Don’t just have the model stand there in front of you – telling them to smile, while you randomly take a few quick candid snapshots. Be prepared by using these basic tips and researching other creative ideas.
Post Shoot Creativity. Try turning your traditional portrait photos into fine art photography by posterizing and adding some creative special effects with your computer.
John Frigo
John Frigo, Digital Marketing Lead at BestPriceNutrition.com
While there are some fortunate individuals who the camera just loves, and who love being in front of the camera, I think many of us struggle to smile naturally on camera as well as to just be comfortable on camera. While I don’t consider myself an influencer or Youtuber, due to my role in marketing for my job, as well as a lot of freelance work I do, I tend to be on camera a fair bit, and I’m not someone super comfortable on camera.
Some tips for being more natural on camera are to relax your jaw muscles, think about something funny or something that makes you happy, imagine someone you like or are comfortable with behind the lens or even look just above and beyond the lens if the lens itself gives you that “deer in the headlights” feeling.
This is a crowdsourced article. Contributors are not necessarily affiliated with this website and their statements do not necessarily reflect the opinion of this website, other people, businesses, or other contributors.
]]>It's All in the Wrist
Angle is a crucial part of effectively brushing your teeth. You'll want to hold your toothbrush head at a forty-five-degree angle against your teeth. This helps it get to the gumline. Use small circular motions and clean the outside surface of all the teeth, and you aren't sanding a deck, so go easy. Plaque can be removed by a gentle, regular brushing, no need to be rough. The inside surfaces need attention as well and those crevices in the back are often neglected. They work hard chewing and food likes to hide back there.
Flossing
Brushing and flossing go hand in hand because the toothbrush is not designed to go in between your teeth, but food loves to get trapped there and if left there, plaque will quickly join the party. If the bacteria in the plaque settles there and is not removed or disrupted by a floss, that could lead to swelling, bleeding gums, and loss of attachment of the ligaments to teeth that hold the teeth firmly. If it travels further down it could lead to loss of bone which leads to very mobile teeth, exposed roots, and extreme sensitivity. For more guidance, you can watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PreNWWOYfI
Don't Forget the Tongue
Brushing your teeth is pretty standard advice, but there's a big part of your mouth that sometimes gets ignored, and it deserves attention as well. The tongue might argue that it deserves a nice massage twice a day even more than the teeth--after all they just stand in one place, the tongue is the busy one! There are a few reasons why taking some time to clean your tongue with a tongue cleaner is a good idea:
Fresh Breath
We've all been in a conversation with someone to whom we might like to offer a free bottle of mouthwash. It isn't pleasant. And it is perhaps even worse worrying that we might be inflicting that on someone else. So, we dutifully brush our teeth, but they don't have much to do with the freshness of our breath. The tongue is the main culprit there. Teeth are smooth and shiny surfaces where bacteria can be washed away quite easily. The tongue, however, is a soft and squishy host for all kinds of bacteria. They can settle in and get quite comfortable there. Cleaning your tongue with a tongue cleaner regularly will help keep your tongue clean and your breath fresh.
Healthy Gums
Bacteria isn't just smelly, it is dangerous. The bacteria that lives so comfortably on your teeth can spread to other soft parts of your mouth, specifically, your gums. Bacteria can hide away in the pockets of your gums and lead to infection and, eventually, periodontal disease. This is an infection in those deep pockets between teeth and gums. Brushing your tongue can lower the chances of that happening dramatically.
Cleaner Tongue Makes Food Taste Better
Trust us on this one. Taking the time to regularly clean your tongue livens up the taste buds and removes plaque build up on your tongue. This regular scrubbing will leave your taste buds fresh and ready to enjoy that spicy salsa even more.
Immunity Boost
The tongue is the first line of defense. Everything you eat, drink, or breathe passes by your tongue first. Keeping that tongue clean with regular flossing and scraping your tongue can prevent toxins from being absorbed into your body and boost your immune system overall.
How to Do It?
When you brush and floss your teeth, you can give a bit of extra time to include your gums and tongue, and that will certainly help. Still, giving extra attention to the tongue itself will help even more. Here are some steps:
The advice to brush your teeth regularly is nothing new. We teach it to our kids early and are pretty good at remembering to do it ourselves. And when something is that regular, we sometimes stop paying attention to how we are doing it. Brushing our teeth at all is better than not brushing our teeth, but brushing our teeth the right way is even better. Get the right brush, the right angle, and do it for the right time. Get those teeth in the back and then take a few extra moments to give the tongue some attention. Your teeth will be whiter, your breath will be fresher, and your dentist bills will be lower. Happy brushing!
]]>If you’re a teenager, you probably see a lot of perfect pearly whites grinning at you from your Insta or Snapchat accounts. This may prompt you to want whiter teeth yourself, but you might be unsure of exactly how to go about it. Should you opt for a homemade strategy, one of the many products you see at the drug store, or a full-fledged teeth whitening kit? We asked a panel of professionals to share their favorite teen-friendly teeth whitening strategies. Read on to learn more.
Amanda Napitu
Amanda Napitu, Contributor at Dentaly.org. Her aim is to make oral health care easier to understand for everyone.
There are many reasons why your teeth might not be as white as you'd like. Maybe they are just naturally a bit yellow; maybe they are stained because of the foods and drinks you consume, or because of a medical condition. Or perhaps your oral hygiene is not as good as it could be.
Before you think about whitening your teeth, have a dental checkup and teeth cleaning to remove any plaque and tartar. This alone can make them look much brighter! Your hygienist will give you some tips for keeping your teeth clean and will check for problems like gum disease.
Providing your teeth and gums are healthy, you can consider a teeth whitening kit or professional dental whitening. It's always a good idea to discuss whitening options with your dentist, but if you can't afford their prices, whitening kits are a good alternative as long as you follow the instructions. Don't be tempted to use them for longer or more often than stated - this can damage your teeth and lead to expensive and painful dental problems later in life.
Some teeth whitening kits say they are suitable for use from age 9 or 10, but it's best to wait until you've had all your permanent (adult) teeth for at least 2 years. It takes this long for your enamel to harden properly, making your teeth less sensitive to bleaching.
Adrienne Carrie-Hubbard
Adrienne Carrie-Hubbard is a mother as well as a travel and lifestyle blogger, Hubbard Family Travels.
Coconut oil pulling, which is basically using one tablespoon of the oil and pushing and pulling it through the teeth. The lauric acid in it reduces inflammation and plaque and kills bacteria.
Brushing your teeth with baking soda. It has natural whitening properties and is very effective in removing stains. I mix around 1 teaspoon of baking soda with 2 teaspoons of water and use it as a paste.
Kelly Hancock
Kelly Hancock is a dental hygienist and oral health care lover at Toothbrush Life. She is passionate about oral hygiene. She has been working in the dental profession for 16 years and worked in many different roles in the dental industry.
As a pediatric dental hygienist, the question I am asked most often by my teenage patients is how can I whiten my teeth?
I always advise parents to not allow their teenagers to start whitening their teeth until about two years after all of their permanent teeth have fully erupted. This allows the teeth to develop more and causes less sensitivity and damage to the teeth.
A super easy way for teenagers to whiten their teeth at home is to make a paste out of baking soda and water and then brush their teeth with it. Do this every few days for a great DIY natural teeth whitener. Baking soda is very mildly abrasive and does not damage the enamel. Most people see great results with just one brush. Bonus points for baking soda because it also creates an alkaline environment in the mouth which helps inhibit bacteria from growing.
Once a teenager is ready to start whitening their teeth, a good place to start is by using drugstore whitening strips and whitening toothpaste. This will remove surface stains and can be very low cost with minimal sensitivity.
If once they begin whitening they start to experience sensitivity, they can stop their whitening treatment for a few days and brush with a sensitive toothpaste.
Always drink through a straw to limit the contact on the teeth with a liquid that could cause staining. Avoid foods that are dark in colors such as berries, plums, and dark liquids. Always brush and floss daily to avoid plaque and calculus buildup which can cause the teeth to appear yellow.
This is a crowdsourced article. Contributors are not necessarily affiliated with this website and their statements do not necessarily reflect the opinion of this website, other people, businesses, or other contributors.
]]>Many of us know that stress can disrupt various aspects of our well-being, from sleep patterns to weight gain (or loss) to heart health and more. But did you know it can affect your teeth as well? We asked medical professionals to expound on the implications of stress on dental health. Read on to learn more.
Alison Huff
Alison Huff is the Editor-In-Chief at Women’s Health Interactive and works as a freelance writer.
Stress can impact the health of your teeth, and it can do so in a few different ways.
Stress can sometimes affect the food choices we make – whether that means we’re craving sugar, sticky candy, sodas, or other foods that can negatively impact the physical health of our teeth. This is worsened, of course, if we’re not brushing and flossing regularly.
Additionally, even nail-biting – whether it’s a regular habit or one that only emerges in times of stress – can be harmful to your teeth. That’s a habit that I still have to fight, myself, and I do find that it is worse when I am stressing or worrying about something.
Those two things aside, I feel that the absolute worst way that stress can affect teeth is the tendency for a person to grind their teeth in times of stress, or even at night while they're sleeping.
I do not often feel highly stressed in my daily life (I’m pretty laid back, generally) and I don’t grind my teeth during the day, but I have a VERY bad problem with bruxism at night. Once in a while, I’ll catch myself clenching my jaw during the day but I make a point of relaxing it quickly whenever I catch myself doing it; clearly, I’m unable to do that at night while I’m sleeping.
Quite frankly, I’m realistically looking at the possibility of needing dentures within the next couple of years because of decades of bruxism. I do wear a night guard and that has at least helped to keep my teeth from breaking (for the most part), but I have substantial bone loss from the constant jaw trauma, and I’m only in my 40s. Granted, my genetics may play a role in this to a degree, but it’s definitely been made far, far worse because of teeth grinding.
For reference, I use soft plastic mouth guards you mold at home. I had a hard professionally-molded acrylic one – once. I wore it through in five weeks. My dentist was dumbfounded. They’re too expensive for me to front $400+ a month, so I make do with the cheapies you can buy over the counter.
Dr. Lina Velikova
Dr. Lina Velikova’s journey into the world of medicine started in 2004. After her graduation, she became motivated to become an immunologist. She has extensive experience as a scientist and author of scientific papers. Find her here: supplements101.net
If you’re stressed, you’re more likely to grind your teeth, which can have an abrasive effect on them, leading to their destruction.
If you’re stressed, it’s more likely that your immune system will suffer, and consequently, you’ll be more prone to cavities and dental-related infections and issues.
If you’re stressed, you’re more likely to develop canker sores, painful sores on the inside tissue of your cheek and mouth, leading to ulceration.
Dr. Joel Gould, DDS
Dr. Joel Gould, DDS author of the upcoming book “The Modern Epidemic” and Founder of The Modern American Dentistry Group.
As the adage goes, “You are what you eat,” meaning what is ingested is reflected on your outer layer. To get the fuel we need to function properly we rely on our greatest asset to break down our main energy source, those pearly white teeth. Proper oral care goes beyond brushing [the] teeth, gums, and tongue. It ties in with how we sleep and prevent illnesses that are detrimental to our health and well being.
Cassondra Feldman, Psy.D.
Dr. Cassie Feldman is a licensed clinical psychologist in Miami, Florida specializing in health and medical psychology. Find her here: drcfeldman.com
Stress can have unintended negative consequences when it comes to dental health and oral hygiene. When we consider the stress response, we can think of its impact at various levels. Biologically speaking, the release of stress hormones (such as cortisol) leads to activation of a slew of responses, including processes that can impact jaw tension and bruxism. These can lead to phenomena such as chronic jaw pain, disrupted sleep, and headache and exacerbate TMJ.
It is also interesting to consider the impact of stress on the role of healing. Based on the field of psychoneuroimmunology (PNI), which is responsible for linking the mind, emotional processes, and immune function, we know that wound healing can be impaired and delayed when there are higher levels of stress, making it harder to heal from potential oral wounds such as canker sores.
Lastly, it is important to consider stress associated with common disorders such as anxiety. This can often lead to jaw-related tension that may impact oral health. It may also lead to major depression which may manifest for some in the form of lack of self-care, which can include [neglect] of oral hygiene/health.
This is a crowdsourced article. Contributors are not necessarily affiliated with this website and their statements do not necessarily reflect the opinion of this website, other people, businesses, or other contributors.
]]>Teens are labeled as lazy and moody, but they are in school for eight hours a day, a full workday for their adult counterparts. Then, they go home with assignments to do plus perhaps a part-time job or practice or rehearsal—or maybe more than one of those. They have some stuff going on, and so do their teeth.
Moving and Grooving
Teens might be as tall as adults, but that doesn't mean they are adults. Tall doesn't mean fully grown, and their mouths are often slow to catch up with their legs. Some teens lose the last of their baby teeth quite late in the game, which means their teeth are still shifting and moving through the high school years. This can mean braces, retainers, or both.
Teens are in a phase where public opinion seems to trump everything. They are bombarded daily with social media images that tell them what they should wear and how their hair should look, and they are grinned at by hundreds of perfect Instagram smiles. That can put some mental pressure on a teen to change the way they look.
They need a supportive network that reminds them that their smile brightens up the room because it means they are happy, not because the shape of their teeth matches a famous person XYZ. If braces are desired, be patient with the process and encourage patience in your teen as well. The corrections will last a lot longer if the baby teeth are out of the way for good. If the shade is making your teen feel insecure with their teeth, they can see if they are eligible for at-home teeth whitening.
Danger, Will Robinson
An athletic teen faces a different set of problems. Not only do they have images of the Kardashians flying in their face, but they might also have baseballs, softballs, footballs, hockey pucks, or elbows flying in their direction. They want to play sports and look cool doing it, and so sometimes might resist a mouthguard.
Mouthguards conjure up the image of the generic mouthguards that come standard at any sporting goods store, which look about as comfortable as a boomerang in your mouth. Thankfully, there are custom made options, which will make them far more comfortable. This will work better but generally will cost more. The investment will probably seem very worthwhile when your teen is getting up off the field after a sharp elbow to the mouth, and all their pearly whites are still in their proper place. A custom mouthguard is far cheaper than an emergency dental bill.
Now, how do we get the mouthguard out of the custom cases and into your teen's mouth? Humans like to impress each other with our toughness, and this can be especially true of the adolescent brain, which is focused far more on popularity than protection. We can harness that tendency and tap into the world of celebrities. Steph Curry, LeBron James, and countless other athletes are being smart, cool, and safe all at the same time. Point a hesitant teen in their direction.
They are What They Eat
Teens are known for many things: texting at incredibly high speeds, sleeping for impressively long periods, holding a grudge, and consuming vast amounts of food in one sitting. That kind of food is, generally, not a salad. There is so much unhealthy food being marketed to the teenage population. Kids feel invincible and that affects what they choose to eat.
Soda is an especially dangerous enemy to teen health, and not just their mouths. Soda is full of sugar which turns mouths into bacteria breeding grounds. The carbonation in soda can also inhibit calcium absorption, which spells trouble for strong teeth. Encourage water whenever possible. Leading by example is a powerful way to do this! Encourage healthy snacks and try to keep fresh fruits and vegetables on hand for easy snacking. Raw fruits and vegetables are nature's toothbrush.
A teen's teeth can also be a signal for deeper nutritional problems and disordered eating. The social pressure for perfection can take its toll on a teen's body image, and that can sometimes lead to starvation or binge eating. This can be spotted in their teeth. Keep an eye out for teeth erosion, dry mouth, tooth decay, mouth trauma, enlarged salivary glands, and sensitive teeth. If you have any hunches or gut feelings, follow them! Keep your dentist in the loop, and they can look for these signs without being obtrusive.
Cheer Them on and Lead the Way
The teenage years have their challenges. They need extra love and affirmation, and sometimes they make that the hardest thing to give. The best thing we can do for them is to support them and give them the best example possible. Smile, brush, eat some carrots and give those kids a high five—and a hug if they’ll let you. They deserve it.
]]>Why Implants?
Dental implants are meant to last. They become a permanent part of your smile, and you don't have to keep track of them like a retainer. That permanence is also a comfort because they won't slip and slide when you smile or eat. They also won't affect your speech like retainers and dentures can. Another nice benefit of implants is that they help your jaw. Leaving a gap in your mouth can cause bone loss and affect your other teeth. Implants promote bone growth as the bones heal around the implant. Sounds pretty good, right?
What are Implants?
So, they sound good, but what are implants and how do they work? Dental implants are screwed into your jaw bone (thank goodness for anesthesia, right?!?). The screw works as a false root. Your jawbone heals and grows around the new "root." The screw is generally made of titanium or zirconium, with the top of the implant being a lovely white porcelain. If you are looking to get implants, take time to find the best dentist you can. Look for reviews on how well they did at matching existing tooth color and shape. You'll want a good fit--both with the dentist and your implants.
How are Implants Put In?
There are three main steps in the process of getting a dental implant:
What Next?
Once you have the dental implants in place, taking care of them isn't all that complicated. Those bionic biters will function like your real teeth, so take care of them the same way. See the dentist twice a year, brush twice a day, and drink plenty of water. Some foods and drinks have the potential to stain your teeth, so take care to drink plenty of water when you have tea, coffee, wine, or dark juices. Hopefully, flossing is a part of your daily dental routine already. If not, now is a wonderful time to start! With implants, you'll want to use unwaxed floss or a floss that is specific for implants.
What about Whitening?
If you are considering dental implants, you might want to consider getting whitening teeth treatments first. You'll want to get your teeth to the desired shade before getting the implants. Dental implants are permanent in their color. They are non-porous, so the whitening agents won't work on them in the same way they will work on your natural teeth. Getting your teeth whitened after the implants are put in will make the implanted tooth stick out quite a bit. If you are getting an implant in the back of your mouth, this might not matter as much. If you are thinking about dental implants and want to brighten your teeth before you do so, let us help you! Our system will get your natural teeth to the shade you want, and then you'll be ready for a new forever tooth (or teeth) to finish off your irresistible smile.
Eating the Rainbow
Everyone knows that eating a wide variety of colors is good for your body—unless the colors are coming from Skittles and M&Ms. That rainbow—the one filled with food dye and sugar—may not be such a good idea.
Now let’s talk about the healthy, natural rainbow of foods. Brightly colored fruits and veggies are chock full of antioxidants that can prevent disease, damage, and premature aging. However, these nutritious foods have a potential downside. Fresh foods such as grapes, blueberries, cherries, and beets can cause potential stains.
So what do we do when the good foods can have a bad effect? It would be easy enough to suggest that you simply not eat or drink anything from the list of staining foods. If you just ate white bread, rice, and apples, then your teeth would stay perfectly white. The rest of you, however, might have some struggles. Eating a wide variety of colors is good for the body and it can be good for the teeth. Just follow up any colorful foods with plenty of water and, if possible, mouthwash or a toothbrush.
Drinking the Rainbow
When it comes to beverages, colorless water is your very best bet. Not only does it have zero chance of staining your teeth, it helps rinse off any staining food or drink you've enjoyed. There are a few beverages that are especially dangerous to your pearly whites. These include tea, wine, and coffee. These indulgences have the added punch of being both dark in color and acidic, so it is a bit of a double whammy. Still, being mindful of that effect and taking the time to rinse well after drinking can go a long way in preventing the staining damage.
So, Now What?
Knowledge is power, but we still have to deal with yellow teeth. How can we keep our teeth looking more like pearls than lemons? Well, to quote the great Maria Von Trapp, "Let's start at the very beginning, a very good place to start. . ." The basics still hold:
Let's break that down a bit:
Brush
Brushing twice a day is sound advice, and adding a whitening toothpaste to that routine can take it a step further. Most whitening toothpastes use baking soda or hydrogen peroxide to help whiten your chompers. While you won't notice an immediate whitening after one brush, regular brushing will protect and preserve your white teeth over time.
Floss
Flossing won't necessarily whiten your teeth. But, this ounce of prevention packs a punch. Flossing removes the bits of food and bacteria that can get trapped and, if left unchecked, will create a breeding ground for yellowing plaque and tartar. It isn't glamorous, we know, but flossing is an unsung hero for whiter teeth.
Rinse
Water is a wonderful rinsing agent. But, rinsing with an antibacterial mouthwash is incredibly helpful in maintaining a gleaming grin. It is not a replacement for brushing or flossing, but it is a heck of a sidekick and will catch the villains that the brush and floss missed. Plus, you know you love that minty tingle!
Repeat
This might be the most important step in the recipe. Brushing is wonderful, but it won’t help much if we only do it every other day—even if we do it for 20 minutes at a time (plus, it might wear down your gums). It can take time to create habits, so be patient. If brushing is already a habit, but flossing is hard to remember, start small. Try flossing one day a week, then once that is a mindless habit, add one more day. Or, try flossing just one tooth a day! There is nothing wrong with starting small. Your teeth’s whiteness fades very slowly, so taking it slowly to get them back to where you want them will also take time. Just keep moving in the right direction.
These steps will go a long way in keeping your smile healthy, bright, and strong. Still, there are other steps you can take if you'd like to go a shade whiter than what standard brushing gets you. Here are a couple of home remedy ideas:
Oil Pulling
This one takes dedication. It is simple, natural, and inexpensive. You take one tablespoon of oil, coconut oil is a popular choice, and you pull it through your teeth, swishing it around your mouth. Here's the kicker: you keep at it for 15-20 minutes. That's a long time, but some people have found great success. Just be sure to spit it out in your trash can--coconut oil can solidify quickly and since your pipes are not trying to whiten their teeth, they might not appreciate being coated with coconut oil for a while.
Baking Soda
Lots of whitening toothpastes include baking soda on their ingredient list. It is a natural abrasive and whitener. You can skip the toothpaste and put it directly on your teeth. Mix one teaspoon of baking soda with two teaspoons of water and brush. Baking soda is also alkaline, which can help neutralize your mouth and prevent bacteria. And that, in case you are wondering, is a good thing.
These natural methods might work well for you, and they are a cheap and risk-free approach to brightening up your smile from time to time. If, however, the oil and baking soda approaches leave you wanting a shade brighter—or if you want a more efficient way to achieve gleaming, white teeth—we are here for you with our convenient, professional whitening systems that can be used at home.
One Click Smile is the result of years of research and testing. Its technology combines light treatment and hydrogen peroxide for safe and dramatic results. Let the daffodils corner the market on happy yellow things; we will help your teeth get back to that baby teeth white sparkle.
]]>As we all know, proper dental care requires daily brushing and flossing as well as regular trips to the dentist’s office. But there’s more to it than that. Our teeth depend on the nutrients we take in through our daily diet to stay strong, but what happens when your diet isn’t giving them all that they need? We asked experts to weigh in on the most important supplements for keeping teeth strong and healthy for life. Here’s what they had to say.
Azza Shahid
Azza Shahid is the Content Marketing Executive at DSRPT- a smart home company with features and citations in MSN, CMS Wire, and Outwit Trade. Besides that, she is the mother to a 3-year-old daughter who is sparkly and adventurous when she is not throwing tantrums.
Calcium is not only important for bones, but it is also important for your teeth. It helps in maintaining healthy teeth. If you suffer from calcium deficiency this will result in early tooth decay.
Phosphorus works with calcium to keep your teeth strong and healthy.
Vitamin D is important because it helps absorb calcium in your body, which in return helps keep your teeth strong.
Dusan Goljic, PharmD
Dusan Goljic, PharmD, Co-founder of DealsOnHealth, is a board-certified pharmacist and a project manager in digital healthcare services. He worked for a decade in various pharma sectors, including as a manager for pharmaceutical companies and as a community pharmacist.
Calcium. The first and most beneficial supplement for teeth is calcium. Calcium is a mineral that is permanently deposited in our teeth.
Enamel is the hardest substance in our body, and it consists of 95-98% inorganic matter—mostly minerals. The main mineral in enamel is a crystalline calcium phosphate called hydroxyapatite. When the enamel is weakened, calcium supplements help harden it and even repair it to some extent. It also strengthens the jaw bone, improving tooth retention.
Vitamin D is an essential vitamin for bone strength. It enhances the absorption of calcium, which is why it’s frequently recommended to take both vitamin D and calcium at the same time. Research has linked vitamin D deficiency with periodontal gum disease. It appears that vitamin D is an essential vitamin to take for gum immunity.
Theresa Quitto-Dickerson
Theresa Quitto-Dickerson has over 15 years of experience in tech and wellness and is the Founder & CEO of The Natural Mixx Company, an eCommerce tech company exclusively focused on organic health and wellness.
A little known vitamin supplement that does wonders for teeth strengthening is Cinnamon Bark. This supplement is high in aldehyde content, making it a strong antiseptic and antimicrobial supporter for oral health. This oil, found in supplemental capsules, is also an astringent, due to being high in tannins. This provides teeth the extremely valuable benefit of reducing irritation and inflammation on the surface as well as strengthening and firming oral tissue. Adding Cinnamon Bark as a vitamin supplement enhances the creation of a protective barrier against infection.
Lisa Richards
Lisa Richards is a nutritionist and author of The Candida Diet. She has been featured on Today, US News, Women’s Health magazine, Huffington Post, Healthline, the San Francisco Chronicle, Reader’s Digest, Lifehack, Insider, and Well+Good, among others.
Vitamin D is essential to the process of the body using calcium to support bone growth and health, and this includes teeth. When vitamin D levels are low, this process is not as efficient, and our bones can become weak. While we may not notice this initially, the side effects of our chronic vitamin D deficiency may show up later in life through fragile bones and poor dentition.
Supplementing with vitamin D for healthy teeth is almost useless unless you are also taking in enough calcium. You can supplement with calcium as well or take it in through your diet.
Megan Wong
Megan Wong is a Registered Dietitian whose focus has been on working with the geriatric population and in public health disease management. She is currently working with AlgaeCal - a company that works hard to help others regain bone strength naturally.
Calcium - Calcium helps strengthen enamel, the protective layer of your teeth. Damage to this outer coating is one of the main causes of cavities and can even lead to yellow discoloration, crowns, and root canals.
Vitamin D - There really isn’t a point of focusing on calcium unless you’re also focusing on vitamin D. Without vitamin D, you won’t be absorbing much calcium. Vitamin D can also help decrease gum inflammation, which can lead to periodontitis.
Vitamin K - Vitamin K2 activates two proteins that are key to healthy teeth and bones: osteocalcin and matrix Gla. Think of these proteins like traffic directors - they direct calcium to bones and teeth and keep it from depositing in unwanted places. These proteins also help to mineralize teeth and defend them from bacteria.
Phosphorus - Around 85% of the total phosphorus in our bodies is found in bones and teeth. Naturally, if your teeth are made of phosphorus, it’s important to make sure you’re eating enough to keep your teeth strong!
Cristina Svec
Cristina Svec is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with West Oakland Health in Oakland, CA. She provides Medical Nutrition Therapy for the clinic’s patients who have been found to have diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, as well as for those who want to learn how to better manage their weight.
There are four vitamins and minerals that are the most important in terms of tooth health. Those are calcium, vitamin D, phosphorus, and vitamin A.
Calcium helps with bone formation, and it strengthens tooth enamel. It is found not only in dairy foods, such as yogurt, milk, and cheese, but also in leafy greens, some beans, almonds, sesame seeds, or salmon canned with bones.
Vitamin D helps deposit calcium in the bones that support teeth. Vitamin D is not widely found in foods unless they are enriched with vitamin D, but it is easily formed in the body from the sunlight. Some food sources of vitamin D are fatty fish, milk, and breakfast cereal.
Phosphorus is very important for tooth enamel, and it can be found in meats, poultry, seafood, eggs, nuts, beans, and dairy products.
Vitamin A also helps build tooth enamel and is important for gums' health. It is found in cod liver oil, eggs, fortified fat-free milk, as well as orange and yellow fruits and veggies (sweet potatoes, cantaloupe, bell peppers, carrots, and squash).
Aside from these four vitamins and minerals, vitamin C is also important for gum health, due to its role in the formation of blood vessels and in controlling bleeding. Citrus fruit, berries, bell peppers, and tomatoes are all good sources of vitamin C.
Caleb Backe
Caleb Backe is a Health & Wellness Expert for Maple Holistics.
Vitamin K - Vitamin K blocks substances that break down bone, your teeth included. It’s also a calcium-binder which makes it essential for strong teeth. Combining these two factors means that vitamin K is a must-have to strengthen your teeth and generally improve overall oral health. You can find this vitamin in leafy greens, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts.
Phosphorus - One of the main dietary contributors to oral health is phosphorus. This mineral helps to absorb calcium and vitamin D, both of which are essential for your teeth. If your body is not getting enough phosphorus, you may experience chipping or breaking of the teeth. Phosphorus works to build strong tooth enamel. You can find this mineral in protein-rich foods such as meat, fish, eggs, and poultry.
Jonathan Bowman
Jonathan Bowman is a third-year dental student at the Dental College of Georgia. He is passionate about his patients' entire health and believes that proper care of the mouth is an incredibly important aspect of this goal.
Your teeth are not as unchangeable as you may think! Similar to how your bones remodel themselves over time, your teeth are also in a perpetual process of recreation through remineralization/demineralization cycles.
Acidic foods and acidic byproducts from the bacteria that live in your mouth have a pH low enough to break down the outer surface of your teeth. This leaches away calcium and phosphorus that make up the hardest substance in your body. In order to initiate the 'remin' cycle (remineralization), those minerals need to be available for your body to use. Ingesting these minerals through supplementation and whole foods is key to keeping a cavity-free mouth.
Vitamin D3's role in calcium utilization in the liver is especially important and often a supplement recommended for elderly patients. Another aspect that is not a mineral but essential for oral health is Vitamin C consumption. Vitamin C is necessary for the formation of collagen, the group of proteins that are present in your tooth structure as well as the ligaments holding your teeth in your gums and attaching them to your bone. This is why historically, patients who had scurvy (a collagen-related disorder resulting from low levels of Vitamin C) would frequently lose teeth that had no cavities but would simply detach from the bone. Supplementing with Vitamin C is especially helpful in patients who refuse to consume adequate fruits and vegetables.
One final key that should be considered is that one-half to two-thirds of our teeth are below the gums being held in the bone. Anything you would supplement to maintain healthy bone, including phosphorus and calcium, which make up a large component of bone matrix—or even zinc, which helps with recycling bone, will ensure your teeth continue to serve you for decades to come!
This is a crowdsourced article. Contributors are not necessarily affiliated with this website and their statements do not necessarily reflect the opinion of this website, other people, businesses, or other contributors.
]]>If 2020 has taught us anything, it is that there are simply things we cannot plan on. When we left the dentist that first time, clutching the dental prize bag, your path for perfect teeth was stretched out before you. And yet, we have to buy that whitening teeth kit and are surprised by cavities, cracks, and spots. We know the standard enemies to teeth, but there might be something else happening. What can be sneaking up on your teeth? A few surprising culprits are doing unexpected damage:
Chew Food. . . use the Screwdriver for the Other Stuff
The human body is a wonderful thing, with our different parts functioning in hundreds of creative ways, but, our teeth have just one straightforward purpose: chewing food. That's it. They are not designed to open jars, loosen lids, or bite nails. Ever try to use a hammer as a screwdriver? How did that work for you? Using teeth for things besides chewing food has real potential for harm. So, break out the bottle opener and save your teeth for apples--which are actually excellent for your teeth.
P.S. There is a fuzzy area here with ice. Yes, it is "sort of" food. But, don't let it trick you--it is not meant to be chewed, even if it is the “good” kind of ice. (I know you know what we mean) Pieces of ice can act like shards or knives if lodged into your gums by mistake while chewing, severing nerves which run all over your mouth, especially at the tips, which could be especially hazardous. Ice will weaken enamel and cause cracks and pain down the road, so chill with the chewing--see what we did there.
Skip the Sticky Stuff
Sugar-free gum can actually be helpful for teeth, but that is as sticky as it should get. Other sticky foods, such as taffy, gummy vitamins, and dried fruit, can gum up your teeth and are hard to remove. If you do indulge in the sticky foods, try to chase them with water as soon as possible. Water is wonderful for avoiding lasting damage to your teeth.
While we are on the subject of fruit, be aware that while fruit has wonderful health benefits, it is also high in sugar and acid. A delicious smoothie is chock full of both vitamins AND sugar. Again, drinking plenty of water will rinse it clean and avoid the damage that the fruit sugars can do.
Teacups, Mugs, and Long-Stemmed Glasses
Water is wonderful, but you probably want to drink other things from time to time. Some of the other options can cause staining on your teeth. Tea, coffee, and wine can stain teeth over time, and some of these beverages can be highly acidic, which is dangerous to that precious enamel. Another side effect of alcohol is that it reduces the flow of saliva to your mouth. Saliva is how our body rinses out debris, so less saliva can mean more cavities.
Too Much of a Good Thing
Believe it or not, you can overdo it on brushing and flossing. Brushing your teeth too hard with stiff bristles can wear down the protective enamel. Flossing vigorously can damage & make your gums bleed. You are meant to brush your teeth after you eat, drink, or smoke, but obviously that’s not feasible all the time. If you can drink some water and rinse your mouth with, that will take away some of the surface food particles and prevent staining. Chewing sugarless gum stimulates the saliva, which acts as a buffer for your teeth. Rushing in round small circles and holding the bristles at a forty-five degrees angle is recommended. Ask your dentist what that looks like as they will be happy to help you. Excessive use of the mouthwash can also cause staining, so check in with your dentist on this one as well.
Ounce of Prevention
These substances can sneak up on you, but the best defense is a good offense. Regular visits to your dentist will go a long way in undoing the damage. A check-up can spot troubles and a thorough cleaning will remove residue. Our professional whitening system can help remove any stains from the food and drink you love.
Brush, Floss, Rinse. . . and Keep the Toy.
Perhaps it has been a while since that first dentist's visit. The toys have changed, the toothbrushes have new colors, and the stickers are updated, but the tools in the bag are still plenty helpful. Regular brushing, flossing, and rinsing will go a long way in keeping those pearly whites healthy and strong. Being aware of the sneaky enemies will also go a long way. Watch out for the sticky and sweet stuff, keep a water bottle on hand, and use the bottle opener. We will be ready with the shiny star stickers. You just keep smiling.
Coming up on Sunday, June 21, we’ll have the chance to show our dads, stepdads, husbands, grandfathers and more how much we appreciate them with the advent of Father’s Day. You may be wondering exactly how to honor your dad, and that’s understandable. Flowers might be just the thing for Mom, but Dad can be trickier to buy for.
You don’t want Dad to feel skipped over—that was done for a lot of years in U.S. history when there was no official day to commemorate fathers. Consider this: In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson declared every second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day. Though there were local efforts to implement a Father’s Day (including one impassioned campaign led by a Spokane, Washington woman who was one of six children raised by a widower), the observance did not become a federal holiday until Richard Nixon signed a proclamation authorizing it in 1972.
At that point, the United States finally had official holidays in place to honor both of the heroes who stand at the head of families.
Activities for a Memorable Father’s Day
So how do you honor Dad—especially when you may be living in a place where things are shut down due to COVID-19? Here are a few ideas for spending time with Dad on Father’s Day:
What about Gifts?
So now that we’ve shared some fun activities for bringing the family together and making Dad feel like the star of the show, let’s talk gifts.
We all know that it is hard to think of a unique gift to give to the fathers in our lives. But, have you ever thought of giving them a brighter and whiter smile? Give them the gift of a more beautiful smile with a One Click Smile Teeth Whitening Kit.
Age takes a toll on teeth with the things we eat (and even some medications) causing our teeth to yellow and stain over time. And if your dad smokes, drinks coffee or red wine then his teeth may have sustained even more darkening over the years. But our at-home teeth whitening kit can help make your dad’s teeth bright and radiant so he feels more confident than ever about flashing his pearly whites.
Our kit is easy to administer and is available to anyone who wants to quickly whiten their teeth and get their perfect smile at an affordable price. It includes:
Why Choose One Click Smile for your Dad?
Fathers and husbands play a pivotal role in supporting the household and meeting the needs of their spouses and children. They tend to be adept at functioning in many roles, whether that be putting on a brave face to confront challenging situations head-on or showing a softer side when family members need a little extra TLC.
All of us at One Click Smile heartily salute all the dads out there who serve as modern-day heroes to their families. We appreciate all the heavy lifting that they do in all aspects of life. Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers and father figures! #loveoneclicksmile #smilewithoneclicksmile
CONTACT US TO MAKE AN ORDER
You still have enough time to give your dad a whiter smile this Father’s Day. You can contact our hotlines: +1 (530) 285-5559 (US) or +61 2 8294 8443 (AU)
Or email us at enquiries@oneclicksmile.com.au.
You can also visit our website for more information. https://oneclicksmiles.com/
]]>Times are tough right now with unemployment reaching levels we haven’t seen since the Great Depression. As of this writing, the Department of Labor tracked unemployment rates at nearly 15%. That means a lot of Americans are job hunting, and many more will follow.
If you’re a worker displaced by the COVID-19 pandemic, a new grad looking for your first full-time job, or if you are simply looking to upgrade your current employment, you will need a way to make yourself stand out from a large pool of job applicants. Resumes are a critical first step, but few things can cinch a deal like a winning job interview. That’s where you can really win the “heart and mind” of your future employer.
Of course, a good interview starts with a first impression that packs some punch. Popular research shows that it only takes seven seconds for you to make a first impression on another human being. Nail that first several seconds, and you’re at a distinct advantage over the other applicants.
You know that you have skills, work ethic and passion. You know that if the person sitting across the table from you could fully understand what you have to offer they would want you on their team. In this article, we’re going to share some practical tips for making a first impression that is high on “wow factor” and will sell your future employer on your strengths.
Be prompt. Are we stating the obvious here? Perhaps, but that’s because this bit of advice can’t be overstated. When it comes to negative behaviors of people interviewing for a job, this one has the biggest negative effect on an interviewer’s impression of the applicant, according to a Simply Hired study. The study states that 93% of hiring managers said that tardiness tainted their impression of an applicant. There’s no “fashionably late” when it comes to job interviews.
You can avoid being late by preparing things in advance—from the paperwork you’ll need to the clothes you will wear to the directions to the interview site. Does your suit need dry cleaning? Take care of that at least a week in advance. Is your shirt wrinkly? Pull out that iron the night before. Need an application? Have it completed, stapled, and sitting by your purse or briefcase.
You should also make sure that you leave the house well in advance. Psychology Today recommends that you arrive for your interview 15 minutes early, but even beyond that, you should build in slush time for unexpected traffic accidents, difficulty finding a parking space, etc. If you get there too early, no problem. You can always sit in your car and compose yourself. But being late—well, that’s hard to bounce back from.
If, in spite of your best laid plans, unforeseen events do make you tardy, plan to pull out of it with grace. Call as soon as you realize you’ll be delayed and offer to reschedule. Don’t try to blame someone else (“The traffic lights are sooooooo slow around here!”), and apologize sincerely to the person/people interviewing you. Then, let it go, focusing on positive things ahead in the interview (rather than getting sidetracked by what went wrong).
Be confident. Nerves are natural, and unless you’re a robot, you’re probably going to feel a little jittery when you walk into an interview. Our best advice here is to “fake it ‘til you make it.” Act confident even if you don’t feel that way; you’ll be surprised at how many people you can fool.
Keep your breathing and tone of voice slow and even. Walk with your shoulders and head high, and deliver a firm handshake with spot-on eye contact. Not your natural state? Practice with your partner or roommate. Make sure that your answers are positive and deliberate, not timid or wishy-washy.
Groom for success. Don’t show up at a law firm in a t-shirt and jeans. Dress to fit the part—and if in doubt, go a little more formal. Clothing is a fun way to express yourself, but remember that you may turn off your interviewer if you wear anything too dramatic. The nose ring may be just perfect for your day-to-day life but probably not for your big job interview. If in doubt, err on the side of being conservative (unless you’re interviewing somewhere that explicitly encourages edgy or creative expression).
If there is something about your appearance that could distract your interviewer—yellowed or crooked teeth, skin rashes, etc.—look into options for modifying the issue. A good at-home teeth whitener can do a lot for your smile. If your teeth are excessively crooked, you may want to talk to an orthodontist about braces. This won’t fix the problem on contact, but it’s a good investment that may help your job success in the future.
Develop your unique selling proposition. You may not have 30 minutes to tell the HR manager all of the great things about you in the course of the interview, so make sure you know how to articulate the two to three things that make you a better fit for the job than the other applicants. This is often referred to as your “unique selling proposition” or USP.
Granted, your USP may not come through in that 7-second snapshot we discussed earlier, but you should be prepared to communicate it—even if you only have a few minutes in the hot seat.
It’s a good idea to decide on your USP in advance and practice relaying it, backed by specific evidence. For example, if you want your employer to know that you are innovative, be ready to tell him or her about the recycling project you started at your last job and exactly how much waste it stopped from going to the landfill. (Quantifying results is always a plus.)
Prior to your appointment, do a “mock interview” with a friend. Have them ask you all kinds of questions that a prospective employer might ask. (There are plenty of ideas on the internet.) As you answer this question, look for ways to reference your unique selling proposition points in ways that sound natural.
Let’s take a look at some examples so you can see how this might play out in real life. If your employer asks about your biggest strength, let them know that you’re a good problem solver by telling them about that Excel program you created that eliminated X hours of work and saved the company X amount of money. If they ask you why you want to work for their company, talk about how you admire the company’s creativity, citing a couple of examples of how the company works in out-of-the-box ways. (Hint: You’ll want to poke around on the company’s social media sites and websites so that you can answer questions like this intelligibly.) Then, talk about how this meshes well with your own drive to create, discussing an inventive program that you developed at your last place of work.
Be nice. Say thank you to the doorman. Be courteous to the receptionist. Nod and say hello to the guy sitting in the cubicle that you pass on the way to the HR manager’s office. Employees talk, and scuttlebutt about an applicant’s unkind behavior could float up to leadership. Plus, being nice is just the right thing to do.
When you’re in the interview, relax and don’t forget to smile. That simple flex of the mouth muscles is the most recognizable symbol out there, and it can help endear you to your interviewer in a way that few other things can.
Job hunting is outside of most people’s comfort zones, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. You have a lot to offer the world, and by polishing up your first impression, you can get the attention of future employers and let them know why their team would be better with you on it.
Get yours from www.oneclicksmile.com.au
This teeth-whitening system is designed by dental hygienist Tanaz Warden who had professional frustrations and dissatisfaction with the teeth whitening services currently available. Her goal was to create an easy and portable whitening kit that gives effective and fast results all while being affordable, too. Combining her professional expertise with her husband's knowledge in the business (who is a successful pharmacist), she designed the kit and conducted tests- which by the way, does not involve animals- and trailed her developed product with a group of early adopters.
How exactly does this teeth-whitening kit work, then? Primarily, the kit offers a specially designed brush pen which will allow you to put the whitening gel directly to the teeth. This makes the whitening process free of a mess as your teeth will directly absorb the solution that will not disperse into unwanted locations like the gums. See, the gel is composed of hydrogen peroxide with 6% concentration. As getting such a solution into the gums may cause sensitivity and other gum problems, Tanaz made sure the process will be safe for every part of your oral cavity by designing a brush pen rather than a mouthpiece and maintaining the percentage of the substance at the safest level. As safe as it is, the kit is approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration, a seal of approval only a few whitening products can boast.
Now, why only 6% of concentration if the gel is expected to whiten teeth in only 10 minutes? Studies suggest that high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide will greatly contribute to the erosion of the tooth enamel. Once this enamel is completely dissolved, the dentin which is the yellowish tissue that protects the pulp inside will be exposed. Thus, the teeth will appear more yellow instead of getting whiter if another level of concentration was selected.
Moreover, a higher concentration of hydrogen peroxide means there will be a higher amount of peroxide that will reach the pulp. This frequently leads to teeth sensitivity that will have to be treated for a long time. Because of this, the kit uses the advisable percentage of concentration that is only 6% contrary to the 35% dental clinic services offer. While it is true that this lower percentage will necessitate a longer period to effect, it is safer than in-office bleaching, and will still oxidize in 10 minutes once applied in the teeth compared to carbamide peroxide that needs at least 20 minutes to get corroded.
How, then, can the OneClickSmile kit promise 2-8 shades whiter teeth in just 6 days considering the gel would have to be used for a long time first? This is where the LED light comes into the scene. Low concentration of hydrogen peroxide may take a while longer to efficiently whiten the teeth, but that is only if it is on its own. The use of LED light will enable the solution to penetrate the enamel and dentin to break the stain molecules in just 10 minutes even with lower concentration. Hence, OneClickSmile can assure shades whiter after every use! What's more amazing is that, as this kit is designed to be portable and easier to use, the LED light accelerator can be plugged in any USB outlets. It has 3 ends which can be plugged into iPhones, Android phones, or even laptops.
In the photo: Monica Dong
Therefore, with this kit, you can whiten your teeth anytime and anywhere, even while exercising or texting or something else. Just apply half of the whitening gel into your teeth (there is a line provided as a guide), plug the LED light accelerator into any USB outlet an hour or two after a meal, and your smile will be shades brighter! Make sure to allot 1-2 hours before you take a meal after use.
In the Photo: Kira Baddeley
Note, however, that the shade progress will depend on the user's lifestyle, still. While OneClickSmile can eliminate the stains caused by the food you eat and your oral habits, regularly staining and chipping your enamel would still make a difference with the product's effects. People who practice good oral health hygiene and routines, for example, will progress 2-3 shades whiter after every session, in comparison to only a shade whiter of those who frequently drink or eat acidic and tannin-containing foods. The good news is, you can use the OneClickSmile teeth whitening kit for as long as you want, with just a month in between usage. After the six-day treatment, you can wait for a month to get your teeth even whiter if you want further shades improvement!
In the Photo: Tylah Barker
What, then, are you waiting for? Visit our website now! Because with OneClickSmile, you're just a click away from an awesome smile!
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Therefore, giving time for your family is so important on holidays. As the song goes, it's the most beautiful time of the year. The kids are on school break, and a lot of us are given the privileges to have time-offs from work. It's the season families can get together and catch up from the whole year of being busy.
That's basically the whole point. Holidays are mostly celebrated so families can have at least some days to have fun and express their love to the fullest. It's the season to make up from exchanging frowns due to stress and tiredness, to sharing warm smiles with the purest affection.
Share the brightest and warmest smiles then with OneClickSmile teeth whitening kit. Our kit consists of 3 2ML teeth whitening gel which are tested and proven by the Australian Dental Association, and are compliant with ACCC product Safety; an LED light accelerator that fastens the gel's whitening properties up to 2 shades whiter in just 10 minutes; a teeth shade chart to help you monitor your progress; an instruction guide to help you ensure you're on the right track; and a specially designed brush pen which contains the gel which can ensure you no teeth nor gum sensitivity progression. This kit is totally vegan-friendly, efficient, and affordable.
So affordable you can actually distribute kits to your family members so this holiday season while be lightened up by your brightest and warmest smiles! Make everyone ready to say the merriest cheese for family photography and be a click away from an awesome smile!
Enjoy and spread the love and kindness these holidays! #loveoneclicksmile #smilewithoneclicksmile
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