It’s an unfortunate but true fact of life for parents of teenagers: we can’t be around them all day long to help them make the right choices. But we can set a good example and provide them with plenty of encouragement to make the choices in life that are best for them. This includes choosing the foods that promote healthy teeth and gums. Rather than letting your teens fill up on sweets and fast foods, make sure you have these tooth-healthy choices available for them at home on a regular basis. Once they become accustomed to making healthy diet choices at home, they’re much more likely to make those same choices when they are out in the world on their own:

• Lean protein – Protein is vital for all of us, and the phosphorus found in many protein-rich foods helps to keep teeth strong. Fortunately, there is a huge variety of lean protein choices available to keep on hand for your teenager, such as eggs, poultry and fish, as well as beans and nuts.
• Low-fat dairy products – Packed full of calcium, low-fat milk, cheese and yogurt are excellent additions to your teenager’s tooth-healthy diet. And there are other great options that fall into this same category, such as fortified nut “milk” and flavored tofu.
• Fresh produce – Your teen’s teeth and gums will benefit from the vitamins and minerals found in virtually all fresh produce. But the vitamin C found in citrus fruits, peppers, tomatoes, potatoes and spinach is especially healthy for their gums. Crunchy snacks like apples, carrots and celery not only provide vitamins and minerals; these foods also promote saliva production and help to keep teeth clean.
• Nuts – Most teens love to snack, so keep nuts on hand to give them a healthy snack alternative. The calcium and phosphorus found in almonds, cashews and Brazil nuts help to make teeth stronger and to fight tooth decay.
• Sugar-free chewing gum – Believe it or not, chewing sugar-free gum is actually good for your teen’s teeth and gums! Chewing gum helps to stimulate the production of saliva, which works to wash away any leftover food particles inside the mouth, and that reduces that chance for cavity-developing bacteria to grow. Just make sure that the chewing gum you have on hand for your teens is sugar-free.

The other very important part of helping your teenager to make the right diet choices is to avoid having bad ones around the house. Don’t keep sodas on hand, for example. The sugar can lead to tooth decay, and the acidity in sodas (even diet sodas!) can erode tooth enamel. Instead, keep fluoridated bottled water at home for your teen. Don’t stock up on candy, crackers and other processed food. Instead, have plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and low-fat dairy products available for your teens. We may not be able to be there every minute of the day, but we can still encourage our teenagers to make diet choices that are healthy for their teeth and gums, as well as their overall health.

Starting your child off right when it comes to daily oral hygiene can mean the difference between a lifetime of good habits and a never-ending string of dental problems. One of the most important choices you can make when it comes to your child’s oral health is finding the right toothpaste. Not only does it need to be effective and appropriate for the age of your child; it also has to have a flavor that your little one will like.

Most kids are cavity-prone. And one of the best ways to fight tooth decay is exposure to a naturally occurring mineral called fluoride. Not only does fluoride help to decrease the number of cavities for your child; it also helps to strengthen the enamel of baby teeth. In fact, fluoride is so effective that many cities and towns have added it to their municipal water supplies. The amount of fluoride your child is exposed to can make a marked difference in his or her oral health. For this reason, many dentists recommend a fluoride toothpaste for children. This is particularly important if your water supply does not contain fluoride.

The toothpaste you choose for your child should be approved by the American Dental Association, so look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance on the package label. And, of course, the paste should come in a flavor your child enjoys – or can at least tolerate. Fortunately, kids’ toothpastes usually come in a variety of flavors, one of which is likely to appeal to the tastes of your little one.

Whatever toothpaste you choose for your child, make sure that you use the age-appropriate amount. For toddlers, that’s not very much. In fact, the ADA recommends only a “smear” of fluoride toothpaste for kids under 3, which is about the size of a grain of rice. Older kids (above the age of 3) should be using a pea-sized amount. And, just like adults, children should have their teeth brushed at least twice a day.

Parents should also be aware that the ADA recommends taking children in for their first visit to the dentist at or around the age of 1, or whenever their first baby tooth erupts. This may sound early, but the sooner your child becomes accustomed to dental visits, the easier it will be to take them as they grow older. Another advantage to early dental visits is that your little one can be educated about good oral hygiene habits by your dentist, who will also be more likely to catch dental problems or bad oral habits (like thumb-sucking, for example) early enough to resolve them quickly if you bring your kids in at an early age.

When it comes to taking care of your teeth and gums, the kind of toothpaste you choose can really make a difference. It all depends on the current state of your oral health. When looking at the dozens of brands to choose from at your local supermarket or drug store, you may think that one toothpaste is just as good as another. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. Here are some of the types of toothpaste most recommended by dentists, and who should be using each one.

• Tartar control toothpastes: Tartar is the hardened plaque material that forms on the tooth surface. In truth, only a trained dental hygienist or dentist using specially designed tools can actually remove tartar. But once you’ve gone through a professional cleaning, you can use a tartar control toothpaste to help prevent it from forming again. This type of product is especially useful for people who are prone to fast tartar buildup.
• Fluoride toothpaste: Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that is extremely effective in fighting tooth decay. If you are cavity-prone, a fluoride toothpaste can help. This type of product is also a great choice for kids, since they are usually more likely to develop tooth decay than adults. Be sure to check with your dentist before choosing a fluoride toothpaste for your children, however, since too much fluoride can actually damage and/or discolor the tooth surface.
• Toothpaste for sensitive teeth: If you have sensitive teeth, this type of toothpaste is a must-have. Desensitizing toothpastes work wonders. Usually within just a few days of using this type of toothpaste, your sensitivity will be greatly decreased or will go away altogether. There are several brands to choose from, and most of them are equally effective.
• Whitening toothpastes: Tooth whitening products have become increasingly popular over the past few years. Although whitening toothpastes can take a long time to produce any visible whitening results, they do actually work – you just need to continue using them consistently over a long period of time.

Whatever toothpaste you choose, make sure it is approved by the American Dental Association. If you aren’t sure about the quality of a certain brand, ask your dentist. Of course, no toothpaste is effective if you don’t use it, so be sure to brush twice a day and floss at least once a day. And, of course, remember to visit your dentist at least twice a year for oral exams and professional cleanings.

Who wouldn’t like a whiter smile? In fact, more and more people every year are purchasing over-the-counter whitening products to make their smiles as attractive as possible. That makes sense. A nice smile, after all, makes you feel better about yourself and more confident about your place in the world. But before you choose an over-the-counter whitening product, make sure you know that it will work. One product that sounds almost too good to be true are whitening pens, which – according to package claims – the user can simply wipe on their teeth in a few short minutes and enjoy a brighter smile. In this article, we’ll examine some of those claims about whitening pens and provide you with our assessment about these products.

While it’s true that some people may see limited results from a whitening pen, most will probably see no change whatsoever after using these products. There are several reasons for this. Most whitening pens contain hydrogen or carbamide peroxide, and while both of these ingredients are used in effective teeth whitening products, the simple act of dabbing them onto the tooth surface will have extremely limited (if any) effect at all unless they’re left on for an extended period of time. Another problem with whitening pens is that they don’t prevent saliva from washing away the whitening agent. Since you’re simply painting the solution onto your tooth surface, the saliva produced in your mouth will quickly wash away the whitening solution. Even if you see bubbles on your teeth after using a whitening pen, that doesn’t mean it’s making any difference in the shade of your teeth.

Now that we’ve explained why whitening pens don’t work – or don’t work well, at least – we should mention that this type of product might have some limited usefulness. When you eat or drink foods or beverages that easily stain teeth, it might actually be helpful to use a whitening pen immediately afterward to keep staining at a minimum. We don’t usually brush our teeth immediately after a meal, so foods and beverages that produce stains are left on the surface of our teeth for some amount of time prior to brushing. That can allow stains to begin forming. Using a whitening pen right after eating may help to reduce the staining effect. Of course, you could brush right after a meal, which would be just as effective, if not more so.

If you really want your teeth to be significantly whiter, contact your dentist office and ask about professional whitening products. Those whitening kits provided by your dentist are always more effective than any over-the-counter product.

With the holidays right around the corner, it’s that time of year to start shopping for all the friends and family on your gift list. If you’re like many of us, Christmas stockings are part of the fun. If you’ve run out of creative ideas for stocking stuffers this year, why not consider thinking outside of the box and filling them with items that are actually useful and helpful! These ideas can be especially appropriate for parents who might be used to giving their kids candy in their stockings. This year, try taking the opposite approach. Here are a few ideas for oral health care stocking stuffers.

• Fun dental products for kids. Manufacturers of dental products make a variety specialty items designed especially for the little ones. Make tooth-brushing time fun with brightly colored or cartoon-theme toothbrushes, flavored toothpastes, a cool toothbrush holder, and a kid-designed plastic cup for rinsing after brushing.
• Dental products for adults. If your gift list includes stockings for adult members of the family, you can stick with your oral-health theme by including new manual toothbrushes, travel-sized toothpaste and mouthwash, and a couple of pocket flossing products.
• Opt for tooth-healthy snacks. Skip the candy this year and go for snacks that are not only healthy but delicious too. Kids love treats like small boxes of raisins, bags of nuts, sugar-free gum, fruit “leather” and bags of trail mix or granola. Just make sure the treats you include have no added sugar. You may be surprised how much your little ones – and adults as well — will love these snacks!
• Pick fun toys for the tots. In place of candy, find small toys to fill your kids’ stockings. Decks of cards, fun-colored pencils, miniature books, stickers, and bouncy balls are all great replacements for cavity-making candy.
• Choose fun stuffers for adults too. Kids aren’t the only ones who’ll enjoy small gifts in their stockings. For adults, include sets of inexpensive pens or pencils, notepads, keychains, small flashlights, flavored lip balm, small bottles of hand lotion, playing cards, inexpensive sunglasses, socks – the list is almost endless!

This year, why not try something new when it comes to stocking stuffers? Chances are, you’ll be assembling stockings for people you love, so take this opportunity to give them gifts that are not only fun, but good for them as well. After all, if you could give any gift to someone you love, it would probably be the gift of good health, or in this case, good oral health.

Developing cavities takes no skill at all. In fact, tooth decay can happen to any of us at any stage of our lives. It’s particularly prevalent on the teeth in the back of your mouth, also called molars. These are the teeth we use to chew food, so it’s only natural that food particles get trapped between these back teeth. Molars also have grooves that are called fissures and pits. These help us to more effectively chew our food, but they make it very difficult to clean these teeth since food can get trapped inside these grooves. Molars are also more difficult to thoroughly clean because of their location in the back of your mouth. In fact, even if you brush and floss vigorously and often, you can still miss food trapped in between molars and inside their tiny pits and fissures.

Fortunately, there is something your dentist can do to help protect teeth from collecting food particles and developing decay: dental sealants. A sealant is a smooth, extremely thin plastic coating that your dentist can apply directly over your natural teeth. A sealant protects your teeth, helping to prevent plaque and tartar from building up, and thus preventing decay from forming.

Although sealants have been used by dentists for many years – decades, in fact – it’s only recently that research has shown how sealants can not only protect teeth but can actually stop the early stages of tooth decay. This means a tooth that might otherwise eventually need a filling or crown might not if a sealant is applied in the early stages of decay when the bacteria can be sealed in.

It’s no wonder that dental sealants have become increasingly popular over the past several years, since they are an excellent way to prevent cavities from forming. Any age dental patient can benefit from sealants – from young children to the elderly. And there’s more good news about sealants: the procedure involved in applying them is remarkably quick and easy. Your dentist begins by thoroughly cleaning the teeth that will be sealed. After that, he or she simply applies the sealant directly to the tooth surface and uses a specially designed light that helps the sealant bond to the tooth enamel. The entire procedure typically takes only one visit to the dentist office.

Of course, nothing replaces a daily oral hygiene routine at home and regular trips to the dentist for professional cleanings and exams. Sealants can be a great way of protecting teeth from decay, but you’ll still have to take all the other steps necessary to ensure that you enjoy good oral health for years to come.

Brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing at least once, in addition to visiting your dentist on a regular basis, is essential to maintaining healthy teeth and gums. But researchers have discovered recently that there may be another way to help prevent cavities, and it’s a simple everyday habit that many of us enjoy: chewing sugarless gum!

There are countless personal habits that are bad for our teeth – from smoking to chewing ice to drinking too much soda – so what a pleasant surprise to find one habit that’s actually good for our oral health! The American Dental Association has found that chewing sugarless gum works to increase the flow of saliva in the mouth, and that helps to rinse away leftover food particles and harmful bacteria that can cause cavities. And it doesn’t even take that long to do some good. Researchers believe that chewing gum for even 20 minutes a day can make a difference.

Increasing the saliva inside your mouth provides more benefits than simply washing away bacteria and food particles. Saliva contains phosphates, fluoride and calcium, all of which help to strengthen the enamel layer of your teeth. Saliva also helps to neutralize acids inside your mouth, which also strengthens enamel. If you don’t have enough saliva flowing inside your mouth, you have a much higher risk of developing tooth decay and gum disease, not to mention other oral health issues. Because chewing gum stimulates the production of saliva, it can be a great habit for healthy teeth and gums.

Of course, it has to be sugarless gum. The sugar contained in regular gum will have the opposite effect of feeding unhealthy bacteria and promoting tooth decay. Fortunately, there are a variety of sugarless gum products to choose from.

So the next time you’d like to indulge in a habit, why not make it one that you’ll actually benefit from? Chewing a stick of sugarless gum not only helps promote good oral health, it also helps to keep you away from eating too many snacks. And some recent research suggests that chewing gum can actually increase your brain activity and improve your memory! Naturally, in order to get all the oral health benefits from gum chewing, you’ll still need to maintain a regular oral hygiene routine at home and visit your dentist at least twice a year for professional cleanings and exams. Still, it’s nice to know that there’s one daily habit that we can all indulge in without the guilt!

Dental research has come so far over the past several years. Not only do we now have the benefit of a wide variety of high-tech dental procedures available to save our teeth, we also know exactly how to maintain an effective oral hygiene routine at home. But good oral health isn’t just about dental procedures and brushing your teeth; the health of your teeth is impacted significantly by the foods you eat every day, which is why we have compiled this list of the of the healthiest foods for your teeth.

• Dairy products — specifically cheese and yogurt: While it’s true that most dairy products are good for your teeth because they contain calcium, cheese is particularly beneficial. Recent studies have found that people who ate cheese experienced an increase in the pH level inside their mouths, and that helps fight tooth decay. Yogurt provides special benefits as well. Although the protein and calcium in yogurt helps to make teeth strong, it’s the probiotics in yogurt that help to fight against cavity-causing bacteria inside your mouth. Sugar-free, plain yogurt is the best choice for tooth health.
• Produce – especially carrots, apples, celery and leafy greens: Carrots help to increase the amount of saliva produced inside your mouth, and that helps to rinse away bacteria and leftover bits of food. The same holds true for apples, which have the added benefit of being a sweet treat. Apples and carrots not only help clean your teeth, they are also an effective way of stimulating your gums. This, combined with the fiber and nutrients contained in them, make carrots and apples very tooth-friendly. Another example of a vegetable that doubles as a natural toothbrush is celery, which is a great way to scrape off food and bacteria from your teeth, and provide you with a healthy dose of vitamins A and C at the same time. Most of us have heard about the benefits leafy greens provide for our overall health, but they’re also excellent for oral health. Leafy greens are high in calcium, folic acid, and B vitamins, all of which promote tooth health and may even help to fight off gum disease.
• Nuts – specifically almonds: If you’re looking for a tasty snack (minus the sugar) that’s also good for your teeth, grab a handful of almonds, which are an excellent and delicious way to get a tooth-healthy dose of calcium and protein.

Eating the right foods, in addition to practicing a daily oral hygiene routine at home and visiting your dentist on a regular basis for professional cleanings and exams, is the road to tooth health. Practice these routines to enjoy a lifetime of good oral health.

There have been several news stories in the media lately warning that drinking too many soft drinks may not be the best choice for your overall health. But there’s something else you should know regarding sodas: they may not be good for your oral health either.

Enamel is the hard external layer of your teeth. When you whiten your teeth, it’s actually the enamel of the tooth that is whitened. Enamel not only allows you to have a whiter smile; it also protects the interior of your teeth. When you drink soda – even if the soft drink only comes into contact with your teeth for a very short period of time – it can damage the enamel layer of your teeth. If you drink soft drinks regularly for a long period of time, it can cause significant damage to enamel, and once it’s gone, you can’t replace it.

When your tooth enamel is compromised, you’ll likely experience several negative symptoms as a result, including:

• Increased sensitivity to hot and cold food and drinks
• Yellowing of the teeth that cannot be altered by tooth-whitening products
• Weakening of the tooth structure, often leading to chipping or cracking of the teeth
• “Cupping” on the tooth surface

Choosing to drink diet soda doesn’t necessarily less the damage to your teeth. While it’s true that sugar isn’t good for your teeth, when it comes to soft drinks, it’s actually the phosphoric acid or citric acid in the beverage that damages the enamel on your teeth. So diet sodas aren’t the answer either.

If you want to enjoy the occasional soda, there are some ways that you can still do that and minimize damage to your teeth:

• Use a straw, which will limit the amount of time the soda comes into contact with your teeth
• Choose root beer, which is not carbonated and does not contain phosphoric or citric acid
• Cut down on the number of soft drinks you consume overall
• If you do choose to drink soda, stay away from citrus-flavored, non-cola drinks because the citric acid in these drinks is especially damaging to teeth
• Even though both diet sodas and regular sodas erode tooth enamel, diet sodas are somewhat less damaging that regular sodas, so if you really feel the need to have a soft drink, make it diet

Of course, the best choice of all is to avoid soft drinks altogether. Milk and lactose-based drinks are actually good for your teeth and may be a great choice as a beverage with a meal. Water or iced tea are other choices, although iced tea should be kept to a minimum since it can stain your teeth. Remember that once your enamel is gone, you can’t bring it back, so make the best choices to protect your pearly whites!

Over the past few years, obesity has increased significantly within the U.S. In fact, recent studies suggest that 67% of adults in this country are overweight or obese, and more than 34 percent are severely obese. Most of us know that obesity contributes to a wide range of serious health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, arthritis, gout, high cholesterol, and a variety of other maladies. Now, according to recent research conducted on the topic, you can add another health concern linked to obesity: gum disease.

Studies conducted in the past have shown a link between gum disease and several risk factors, including poor oral hygiene, smoking or chewing tobacco, eating (or drinking) too much sugar, and diabetes, to name just a few. Now, new research has found that overweight people experience twice the incidence of gum disease as people of a normal weight, and people who are severely obese are three times more likely to have periodontal disease than people within a healthy weight range.

Although more research remains to be done on this topic, studies have shown that the hormones and chemical signals produced by fat cells increase inflammation in a person’s body. That inflammation compromises the individual’s immune system, and that makes them more susceptible to developing periodontal disease. Once gum disease forms in an obese person, it may progress at an increased pace due to a decrease in blood flow to the gums caused by inflammation.

There are several symptoms of gum disease, including the following:

• Bleeding gums
• Swollen and/or sore gums
• Persistent bad breath
• Receding gums
• Changes in a person’s bite
• Changes in how dentures or other dental appliances are fitting inside the mouth
• Loose teeth

If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s important to contact your dentist right away. Fortunately, gum disease is entirely treatable if it’s caught in the early stages. Treatment options depend on how far the condition has progressed, and the earlier it’s diagnosed, the easier those treatment options are.

If you are obese or overweight, it’s important that you take healthy steps to lose the excess weight. If you need help, speak to your doctor or a medical professional to find out the best ways to lose weight in the healthiest way possible. It’s not a coincidence that foods most often recommended to help you lose weight are also foods that contribute to good oral health: foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables, lean protein, low-fat dairy products, and avoidance of sugar and high fat foods as much as possible. Take steps today to lose weight and improve your overall health, and prevent gum disease at the same time.