If you’re like most people, you probably brush your teeth twice and day and floss once. That’s a typical at-home oral hygiene routine for most of us. But if you’re doing that and still experiencing oral health issues, or if you just want to ensure that you’re doing everything you can to have healthy teeth and gums, there are other steps you can take as well. If you have relatively good oral health to begin with, and don’t suffer from any major problems – such as oral cancer or gum disease, for example – what follows is the best oral hygiene routine that you can practice each day at home:

• Brush twice a day, and make sure one of those times is after your last meal or snack and before you go to bed. This will get rid of food particles that would be more likely to feed bacteria if left in your mouth overnight.
• Be sure to brush properly. Move your toothbrush in gentle, circular motions across the surface of each tooth. Take your time, and don’t brush too hard since that can damage tooth enamel. Remember to brush your tongue as well, since bacteria can accumulate there.
• Use the right toothpaste. This can vary depending on your specific oral health concerns. Make sure the product you choose is ADA approved. If you’re concerned about tooth decay, choose a fluoride toothpaste. If you have sensitive teeth, use a product designed to reduce sensitivity. The selection of available products is huge, so ask your dentist for a recommendation if you’re not sure which is right for you.
• Floss at least once every day. If you do it only once, make sure it’s after you brush your teeth at night. Flossing twice a day – after each time you brush – is even better. Hold the floss firmly and move it in a “C” shape between each tooth.
• Use a water flosser. To really increase the effectiveness of flossing, add a water flosser to your routine. These instruments take a little practice, but after a week or so of using it every day, you’ll be a pro. Just follow the instructions, and use it every night – after you’ve already brushed and flossed.
• Rinse with an anti-microbial mouthwash. The final step in the best oral hygiene routine should include rinsing for 30 seconds with an anti-microbial mouthwash. This will help to eliminate bacteria that can accumulate and lead to tooth decay and gum disease. As is true with toothpaste, there are many brands available. Look for the ADA label of approval. And if you still can’t decide, ask your dentist for a recommendation.

By following this daily routine at home, and by visiting your dentist twice a year for routine exams and cleanings, you can be certain that you’re doing everything within your power to enjoy good oral health for a lifetime!

When most of us see other people smile, we think that it’s an indication that they’re happy. Although that’s probably an accurate assumption, the reverse is true as well: when you smile, you feel happier! In fact, several studies conducted over the past few years have shown that smiling more can improve your overall mood and outlook on life. This isn’t just a psychological phenomenon; it’s based on the physiology of smiling. Researchers have found that when you use the muscles necessary to smile, it causes your brain to release endorphins that create feelings of happiness and euphoria. So if you smile – even if you don’t want to or don’t feel like you’re in the mood for smiling – you’ll actually feel happier.

• Here are a few other interesting facts about smiles that have been identified in recent studies:
• Smiles are instinctual. Babies are capable of smiling as soon as they’re born!
• When you smile, you use between 5 and 53 muscles in your face.
• You know the old saying about smiling being contagious? As it turns out, that’s true! When other people see you smile, they will start to smile too – sometimes without even realizing they’re doing it.
• Smiling not only elevates your mood; it boosts your immune system as well.
• Research suggests that people who smile a lot live longer.
• Studies conducted at the University of California-San Francisco identified 19 different types of smiles.

Unfortunately, just because we know smiling is beneficial doesn’t mean we’ll do it any more often. This is especially true if you are embarrassed by your smile, which is why it’s so important to talk to your dentist about ways to improve it. There are a number of ways that modern dentistry can give you a more attractive smile:

• Teeth whitening – One of the fastest and least expensive ways to brighten your smile is with professional teeth whitening services.
• Braces – Whether you choose traditional metal braces or new invisible plastic aligner trays, getting a straighter smile has never been easier.
• Porcelain veneers – An extremely thin layer of porcelain applied directly over the surface of your natural teeth can give you a movie star smile in no time!
• Dental bonding – This procedure is often a great way to correct minor dental issues and give you a beautiful smile at the same time.

Never underestimate the power of a smile. And if you’re embarrassed about yours, don’t hesitate to speak to your dentist. Having a more attractive smile may be much easier than you think!

If you’re “of a certain age,” then chances are you have older fillings and crowns. While it’s true that nothing lasts forever – including dental restorations – there are some steps you can take to protect your older fillings and crowns for as long as possible. Here are a few tips to do just that:

• Be careful what you eat. Avoid foods that could damage your dental work. This includes chewing anything too hard, like ice and hard candy, for example. But there are other foods that also pose a threat, although maybe not such an obvious one. These include popcorn kernels, nuts, and even some brands of granola cereal and trail mix. Stay away from anything too chewy as well, since candy and other forms of sticky or chewy food can damage older restorations.
• Wear a mouth guard. This is especially important if you are active in sports or engage in any type of physical activity that might result in injury to your mouth. Even bicycling might put you at higher risk of damaging your teeth (and your older restorations), so it’s a good idea to utilize a mouth guard just in case. These appliances are also helpful if you grind your teeth at night, which can wear down teeth and put extra stress on your fillings and crowns. Mouth guards come in two varieties, generally speaking: a one-size-fits-all generic type, and custom-made appliances created by your dentist.
• Keep up with your daily oral hygiene routine. The last thing you need is decay forming around or under existing dental work. So it’s important to keep your teeth and gums as healthy as possible.

At home, that means brushing at least twice a day and flossing at least once a day. You might also consider using an anti-bacterial mouthwash to remove bacteria that can lead to gum disease, and if you really want to give your dental work and your gums an added measure of protection, invest in a water flossing device and use it nightly. Of course, no at-home routine can ensure good oral health without regular visits to your dentist twice a year for professional cleanings and oral exams.

Eventually, chances are that you will need to have your older fillings and crowns replaced. But the good news is that by following these few simple tips, you might be able to delay that process for a while longer. Talk to your dentist about the condition of your existing dental restorations to find out more.

Teeth are strong, there’s no doubt about it. But even healthy teeth are not indestructible. In fact, what may seem to be harmless actions or habits can lead to a cracked tooth, and a cracked tooth will ultimately need to be repaired by your dentist in one form or another. So it just makes sense to avoid getting a cracked tooth in the first place if possible. Here are a few ways you can stop your teeth from cracking.

• Wear a mouth guard. If you play sports, or if you engage in any type of activity that could lead to a fall – bicycling, for example – it’s smart to wear a mouth guard to protect your teeth from injury. There are several types available, from a one-size-fits-all version to one that’s custom-made by your dentist.
• Avoid chewing anything that might damage your teeth. The most obvious culprits are ice and hard candy. But you should exercise caution when chewing anything hard, including popcorn kernels, nuts and chewy or crunchy candy, for example.
• Try to chew on both sides of your mouth. Just as a certain tool is more prone to damage if you use it all the time, those teeth that are used more than others will be more prone to cracking.
• Stop grinding your teeth. This habit can weaken your teeth, making them more likely to crack. If you grind your teeth when you’re awake, it may be simply a matter of becoming aware of the habit and quitting it. But if you grind your teeth at night (also referred to as bruxism), you may need help to stop. Talk to your dentist about night guards and other alternatives that will prevent you from doing any damage as a result of grinding your teeth.
• Visit your dentist on a regular basis. If you leave dental problems untreated, they will weaken your teeth, and that will make it more likely that your teeth will crack.

One of the best ways to avoid cracked teeth is to pay attention to your oral health. This may sound obvious, but it becomes increasingly important as we age. Just like bones, teeth become more brittle as people age. So it’s important to take good care of your teeth and gums by practicing a daily oral hygiene routine at home, visiting your dentist on a regular basis for exams and professional cleanings, and enjoying a diet that includes fresh produce, calcium-rich foods, and lean protein. By doing all that, in addition to following the tips listed above, you can avoid cracked teeth and the dental work that goes along with them.

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.