LilSugar

Mouthwash Before You Brush?

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

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

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

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

Too Much of Good Thing: Test Your Fluoride Knowledge!

Rebecca M Gruber — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 06:00:34 PST

Maybe there can be too much of a good thing! Fluoride, which is added to toothpastes and city water supplies to reduce cavities and tooth decay, is now considered the culprit in a tooth-spotting epidemic that has hit pre-teens and teenagers. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, kids are suffering from fluorosis, a condition that is the result of over-fluoridated water, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is now recommending that local municipalities reduce the amount of fluoride placed into their water supplies. We love seeing our lil ones' pearly whites. Take this quiz to see how much you know about tots and fluoride.

Take the Quiz

Brush Better: Tips For Better Dental Care

Michele Bell — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 04:30:45 PDT

Brush, swish, spit. If that's your dental routine, you may want to revise it. While a little brush is better than no brush at all, there are a few simple tactics that one can employ for a whiter and brighter smile. Do your pearly whites a favor and heed some of this advice from Dr. Jonathan Levine. Your smile will thank you.

Brush your teeth right when you wake up. Plaque and bacteria accumulate overnight, which is why it's important to floss and brush right away.
Avoid brushing your teeth for at least 30 minutes after eating or drinking acidic foods and beverages. If you brush too soon after consuming acidic foods or drinks, you can harm the tooth enamel.
Brush at least twice a day, if not more.
If you only have time to floss or use mouthwash, choose flossing.
Only use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste.
Change your toothbrush every three months.
Use a mouthwash to reduce plaque buildup.
If you have the funds to purchase one, buy an ultrasonic toothbrush.

Do you have any tips to share on dental care?

The Fountain of Youth Is in Your Gums

FitSugar — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 03:00:12 PDT

I dread my six-month dental checkup because I know what they're going to say - "You're not flossing, are you?" I know brushing alone doesn't help clean between your teeth, and really I have no excuse except that I just don't do it.

Here's some news that'll have us all reaching for the floss. When you don't floss regularly, food gets stuck between your teeth, which turns into sticky plaque and bacteria. When this builds up, it can lead to gingivitis, which is the first stage of gum disease. You know you have it if your gums are inflamed, are tender, or bleed. Your gums will also recede, which means they pull away from your teeth and expose them, which causes damage to your precious chompers. If this progresses and you develop gum disease, your teeth will die, which eventually causes the bones under your teeth to dissolve away. What you're left with is changes in your facial appearance including gaps between your teeth, sunken cheeks, caving in of the lips, and wrinkles along the mouth and cheeks - all of which can make you appear older than you are.

Instead of expensive and uncomfortable procedures to keep wrinkles away, your best bet is to grab youth by the horns and make time to floss at least once a day. After all this I'd like to know if you already floss regularly? If you don't, does this info make you want to start?

TrendyKid Wash and Brush Timer Keeps Teeth Squeaky Clean

babysugar — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 13:30:00 PDT

When dental health becomes a battlefield, it is time to try a new tactic. Lights and colors have always attracted tots and the TrendyKid Wash and Brush Timer ($7.50) uses both to keep kids at the sink until their hygiene tasks are complete. With a simple press of the button, mom (or tyke) chooses the cleaning to be completed and a green light begins to flash, setting off a two-minute timer for tooth brushing and a 20 second timer for hand washing. Once the timer is through, the light turns red and lil ones know they are good to go. Keeping clean has never been so much fun! Would the TrendyKid Wash and Brush Timer work for you?

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

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

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

How many times a day do you brush?

Has the Tooth Fairy Increased Her Gifts in Your Home?

babysugar — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 04:00:05 PST

Is the tooth fairy recession proof? A while back LilSugar readers told us about the wide range of monetary gifts the tooth fairy left their children. At the time, the mamas reported a $1 – $20 range depending on which tooth it was and how much they had in their wallets at the time.

It would stand to reason that when the economy slides, parents are less apt to shell out big bucks for a simple lost tooth, but according to a Minnesota-based dental insurance company that might not be the case. In the 2010 Tooth Fairy Poll, Delta Dental found that the national average jumped 13 percent in the past year to $2.13 per tooth. Though the index usually tracks alongside the Dow Jones Industrial Average, last year, the DJIA grew 23 percent, significantly more than the tooth one.

Have your dental gifts grown over the past year?

Did You Brush Your Baby's Gums?

LilSugar — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 04:00:21 PST

Dental care begins well before baby's chompers make their debut. Pediatric dentists recommend that parents get in the habit of cleaning their little one's toothless grins once a day. One simple swipe of baby's gums with a wet washcloth is all it takes to get pre-teethers ready for good dental hygiene, but many parents skip it until the pearly whites are visible. Did you brush your baby's gums?

Test Your Baby Teeth Knowledge!

LilSugar — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 12:00:41 PST

Children of all ages love to show off their pearly whites – whether it's grinning from ear-to-ear or opening wide for a rebel yell. We've tested your teething knowledge, but how much do you actually know about the actual teeth once they are all in? Take this quiz to see if you're in the know about your lil one's teeth.

Take the Quiz

When Did Your Lil One Lose Her First Tooth?

LilSugar — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 06:00:46 PDT

The tune "All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth" may have a special meaning for Shiloh Jolie-Pitt this holiday season. When the 3-year-old beauty was spotted visiting a toy store in France, she was sporting a rather authentic-looking pirate costume - including a missing front tooth.

The tooth fairy doesn't tend to start visiting lil ones until they reach the ripe old age of 6, though some get a visit up to two years earlier. According to doctors, teeth tend to fall out in the same order in which they appear, with the front two bottom teeth falling out first, followed by the top two. When a wee one loses a tooth before its usual time - either due to an accident or tooth decay - they don't usually rush off to the dentist in search of a veneer or bridge like their parents do. Instead they must wait until the permanent tooth grows in, often a few years later.

Brad and Angie's little blondie will likely be flashing her gap-toothed smile for a few years now. When did your youngster lose her first tooth?