The Bad Breath Blog

In the following video, Dr. Katz offers his thoughts on about the safety of teeth whitening. He also offers tips for those who want to whiten teeth at home.

You may also want to read about the secrets of teeth whitening that most dentists don’t want you to know.

If you’re thinking about whitening teeth yourself, we recommend using any one of TheraBreath’s teeth whitening kits.

Probiotics have taken an even greater plunge into the mainstream. The mint form of these probiotics are now stocked in over 7,000 stores throughout the US. Allegedly, this probiotic mint is supposed to help encourage good health for the teeth and gums. It is said that this oral probiotic supposedly has teeth whitening qualities, as well as the ability to banish bad breath. Streptococcus mutans is the main bacteria that causes tooth decay, and this bacteria transforms sugars in the mouth (from snacks, meals, etc.) into acids, which in turn attack the enamel of the teeth and possibly cause lesions or caries. This probiotic targets this bacteria and helps prevent the damage it can cause.

Obviously, more research has to be done on these new probiotics before further developments and assumptions can be made.  We are finally seeing the probiotic market expanding throughout the US, after being stuck in a smaller niche for so long. Other companies are doing research in hopes to formulate a type of probiotic that fights against dental caries. Some of these new formulas will likely have the probiotic Lactobillus paracasei, which binds to the bacteria that causes caries and groups them together.

Also, Aktiv-K12 is an excellent probiotic that helps prevent and treat bad breath, so check it out!

Here are some pointers that will help keep your teeth whiter and minimize the occurence of bad breath:

1) Avoid bubbly soda pop and other acidic beverages. Drinks, like sports beverages, have enamel-stripping acids, like phosphoric, citric, malic, and tartaric acids. If you find that you need to drink them, rinse your mouth out with water afterwards.

2) Drink tea instead of orange juice. Unfortunately, even though there are tons of benefits from orange juice, the acids also help strip away the enamel, the protector of your teeth. You can try to drink black or green tea instead, because not only do they not harm the enamel, but they also contain fluoride.

3) Eat more greens, along with other vegetables and fruits. This prevents staining of your teeth. Apples, carrots, and celery help remove stains, whereas spinach, lettuce, and broccoli can act as stain barriers.

4) Eat some yogurt! Yogurt, which is full of probiotics, seems to help in the prevention of gum disease and tooth loss. If you have a couple of ounces each day, your oral health will benefit. The probiotics, also known as “good” bacteria, help balance the flora in your mouth, as well as your gut.

5) Use straws. If you use a straw, you mimimize the contact that certain beverages (ie. cola, iced tea, etc.) have with your teeth. If you put the tip of the straw by the back of your mouth, there is less contact between the teeth and the acids.

So, who are the celebrities known for having the best teeth?  If you’ve heard the news lately, Julia Roberts and Brad Pitt have topped the polls on “best looking teeth“.  Julia Roberts has been famous for her white teeth for years now.  Her smile is one of the most memorable in Hollywood, and after topping a recent survey for the best teeth among the stars, she still is ranked the star with the best smile according to most cosmetic dentists.  This makes up for the fact that she reportedly had bad breath from drinking too much coffee on movie sets.  Brad Pitt himself ranked #1 for best male celebrity smile in 2008, whereas David Beckham ranked second on that same list that year.

Who else has a great smile in Hollywood?  Halle Berry was voted the #1 female celebrity who had the best smile in 2006, according to the AACD.  Also, in 2006, surveys said that Mathew McConaughey had the best male celebrity smile.  Mathew had also stated that he had somewhat of an obsession with his teeth!  AACD chose Eva Mendes as the celebrity with the “most glamorous smile” in 2006-2007.  Will Smith and Anne Hathaway are generally near the top of the best smile lists.  Hilary Duff was voted by 40% of survey respondents for having the best smile among the teen stars.  Last but not least, the controversial Tiger Woods has been known to dominate the vote for the greatest smile among male athletes.
Source: California Dentist

Aside from brushing and flossing, there are other things that your dentist could you tell so you can better care for your teeth.  There are secrets that dentists know that their patients do not.  These usually include the following:

1)  Your dentist can tell if you smoke.  Even if someone brushes their teeth or tries to cover it up with mints, gum, or mouthwash, the smell is actually embedded in the mouth, especially the gum tissue!

• Smokers are also 4X more likely to get periodontal disease than those who do not smoke.

2)  The oral bacteria that causes cavities can spread on food and cutlery.  For instance, mothers will share their utensils and food with their kids, but bad bacteria can be spread this way.  This also goes to say that one should take special care when kissing (especially their little ones) if he or she has gum disease or cavities, since these bacteria are contagious.

3)  When most people brush, they only clean less than 1/4 of their mouths!  Most people brush for 30 seconds or less, and good oral hygiene requires at least five minutes of brushing and flossing each day.  One should brush at least 2-3 minutes at a time, and floss for 1-2 minutes each time.  When people brush only 30 seconds, they are missing their back molars 90% of the time. 

4) Bleaching Teeth Too Much Can Make Them Translucent!  Teeth whitening can thin the enamel, so never bleach your teeth more than once every six months.  If the gel bothers your gums and teeth, try a fluoride rinse or gel before and after using the bleaching gel.  This will make your teeth less sensitive. 

5) Don’t get your mouth deep cleaned when you only need a regular cleaning.  Some dentists want to charge your insurance more, so they will tell you that you need a deep cleaning when you do not.  Those who need a deep cleaning are people who have a lot of tartar on their roots or other symptoms of disease. 

Source: ABC News