Completely You

I floss before I brush, but my husband flosses afterward. Who’s right?

Sun, 19 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST

Surprisingly, it really doesn’t make much of a difference whether you floss before or after brushing. The bottom line is that brushing removes the bacteria on the surface of the teeth, while flossing removes the plaque and bacteria between teeth -- and both are really important. I happen to floss first. I feel that brushing afterward helps remove any particles that might get dislodged while I’m flossing. But as I said, it’s up to you.

It also doesn’t matter which type of floss you use. Unwaxed floss may get teeth cleaner than the waxed kind because it tends to fray, which results in multiple tufts of twine polishing the teeth. But the very fact that it does shred -- and sometimes breaks -- can become an obstacle to flossing entirely, which clearly defeats the purpose. So just use the type of floss that you will use regularly.

In addition, use a toothbrush with soft bristles and always give your mouth a final rinse with clean water after brushing or flossing -- whichever you do last -- to remove any last bits of debris.

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I’m pregnant and my mouth is tender and sore. Should I be worried?

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST

Don’t worry, you likely have pregnancy gingivitis, an inflammation of the gums that affects 50 to 70 percent of pregnant women. The cause is thought to be extra circulating hormones, which lead to fluid retention and therefore puffy gums. Plus, pregnant women have weaker immune systems, so they’re more prone to illness, including gum disease.

But do get to the dentist soon: Researchers have discovered that unchecked gum disease puts women at an increased risk for preterm labor. “It’s a myth that you can’t have dental treatment during pregnancy,” says Dr. Rob Berg, chair of applied dentistry at the University of Colorado in Denver. “In fact, it may be even more important when you’re pregnant to have a healthy mouth.”

Many dental plans -- including Cigna, Delta, United Concordia and Health Net -- cover an extra checkup and cleaning during pregnancy, usually in the second or third trimester. Your dentist will do a thorough cleaning and determine whether you need additional treatment.

My boyfriend says the Valentine’s Day chocolate he got me is actually good for my teeth. Could this be true?

Sun, 5 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST

You’re going to love my answer: Yes!

Chocolate, especially the dark kind, is the only type of candy that romances you with antioxidants called tannins. These antioxidants not only protect your heart, but also safeguard your smile by helping to prevent tooth decay. So if your sweetie bought you a treat for Valentine’s Day, we hope it’s the solid dark kind or even chocolate-dipped fruit. Since these still contain sugar and extra calories, limit yourself to a piece or two and brush afterward.

Try to break it off with other seasonal options: Red Hots, for instance, are sticky and adhere to teeth, and the acid in sour conversation hearts may erode tooth enamel. Brushing right after eating these treats actually makes matters worse because you’re scrubbing the acid onto your teeth. Neutralize it first by drinking water or plain milk, and then brush your teeth a half hour later.

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If I don’t have time to brush, is it OK to use mouthwash instead?

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

No! Despite ditzy Jessica Simpson’s confession that she rarely brushes her teeth -- relying instead on a swish of mouthwash to clean her famous choppers -- this is definitely not a move you should mimic. Your mouth constantly produces bacteria, known as plaque, even while you sleep. The longer plaque stays on your teeth, the greater chance it has to erode enamel and increase your risk of gum disease. (Think of it this way: If you knew you had disease-causing germs on your body, would you wait a few hours to shower?) Mouthwash can remove some plaque, but not the sticky, tenacious kind.

While mouthwash can be a fine addition to your dental arsenal, you also need a soft-bristle toothbrush and toothpaste. Look for a toothpaste formula that contains fluoride -- a mineral that helps strengthen teeth -- and boasts the American Dental Association seal. Your best bet: A paste with peroxide or baking soda, which creates a gentle foaming action that helps lift bacteria from beneath the gumline. And remember, when it comes to brushing, we’re talking two minutes of your time here; just grin and bear it.

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My teen just confessed she hardly ever brushes her teeth. How long does it take for that kind of neglect to translate into a cavity?

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

It takes less than a month for cavities to form! Brushing and flossing are particularly important for teens because hormonal changes can increase gum inflammation and trap plaque on teeth, making them more prone to cavities. If your teen has braces, the food that gets caught can also trigger cavities.

For these reasons, it’s crucial to motivate your teen to brush her teeth regularly. One way that might stick with her is if you suggest that her breath will smell bad if she doesn’t brush. You can also help her by getting products that make brushing painless, like an electric toothbrush with a built-in timer or a mouthwash that turns plaque buildup blue, making it easier to brush off.

But perhaps the most convincing case for brushing well: Teens already have their adult teeth, and those teeth are meant to last them a lifetime.

My 5-year-old hates toothpaste. Should I still make her use it?

Sun, 15 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

Just because a child doesn’t like one type of toothpaste doesn’t mean she’ll refuse them all. Many kids hate the minty taste of traditional adult toothpastes, but they may love a berry or bubblegum flavor.

By age 5 or 6, kids should be able to spit out the foam rather than swallow it. If your daughter hasn’t mastered this skill yet, teaching her how to do so can make brushing more pleasant for both of you.

If your daughter still resists using toothpaste, have her brush with a wet toothbrush and no paste, and then follow up with a fluoride rinse. Many studies prove that topical fluoride helps prevent cavities, so this step is critical if she’s not using toothpaste that contains fluoride.

Even though your daughter probably still has mostly baby teeth, keeping them healthy is essential. If she loses them too early because of excessive decay, her permanent teeth can drift, which increases the odds that she’ll need orthodontia. Instilling good oral hygiene habits early will benefit her for the rest of her life.

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Are honey and agave syrup just as bad for my teeth as regular sugar?

Mon, 9 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

As a dentist, I’m sweet on using honey or agave. You know bees make honey, but agave actually comes from a plant that looks like a cactus. The Egyptians used it to reduce inflammation, and they were on to something: It might help prevent swollen and puffy gums.

But I have an even better reason to switch from a spoonful of sugar to a squirt of honey or agave: These other sweeteners contain more complex carbohydrates, so they break down more slowly and are less likely to cause problems in your mouth. Here’s what happens: After you eat any kind of sugar, molecules start to adhere to your teeth, and cavity-causing bacteria sticks to the sugar molecules. The bacteria use the sugar as food; when they’re done, they create waste called lactic acid, which weakens tooth enamel. It’s some nasty stuff.

If you rinse your mouth or brush your teeth right after eating regular sugar, you can wash away these troublemakers before they cause damage. But who wants to jump up from the table? Since honey and agave take longer to break down, you don’t have to be in as much of a hurry to brush -- though you should do it at your first opportunity. In fact, honey and agave are great sugar substitutes when dissolved into any drink or baked into dessert. Just avoid squirting them directly on things like pancakes, for instance, because the food will make them to stick to your teeth and result in the same problems caused by regular sugar.

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Research shows that drinking water before eating can make a difference.

Mon, 2 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

Yes, my weight loss research at Virginia Tech shows that drinking water before eating can make a difference in how many pounds you drop.

In our study, reported in the journal Obesity, we divided participants aged 55 to 75 into two groups: One group was instructed to drink 2 cups of water 30 minutes before each meal, the other was not. Both groups followed the same meal plan, eating 1,200 to 1,500 calories a day.

While the water group lost, on average, 15.5 pounds over 12 weeks, the non-water group lost 11 pounds -- a notable difference. We also received fewer complaints of hunger from the water group, and they seemed to have an easier time following the diet.

In older adults, food takes longer to leave the stomach, so they’ll feel full longer by drinking water half an hour before mealtime. Younger people may need to drink water 15 minutes or even right before a meal to see the same effects. (This is something we’ll probably explore in future research.)

At the very least, caloric beverages are definitively linked to weight gain. So switching to water is an easy way to reduce the number of total calories you consume.

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