A balanced, nutritious diet is essential to healthy living and a healthy smile. Yet only 7.5% of Wisconsinites eat the daily recommended vegetable allowance, and less than 13% eat the recommended fruit allowance.
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Popsicles are a favorite ice-cold summer delight. Unfortunately, most pops are loaded with added sugar and artificial dyes which can be harsh on your teeth. Give this family favorite a makeover with these homemade healthy popsicle recipes:
*Updated February 2023
The teeth whitening trend has turned black, thanks to activated charcoal. Between brushes and pastes, brands are have marketed charcoal as a miracle mouth product. But does the black powder actually make a difference when it comes to oral health? Take a look at the science behind the trend.
Activated charcoal is very different from the kind you throw on the grill. Charcoal becomes “activated” when it is treated with oxygen at extremely high temperatures. This causes the charcoal to become larger and more porous.
Activated charcoal has many uses including emergency poison treatment, increasing kidney function, and reducing cholesterol levels. In addition to medical uses, activated charcoal can also be found in a variety of cosmetics, including toothpaste.
The effectiveness of activated charcoal as a teeth whitening tool is just beginning to be studied. Therefore, there is not a lot of evidence that suggests the product is scientifically proven to whiten teeth.
A new study from PubMed found that activated charcoal is less effective at whitening teeth when compared to alternatives. It is also suggested that it may be less safe due to its abrasive nature.
Another study concluded that activated charcoal toothpaste was no more effective at whitening than the average fluoride toothpaste after 12 weeks of use. Interestingly, the teeth became rougher after using the activated charcoal toothpaste.
If you are considering adding activated charcoal products to your oral health routine, it is a good idea to reach out to your dentist. They may have more effective and safer alternatives that may be a better choice for you.
If you’re using activated charcoal toothpaste for whitening, you might wonder if the product is safe for your teeth. Unfortunately, the abrasiveness and general lack of fluoride in the product can do more harm than good when it comes to your teeth. In addition to causing damage to your tooth’s enamel, abrasive products can lead to other oral health problems such as gum recession and a higher risk of tooth decay.
Despite the exaggerated claims of many oral health products, activated charcoal may do more harm than good when it comes to whitening your teeth. Therefore, many dental health professionals do not recommend it as a solution to their patients.
For more information about tooth whitening, check out this blog.
The universe of dental knowledge and science is always expanding – and that’s a good thing. Today’s dental programs focus on innovation, providing opportunities for future dentists, dental hygienists, and dental laboratory technicians to advance the field and provide the best care to patients.
Now that we’re approaching the middle of the year, it’s time to evaluate how your dental benefits (or, lack of coverage) is treating you. Here are three things to consider before open enrollment:
Dental benefits can be complex – monthly premiums, annual maximums, deductibles, and more leave you with a lot to consider. But one thing’s for sure – oral health is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. And you are more than twice as likely to visit the dentist regularly when you have dental benefits.
There is more to brushing your teeth than keeping those pearly whites clean and healthy—you can also help prevent and control diabetes.
Nutritious food choices help lay the foundation for good oral health. But if you have young kids, you know that every night can turn into fits about food. Fruit can be friendly (thanks, natural sugars), but broccoli and green beans tempt tantrums. Try flipping their favorite foods with veggies into the form of chips, pizza—even french fries!
Studies show up to 50% of adults habitually bite their nails. Nail nibbling is one of many body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs), but also include cheek chewing and cuticle picking. Learn more about your BFRB, and how to break the habit.
Anyone who has ever had a dental problem knows how distracting it can be, making even the basics like eating and talking uncomfortable. Employed adults lose 164 million hours of work each year due to their own oral health problems or dental visits, according to a report by Qualis Health. They’re at an even greater risk of missing work due to their children’s poor oral health. Continue reading