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Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
I Asked Dentists How to Brush Better—Here Are the 4 Tips That Changed My Routine
For a ritual we've all been doing for about as long as we can remember, most adults aren't brushing their teeth completely right. Even though the routine seems mostly intuitive at this point, there are different techniques for brushing your teeth that will help you maximize the health benefits. Brushing your teeth isn't just to make your teeth whiter and your breath better—it is an active part of maintaining your oral health and overall health. When you brush your teeth the right way, you're not only helping stop tooth decay and gum disease, but you're also promoting healthy blood circulation and even fighting heart diseases linked to poor oral hygiene. We asked the experts for some tips on brushing your teeth the right way and got great advice for adopting a new-and-improved Our Expert Dr. Mirissa Price, consumer advisor spokesperson for the American Dental Association Dr. Houston Symmes, dentist at Peace Haven Family DentistryDon't Rinse Immediately After Brushing Though it may feel like muscle memory to immediately spit out your toothpaste and rinse your mouth with water after brushing, it's actually better to let the paste sit on your teeth for a few minutes. "Because fluoride strengthens tooth enamel, leaving it on the teeth for at least 15 minutes after brushing can help make the enamel more resistant to cavity-inducing acids," says Dr. Price. "Not rinsing immediately can help the fluoride be even more effective." Use Toothpaste With Fluoride Though there are plenty of options for fluoride-free toothpaste, both of our experts recommend using a toothpaste with fluoride. "It is important to use a toothpaste with fluoride, which is any toothpaste with the ADA Seal," Dr. Price says. "Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel." Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral found in sources of water and food that the ADA calls "nature's cavity fighter." According to the ADA, fluoride helps "rebuild weakened tooth enamel and reverses early signs of tooth decay." When you brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste, the fluoride is applied to the surface of your teeth, which provides a "topical benefit." Wait to Brush After Eating Acidic Foods Just finished up an early morning glass of orange juice or a late-night sour candy snack? It's best to hold off on brushing your teeth for a bit. "Acids soften the tooth surface," Dr. Symmes says. "Enamel can weaken if you brush it after consuming acidic beverages and meals." "Waiting for 30 minutes allows saliva to wash away the acids and the enamel to harden or re-mineralize," says Dr. Symmes. In the meantime, he recommends swishing water around your mouth to help neutralize the acids. Related: Ask a Beauty Editor: Should You Brush Your Teeth Before or After Breakfast? Brush at a 45-Degree Angle If you're brushing your teeth straight-on, you might want to switch up your angle, according to our experts. "When brushing, the toothbrush should be placed at a 45-degree angle to the gums and gently moved back and forth in short, tooth-wide, strokes," says Dr. Price. "This motion helps to clean the space where the tooth meets the gums, which is important because that is one of the areas where bacteria and debris tend to stick." Dr. Symmes notes that this angle "effectively eliminates plaque but is easier on your teeth and gums." Read the original article on Real Simple
CNET
6 days ago
- CNET
This $50 Electric Toothbrush Replaced My Stolen $200 One Without a Hitch
CNET's key takeaways The $50 Oral-B Pro 1000 Electric Toothbrush works just as well as my previous $200 toothbrush. The Pro 1000 has three modes, a 2-minute brushing timer and a pressure sensor. Though it doesn't come with an app or more smart features, I enjoy its simplicity. The last time I visited a friend in San Francisco, a thief broke into their car and stole my luggage. Inside it, I had my precious $200 electric toothbrush, which I'd reviewed at a previous job and didn't have to pay for. I had to quickly find a replacement, and on my own, $200 was not in the budget. I ended up buying the Oral-B Pro 1000 Electric Toothbrush, which is just $50, and I've been using and loving it ever since. As part of CNET's best electric toothbrush of 2025 testing, the Oral-B Pro 100 earned both editor's choice and "best overall" awards. After several years of testing this toothbrush on my own, I can see why. Even though it's a quarter of the price of my old toothbrush, I don't miss the pricey one at all. My experience with the Oral-B Pro 100 While the expensive toothbrush came with an app, more settings, a glass cup that charged the toothbrush and a travel case, I actually prefer the Oral-B Pro 1000's simplicity. It's easier to use and doesn't take up as much space. It has one daily cleaning mode, along with sensitive and whitening modes. There is also a 2-minute timer that reminds you to move to different mouth quadrants every 30 seconds. The Oral-B Pro 1000 has everything I could possibly want from an electric toothbrush: a brushing timer, pressure sensor, affordable brush head replacements ($14 for a pack of three) and a compact, travel-friendly charger. The battery life is an impressive 10 days, and the toothbrush will even alert you when its battery is low. Best of all, it has the American Dental Association's Seal of Acceptance, meaning it has fulfilled the ADA's safety and efficacy requirements. Anna Gragert/CNET Though the Oral-B Pro 1000 doesn't come with a travel case like my old toothbrush, I can still toss it in my suitcase or backpack with a toothbrush head cover, which you can typically find for under $5 and reuse. I just give mine a good cleaning with dish soap and water in between my travels. The specs Modes: 3 (daily clean, whitening and sensitive) 3 (daily clean, whitening and sensitive) Features: 2-minute brushing timer, pressure sensor 2-minute brushing timer, pressure sensor Battery life: 10 days 10 days Certifications: ADA seal of acceptance ADA seal of acceptance Brush head replacements: $14 for a three-pack $14 for a three-pack Dimensions: 4.37x2.17x9.96 inches 4.37x2.17x9.96 inches Weight: 9.28 ounces CNET's buying advice
IOL News
18-07-2025
- Health
- IOL News
Cavities can spread: why kissing and sharing utensils is riskier than you think
But did you know that tooth decay can actually be contagious? Image: Instagram When we think about cavities, most of us imagine sugary drinks, skipped brushing sessions, or that stubborn sweet tooth. But did you know that tooth decay can actually be contagious? Yes, the bacteria behind cavities can spread between people even through something as ordinary (and affectionate) as a kiss. It sounds surprising, even a little unsettling, but experts say it's a real and common health issue. Let's unpack what this means for everyday life, why it happens, and what you can do to protect your smile and your loved ones' smiles, too. Tooth decay: it all starts with bacteria Cavities, also called dental caries, happen when certain bacteria in our mouths break down sugars and produce acid. Over time, this acid eats away at tooth enamel, creating holes. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus bacteria are the main culprits responsible for tooth decay. These bacteria live in dental plaque, thrive in sugary environments, and are the leading culprits in tooth decay. How do cavities become 'contagious'? While you can't catch a literal cavity from someone, you can catch the bacteria that cause it. The "Journal of Dental Research" explains: 'Tooth decay is an infectious disease, and the bacteria can spread through saliva.' That means everyday actions, such as kissing, sharing a fork or spoon, tasting each other's drinks, or even blowing on your baby's food, can all pass these bacteria from one mouth to another. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste Image: Pixabay This bacterial transfer is most common in families. Research from the Journal of Dental Research shows parents (especially mothers) often pass these cavity-causing bacteria to their children during infancy and toddler years, a process known as 'vertical transmission.' Will you get sick if you 'catch' these bacteria? Not necessarily, and this is where it gets interesting. Even if someone transfers Streptococcus mutans to you, whether you get cavities depends on other factors: Your oral hygiene habits (do you brush and floss regularly?) Your diet (do you snack on sweets and acidic drinks often ?) Genetics (some people naturally have softer enamel) Saliva flow (dry mouth makes cavities more likely) In other words, bacteria start the process, but lifestyle, diet, and daily habits decide the outcome. Why poor hygiene makes things worse If you don't brush twice a day and floss, plaque builds up on your teeth. This sticky film is the perfect home for bacteria to multiply. Once there's a higher concentration of bacteria in your mouth, you're not only at greater risk of tooth decay yourself, but also more likely to pass those bacteria on to others, your partner, kids, or even friends when sharing food. That's why dentists and health experts stress the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene to protect not just yourself, but the people around you. Every day, moments can unknowingly spread cavity-causing bacteria. What are the signs you might have cavities? At first, cavities might not hurt or show obvious signs. But early clues can include: Brown or black spots on teeth Small visible holes or 'pits' Sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods Pain when biting down Dentists recommend regular check-ups so cavities can be caught before they get painful. Why it matters: Cavities are more than cosmetic Untreated cavities don't just mean fillings or cosmetic concerns. They can lead to serious infections if decay reaches the tooth pulp, sometimes requiring root canals or even tooth removal. According to the World Health Organisation, the bacteria can also enter the bloodstream, which is a bigger health concern, especially for people with compromised immune systems. How to protect yourself and others Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste. Floss every day. Limit sugary snacks and drinks. Avoid sharing utensils or cleaning a baby's dummy with your mouth. Stay hydrated, saliva helps wash away acids. Visit your dentist regularly.
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Arkansas one of several states weighing fluoride ban
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont this week signed legislation requiring the state to keep fluoride at existing levels. But Florida and Utah have banned adding fluoride to drinking water, and other states may follow, as the decades-old practice of adding it to public drinking is facing renewed attacks, including from the federal government. Arkansas state Sen. Bryan King, a cattle and poultry farmer in Fayetteville, told CBS News he has "concerns" about adding fluoride to water. Since 2011, when the state mandated most public drinking water to include fluoride, King has thrown his anti-fluoride voice behind a handful of bills seeking to repeal that mandate. Fluoride is a natural mineral. It strengthens teeth and fights dental decay. It's been added to the U.S.'s public drinking supply since the 1940s. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention rated fluoride as one of the top ten public health achievements of the 20th century. And according to the American Dental Association, "70 years of research, thousands of studies and the experience of more than 210 million Americans tell us that water fluoridation is effective in preventing cavities and is safe for children and adults." "If that's the case, they need to individually go out to each water district and sell it to the people there, and let them make their own water decisions," King said. At least 19 states have considered legislation to remove, ban or make fluoride optional in public drinking water this year. One of fluoride's most prominent critics is Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. In the latest skirmish over science, fluoride opponents argue that at high levels, it can lead to kidney and liver damage and lower IQs in children. The National Institutes of Health's toxicology program in 2024 determined "with moderate confidence" that there is a link between high levels of fluoride exposure and lower IQs in children. That conclusion was based on studies involving fluoride levels of about twice the recommended limit for drinking water. The American Academy of Pediatrics has questioned the validity of the NIH's report, noting it had "important limitations," including the high fluoride levels, and that other reviews have come to different conclusions about fluoride's risks and benefits. The EPA in 2011 lowered the recommended limit for fluoride in water to cut down on fluorosis — when spots appear on kids' teeth — and in the wake of a 2006 report from the National Academy of Sciences that found a lifetime of overconsumption of fluoride can lead to weakened, brittle bones and teeth. At Arkansas' Fort Smith water system, Lance McAvoy, who oversees the system, told CBS News it's monitored 24/7. "We actually take samples every 15 minutes to verify the online equipment," McAvoy said, adding there had never been an instance of significantly higher fluoride levels to date. Dentists such as Kenton Ross, who also serves as president of Arkansas' dental association, say the science supporting fluoride is indisputable. "You're gonna see a 25% reduction in tooth decay," Ross said of adding fluoride to drinking water. "We have over 75 years of research over community fluoridation." For dentists, losing fluoride could mean losing the battle against tooth decay. "It's gonna affect the children the worst because if they don't get it, we can't put it in later in life," Ross said. Trump pushes senators to make $9.4 trillion in spending cuts Child rescued after getting stuck in claw machine Fight over fluoride in water continues, despite warnings from dentists
CBS News
16-07-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Arkansas one of several states weighing fluoride ban
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont this week signed legislation requiring the state to keep fluoride at existing levels. But Florida and Utah have banned adding fluoride to drinking water, and other states may follow, as the decades-old practice of adding it to public drinking is facing renewed attacks, including from the federal government. Arkansas state Sen. Bryan King, a cattle and poultry farmer in Fayetteville, told CBS News he has "concerns" about adding fluoride to water. Since 2011, when the state mandated most public drinking water to include fluoride, King has thrown his anti-fluoride voice behind a handful of bills seeking to repeal that mandate. Fluoride is a natural mineral. It strengthens teeth and fights dental decay. It's been added to the U.S.'s public drinking supply since the 1940s. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention rated fluoride as one of the top ten public health achievements of the 20th century. And according to the American Dental Association, "70 years of research, thousands of studies and the experience of more than 210 million Americans tell us that water fluoridation is effective in preventing cavities and is safe for children and adults." "If that's the case, they need to individually go out to each water district and sell it to the people there, and let them make their own water decisions," King said. At least 19 states have considered legislation to remove, ban or make fluoride optional in public drinking water this year. One of fluoride's most prominent critics is Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. In the latest skirmish over science, fluoride opponents argue that at high levels, it can lead to kidney and liver damage and lower IQs in children. The National Institutes of Health's toxicology program in 2024 determined "with moderate confidence" that there is a link between high levels of fluoride exposure and lower IQs in children. That conclusion was based on studies involving fluoride levels of about twice the recommended limit for drinking water. The American Academy of Pediatrics has questioned the validity of the NIH's report, noting it had "important limitations," including the high fluoride levels, and that other reviews have come to different conclusions about fluoride's risks and benefits. The EPA in 2011 lowered the recommended limit for fluoride in water to cut down on fluorosis — when spots appear on kids' teeth — and in the wake of a 2006 report from the National Academy of Sciences that found a lifetime of overconsumption of fluoride can lead to weakened, brittle bones and teeth. At Arkansas' Fort Smith water system, Lance McAvoy, who oversees the system, told CBS News it's monitored 24/7. "We actually take samples every 15 minutes to verify the online equipment," McAvoy said, adding there had never been an instance of significantly higher fluoride levels to date. Dentists such as Kenton Ross, who also serves as president of Arkansas' dental association, say the science supporting fluoride is indisputable. "You're gonna see a 25% reduction in tooth decay," Ross said of adding fluoride to drinking water. "We have over 75 years of research over community fluoridation." For dentists, losing fluoride could mean losing the battle against tooth decay. "It's gonna affect the children the worst because if they don't get it, we can't put it in later in life," Ross Tin and Sara Moniuszko contributed to this report.
