We all have to eat at some point during the day right? Shoot, for some of us lunch couldn’t get here quick enough!?

But, what if you have several meetings or conversations after lunch?  With no breath mints or chewing gum in sight, what do you do?

Ok, ok I know. No need for creating a scenario that leads to you having an embarrassing bad breath moment!  So here’s what you do. Grab a pack of these Colgate Wisps and keep a few in the car, at your desk, and anywhere else you think you may need them.

What are they? They are miniature single-use toothbrushes.

They are much better for you since they have the capability of not only freshening your breath, but also cleaning your teeth. Dentists say: “Cleaning teeth right away reduces the chance of staining since the color residue from foods, wine and drinks are removed.“

So grab a pack, because no one ever wants to know what a Philly Cheese steak smells like after the fact!

That’s right! With the addition of a mouthwash to your brushing and flossing regimen, bad breath decreases while tooth-decay prevention increases, especially if you choose the right mouthwash for the job!

Ingredients to look for:

• Zinc – thought to control the production of gases that cause bad breath; it also prevents plaque from hardening on the teeth.
• Xylitol – natural germ fighter that has been shown to reduce plaque levels when used regularly.
• Flouride – helps to strengthen teeth, improve their health, and make them more resistant to cavities.
• Essential Oils - have anti-inflammatory properties used to calm gums, as well as anti-bacterial properties to kill harmful bacteria.
• Hydrogen Peroxide – helps whiten teeth and kill germs.
• Baking Soda - keeps the mouth feeling moist and clean; also mildly whitens and kills germs.

Quick tip! - Alcohol is one ingredient that you should avoid in mouthwash. While it may quickly dry up bad breath-causing bacteria, it can also create more of it, since alcohol causes the salivary glands to become dry. If there isn’t enough saliva in the mouth, then there’s no way to wash away the bacteria. One popular example is Listerine. Yes it’s tried and true, but unfortunately it yields these undesirable results, so be forewarned.

*4 brands that get the job done!

• AP-24 Fluoride Mouthwash
• Supersmile Oral Rinse
• Crest Pro-Health Complete Rinse
• SmartMouth

Did you know that diet soda can destroy your smile by “softening the enamel of your teeth?”

A study published in the Academy of General Dentistry, concluded that diet sodas can dissolve your teeth’s enamel, therefore weakening healthy tooth structure. Doctors say: “What the diet soda lacks in sugar, it makes up for in acid. It takes seven minutes from the time you take your first sip for the acids to start eroding your teeth.”

So what if you just can’t give up the the habit? The best solution is to brush your teeth immediately after drinking so the acids won’t have a chance to settle. When brushing isn’t an option, mouthwash or water is better than nothing.

Now you know!

*Source: New Beauty Magazine

Did you know…

That according to the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP), those with gum disease are almost two times more likely to to suffer from heart disease?

One theory suggests that bacteria in the mouth enter the bloodstream through the gums, traveling up the heart, attaching to blood vessels and restricting the amount of nutrients and oxygen that reaches the heart.

…?!?

It’s estimated that toothbrushes harbor hundreds of millions of viruses and cold and infection causing bacteria.

But don’t fret, I read about an item that can help us through this!

The Violight Zapi Toothbrush Sanitizer (pic) – This sanitizer kills 99.9% of the bacteria on your toothbrush that would otherwise seep into your gums. In just minutes, ultraviolet light kills bacteria by breaking up their chemical composition.

Hey, for $30 & a 2yr warranty… I’m in!

Have you ever had a conversation with someone who’s breath made it too hard to concentrate on the topic?

Yogurt. That’s right!  Skip the Trident and go for the yogurt.

A recent study found that a serving of yogurt each day reduces the level of odor-causing hydrogen sulfide in the mouth. Apparently, it also cuts back on bacteria in the mouth—plaque and gum disease were reduced in the study’s yogurt eaters as well.

According to the American Dietetic Association (ADA), the Vitamin D in foods such as yogurt, cheese and milk actually helps create an inhospitable environment for bacteria growth. Be sure to get the kind of yogurt with active cultures—not overly processed or sugar-added varieties.

So, with proper dental care and a daily serving of yogurt, the toughest part of avoiding bad breath is going to be figuring out how to tell this to your co-worker!…  Good luck!

Source: MSN.com – Health

Did you know that silver

You see, silver is best known for its ability to kill bacteria on contact.  It is scientifically proven to block the bacteria’s ability to transfer oxygen through its cell walls by essentially suffocating it within six minutes! Silver can be found in many oral care products, like mouthwash. And, it’s also found in astringents and toners used to expel damaging toxins from the skin.

Silver has been documented to kill over 650 known germs, so that being said, this is definitely an ingredient you should be looking for in your grooming products!

According to a recent University of North Carolina study… “Males with perfectly aligned pearly whites are associated with qualities such as dominance, strength, and social competance”.

So, I guess instead of starting a new workout program for the New Year, maybe a visit to the dentist to brighten and straighten that smile is a better idea!

Click Here for a few teeth whitening tips!

* Source – Men’s Health Magazine –  December, 2009 – Page. 28

Who wouldn’t want their teeth looking nice and bright?  But, there should be a limit.  Moderation is key, and if you are not doing camera work (umm…that’s “in-front”of the camera) then we all should stear clear of a potentially “blinding” smile.  So here are a few safe and effective ways to get that picture perfect smile.

Whitening Toothpastes

• will lift superficial stains, scrubs off the daily residue left by coffee or red wine but won’t get rid of deeper discoloration  
• 5 minutes a day
• $3.50 – $20 per tube

Halogen Lamp

• most effective procedure to get noticeably whiter natural looking teeth
• can take up to an hour and a half (Repeat once a year)
• Approx. – $600

Custom-fit Trays

• will get your teeth about as white as the lamp will, but the peroxide will not penetrate as deep
• two visits to the dentist for molds and then two weeks of wearing the trays (Repeat every 6 mos.)
• Approx. – $400

Source: DETAILS Magazine