A TOOTH STORY
ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS MY TWO FRONT TEETH—AND THE REST OF THEM TO BE
WHITE AS THE DRIVEN SNOW

Turkey with all the trimmings, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, red wine, chocolate—the holiday season is filled with
tasty treats that can discolor even the brightest smile. World-famous dentist and Supersmile creator Dr. Irwin Smigel
gives THE FAMILY GROOVE some super tips on how to keep your smile sparkling from Thanksgiving Day until New
Year’s Eve and beyond.
                                                                                      

		Schedule a visit with your dentist or hygienist for a check-up and professional cleaning before the hustle and bustle of the holidays sets in. For the healthiest smile possible, it's always important to be checked professionally. An in-office cleaning will help assure that you are starting from the very best baseline.
		For the ultimate whitening results, a professional bleaching treatment from your dentist will dramatically whiten your smile. The bleaching treatment is performed under careful doctor supervision to safely whiten your smile without harming any delicate dental work of fillings and minimizing sensitivity. For stubborn stains this is a wonderful option. Please remember that after bleaching, for a limited time, it is very important to eat and drink white food (anything that can stain a white shirt, will stain your newly bleached teeth). Most importantly, using a good whitening product will enhance and maintain the newly bleached teeth.
		At home whitening kits are also great solution for quick brightening results when in-office bleaching treatments aren’t an option. Whitening strips are simple to use and produce and produce noticeable results after each use. Be sure to use as instructed.Using the products more often than specified can lead to over-bleaching and sensitivity.
		To improve spaces or chipped teeth, see an aesthetic dentist to do some bonding or cosmetic contouring which can give your whole face a smile makeover. The procedure is inexpensive and non-invasive and correcting these minor imperfections can enhance your natural beauty. To find an aesthetic dentist in your area, please visit www.asdatoday.com.
		Daily brushing with a toothbrush with bristles angled at 45 degrees will provide a more effective cleaning of your teeth and gums. Your teeth will look and feel incredibly smooth and shiny. This will also eliminate the bacteria that can cause bad breath and prevent bacteria from settling underneath the gum-line.
		A non-abrasive whitening toothpaste will help to remove superficial stains (coffee, tea, red wine, tobacco, etc.) from discoloring your smile. Look for products that contain the whitening agent Calprox. This special ingredient helps to gently dissolve the protein pellicle (sticky film on teeth) which bacteria and stain attach on your teeth. Removal of this film results in the natural whiteness of your teeth.
		Clean your tongue. 85% of bad breath is caused by bacteria left on the tongue. Using a flexible tongue cleaner or a plastic spoon before daily brushing can remove this unwanted bacteria and leave your mouth feeling fresh.
		Don’t forget to floss. Flossing your teeth once or twice a day will help clean areas that normal brushing can’t reach. Flossing can remove plaque, bacteria from underneath the gum-line and food that may be lodged tightly between teeth resulting in a healthier mouth. To whiten in between teeth, dip un-waxed dental floss into whitening toothpaste. This will help dissolve stubborn stains like coffee and tobacco from between teeth.
		It may seem silly, but using a straw can help reduce liquids like coffee, tea, red wine, chocolate milk, grape juice, etc. from staining your teeth. When using a straw, the liquids consumed do not come in contact with teeth and therefore won't darken your smile.
		A well-formulated oral rinse will not only freshen your breath but can prevent the build up of plaque. If used immediately after eating, the rinse can wash away any traces of food that might stain teeth. The best oral rinses contain little to no alcohol and special germicidal agents to provide long lasting fresh breath.
		Limiting your consumption of dark foods and tobacco will not only prevent your smile from being discolored, but also help in overall total wellness.
		Brush you teeth before going to sleep. Brushing in the morning is important, but we swallow about 200 times during the day, and it is like a clear reservoir washing and cleaning your teeth. During the night, we only swallow 20 times and that is when plaque and bacteria can form. The best way to avoid waking with bad breath and bacteria that can cause decay is to brush thoroughly before bed time.

Dr. Irwin Smigel, known as the Father of Aesthetic Dentistry, founded and is the current president of the American Society for Dental Aesthetics (www.asdatoday.com). Dr. Smigel is also the inventor and international spokesperson for Supersmile Total Oral Care Whitening Products (with Calprox©). Dr. Smigel maintains a successful practice on Madison Avenue where his clients include Johnny Depp, Kelly Ripa, Barry Diller and Elizabeth Taylor to name just a few. You can reach him at dr.smigel@supersmile.com or visit his site www.supersmile.com.