CRANBERRY TOOTHPASTE?

The study was based on the fact that cranberry juice seems to prevent urinary tract infections by not allowing bacteria to stick in the urinary tract. People who are prone to such infections have been encouraged to drink large quantities of cranberry juice to prevent them.

So, should you do the same to prevent plaque? Not so fast. Surely, a glass or so of cranberry juice is good for you, but because of the large amounts of sugar needed to overcome the natural bitterness of the cranberries, excessive amounts aren't good for your teeth.

Rather, leave it to the researchers to isolate the substance

and figure out ways to add it to dental products.Who knows...in the future, you just might be brushing with cranberry toothpaste.

FIND THE HIDDEN SUGAR
Sugar is a sneaky thing. It can hide out in places where you wouldn't expect it to be and go completely unnoticed. Many carbohydrates have a high sugar content, but these foods are not commonly thought of as "sweet," and they can be hard to identify.

For instance, did you know that corn and white rice are high in sugar? Root vegetables, such as potatoes, carrots, and beets, are also suspect. These items are all high in starch. Fruits that are high in sugar include bananas, pineapple, watermelon, and raisins (which also stick to teeth).

Of course, you don't need to avoid these foods altogether, but there are even healtier alternatives. Try whole-grain breads and pastas, sweet potatoes, peas, apricots, peaces, grapes, and nuts in place of the aforementioned foods

AVOID EARLY TOOTH DECAY

Of course, young children do drink a lot during the day, and formula, milk and juice are all necessary to good health. It's when these liquids are in the mouth continually or during sleep that chances for decay are increased.

To avoid early tooth decay:
Substitute water for other drinks during the day. Save milk and juice for mealtimes.

- Clean gums with a wet washcloth, and begin brushing teeth as soon as they appear.

- Never put your child to bed with a bottle containing anything but fresh water.

- Watch the intake of solid sugars as well as liquid ones.

- Never dip a pacifier in anything but clean water.

- Wean children when they are ready for a cup, but not too soon, since sucking on a bottle can help facial muscles to develop properly.

With a little care and attention, you can give your infant a good start toward dental health for a lifetime.

It's no secret that this country is obsessed with youth. Everyone wants to look younger or stay young-looking. Facelifts and liposuction are among the popular procedures people undergo to try to stay young. What many people forget is that keeping your smile young-looking can go a long waay toward keeping your overall appearance youthful.

Taking care of your teeth is an excellent investment in comparison to some of the more expensive methods for staying young-looking. By following a careful homecare regiment and having regular cleanings and checkups, you can keep your teeth beautiful for years to come.

First, brushing for a minute or longer with a fluoride toothpaste after each meal is the best way to remove bacteria that cause decay and periodontal disease. But don't brush too hard. Brushing longer - not harder - is the key to successful plaque removal.

Second, flossing daily removes the bacteria that hide between teeth and feed on food debris lodged there. The acids that these bacteria excrete can lead to dental health problems.

Third, Watch your diet. Foods containing high concentration of sugars and carbohydrates are favorites of decay-causing bacteria. Avoid sticky foods as well. When you must eat these foods, be sure to brush afterward.

Fourth, avoid stain-causing habits such as tea and coffee drinking and smoking. Stains on your teeth mar the natural whiteness of your smile. In addition, sipping coffee all day long can give bacteria additional food supplies and keep them active. Looking young doesn't have to be expensive. It can be as simple as taking good care of your teeth. A healthy, youthful smile can mean a better-looking you.