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Posts for tag: celebrity smiles

Expert Advice: Vivica A. Fox on Kissing and Oral health

By The Smile Spa
February 04, 2019
Category: Oral Health
Tags: celebrity smiles   oral health  
ExpertAdviceVivicaAFoxonKissingandOralhealth

Is having good oral hygiene important to kissing? Who's better to answer that question than Vivica A. Fox? Among her other achievements, the versatile actress won the “Best Kiss” honor at the MTV Movie Awards, for a memorable scene with Will Smith in the 1996 blockbuster Independence Day. When Dear Doctor magazine asked her, Ms. Fox said that proper oral hygiene was indeed essential. Actually, she said:

"Ooooh, yes, yes, yes, Honey, 'cause Baby, if you kiss somebody with a dragon mouth, my God, it's the worst experience ever as an actor to try to act like you enjoy it!"

And even if you're not on stage, it's no fun to kiss someone whose oral hygiene isn't what it should be. So what's the best way to step up your game? Here's how Vivica does it:

“I visit my dentist every three months and get my teeth cleaned, I floss, I brush, I just spent two hundred bucks on an electronic toothbrush — I'm into dental hygiene for sure.”

Well, we might add that you don't need to spend tons of money on a toothbrush — after all, it's not the brush that keeps your mouth healthy, but the hand that holds it. And not everyone needs to come in as often every three months. But her tips are generally right on.

For proper at-home oral care, nothing beats brushing twice a day for two minutes each time, and flossing once a day. Brushing removes the sticky, bacteria-laden plaque that clings to your teeth and causes tooth decay and gum disease — not to mention malodorous breath. Don't forget to brush your tongue as well — it can also harbor those bad-breath bacteria.

While brushing is effective, it can't reach the tiny spaces in between teeth and under gums where plaque bacteria can hide. But floss can: That's what makes it so important to getting your mouth really clean.

Finally, regular professional checkups and cleanings are an essential part of good oral hygiene. Why? Because even the most dutiful brushing and flossing can't remove the hardened coating called tartar that eventually forms on tooth surfaces. Only a trained health care provider with the right dental tools can! And when you come in for a routine office visit, you'll also get a thorough checkup that can detect tooth decay, gum disease, and other threats to your oral health.

Bad breath isn't just a turn-off for kissing — It can indicate a possible problem in your mouth. So listen to what award-winning kisser Vivica Fox says: Paying attention to your oral hygiene can really pay off! For more information, contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can read the entire interview with Vivica A. Fox in Dear Doctor's latest issue.

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Nancy O'Dell on Making Oral Hygiene Fun for Kids

By The Smile Spa
December 26, 2018
Category: Oral Health
Tags: celebrity smiles   oral hygiene   pediatric care  
NancyODellonMakingOralHygieneFunforKids

When Entertainment Tonight host Nancy O’Dell set out to teach her young daughter Ashby how to brush her teeth, she knew the surest path to success would be to make it fun for the toddler.

“The best thing with kids is you have to make everything a game,” Nancy recently said in an interview with Dear Doctor TV. She bought Ashby a timer in the shape of a tooth that ticks for two minutes — the recommended amount of time that should be spent on brushing — and the little girl loved it. “She thought that was super fun, that she would turn the timer on and she would brush her teeth for that long,” Nancy said.

Ashby was also treated to a shopping trip for oral-hygiene supplies with Mom. “She got to go with me and choose the toothpaste that she wanted,” Nancy recalled. “They had some SpongeBob toothpaste that she really liked, so we made it into a fun activity.”

Seems like this savvy mom is on to something! Just because good oral hygiene is a must for your child’s health and dental development, that doesn’t mean it has to feel like a chore. Equally important to making oral-hygiene instruction fun is that it start as early as possible. It’s best to begin cleaning your child’s teeth as soon as they start to appear in infancy. Use a small, soft-bristled, child-sized brush or a clean, damp washcloth and just a thin smear of fluoride toothpaste, about the size of a grain of rice.

Once your child is old enough to hold the toothbrush and understand what the goal is, you can let him or her have a turn at brushing; but make sure you also take your turn, so that every tooth gets brushed — front, back and all chewing surfaces. After your child turns 3 and is capable of spitting out the toothpaste, you can increase the toothpaste amount to the size of a pea. Kids can usually take over the task of brushing by themselves around age 6, but may still need help with flossing.

Another great way to teach your children the best oral-hygiene practices is to model them yourself. If you brush and floss every day, and have regular cleanings and exams at the dental office, your child will come to understand what a normal, healthy and important routine this is. Ashby will certainly get this message from her mom.

“I’m very adamant about seeing the dentist regularly,” Nancy O’Dell said in her Dear Doctor interview. “I make sure that I go when I’m supposed to go.”

It’s no wonder that Nancy has such a beautiful, healthy-looking smile. And from the looks of things, her daughter is on track to have one, too. We would like to see every child get off to an equally good start!

If you have questions about your child’s oral health, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can learn more by reading the Dear Doctor magazine articles “Taking the Stress Out of Dentistry for Kids” and “Top 10 Oral Health Tips for Children.”

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Steely Dan Founder's Death Highlights Importance of Early Cancer Detection

By The Smile Spa
November 16, 2018
Category: Oral Health
Tags: celebrity smiles   oral cancer  
SteelyDanFoundersDeathHighlightsImportanceofEarlyCancerDetection

Fans of the legendary rock band Steely Dan received some sad news a few months ago: Co-founder Walter Becker died unexpectedly at the age of 67. The cause of his death was an aggressive form of esophageal cancer. This disease, which is related to oral cancer, may not get as much attention as some others. Yet Becker's name is the latest addition to the list of well-known people whose lives it has cut short—including actor Humphrey Bogart, writer Christopher Hitchens, and TV personality Richard Dawson.

As its name implies, esophageal cancer affects the esophagus: the long, hollow tube that joins the throat to the stomach. Solid and liquid foods taken into the mouth pass through this tube on their way through the digestive system. Worldwide, it is the sixth most common cause of cancer deaths.

Like oral cancer, esophageal cancer generally does not produce obvious symptoms in its early stages. As a result, by the time these diseases are discovered, both types of cancer are most often in their later stages, and often prove difficult to treat successfully. Another similarity is that dentists can play an important role in oral and esophageal cancer detection.

Many people see dentists more often than any other health care professionals—at recommended twice-yearly checkups, for example. During routine examinations, we check the mouth, tongue, neck and throat for possible signs of oral cancer. These may include lumps, swellings, discolorations, and other abnormalities—which, fortunately, are most often harmless. Other symptoms, including persistent coughing or hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, and unexplained weight loss, are common to both oral and esophageal cancer. Chest pain, worsening heartburn or indigestion and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can also alert us to the possibility of esophageal cancer.

Cancer may be a scary subject—but early detection and treatment can offer many people the best possible outcome. If you have questions about oral or esophageal cancer, call our office or schedule a consultation. You can learn more in the Dear Doctor magazine article “Oral Cancer.”

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Margot Robbie Knows: A Great Smile Is Worth Protecting

By The Smile Spa
October 07, 2018
Category: Oral Health
Tags: celebrity smiles   retainer  
MargotRobbieKnowsAGreatSmileIsWorthProtecting

On the big screen, Australian-born actress Margot Robbie may be best known for playing devil-may-care anti-heroes—like Suicide Squad member Harley Quinn and notorious figure skater Tonya Harding. But recently, a discussion of her role in Peter Rabbit proved that in real life, she’s making healthier choices. When asked whether it was hard to voice a character with a speech impediment, she revealed that she wears retainers in her mouth at night, which gives her a noticeable lisp.

“I actually have two retainers,” she explained, “one for my bottom teeth which is for grinding my teeth, and one for my top teeth which is just so my teeth don't move.”

Clearly Robbie is serious about protecting her dazzling smile. And she has good reasons for wearing both of those retainers. So first, let’s talk about retainers for teeth grinding.

Also called bruxism, teeth grinding affects around 10 percent of adults at one time or another, and is often associated with stress. If you wake up with headaches, sore teeth or irritated gums, or your sleeping partner complains of grinding noises at night, you may be suffering from nighttime teeth grinding without even being aware of it.

A type of retainer called an occlusal guard is frequently recommended to alleviate the symptoms of bruxism. Typically made of plastic, this appliance fits comfortably over your teeth and prevents them from being damaged when they rub against each other. In combination with stress reduction techniques and other conservative treatments, it’s often the best way to manage teeth grinding.

Orthodontic retainers are also well-established treatment devices. While appliances like braces or aligners cause teeth to move into better positions, retainers are designed to keep teeth from moving—helping them to stay in those positions. After active orthodontic treatment, a period of retention is needed to allow the bite to stabilize. Otherwise, the teeth can drift right back to their old locations, undoing the time and effort of orthodontic treatment.

So Robbie has the right idea there too. However, for those who don’t relish the idea of wearing a plastic appliance, it’s often possible to bond a wire retainer to the back surfaces of the teeth, where it’s invisible. No matter which kind you choose, wearing a retainer can help keep your smile looking great for many years to come.

If you have questions about teeth grinding or orthodontic retainers, please contact our office or schedule a consultation. You can read more in the Dear Doctor magazine articles “Teeth Grinding” and “The Importance of Orthodontic Retainers.”

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Any Time, Any Place: Cam Newton's Guide to Flossing

By The Smile Spa
August 28, 2018
Category: Oral Health
Tags: celebrity smiles   oral hygiene  
AnyTimeAnyPlaceCamNewtonsGuidetoFlossing

When is the best time to floss your teeth: Morning? Bedtime? How about: whenever and wherever the moment feels right?

For Cam Newton, award-winning NFL quarterback for the Carolina Panthers, the answer is clearly the latter. During the third quarter of the 2016 season-opener between his team and the Denver Broncos, TV cameras focused on Newton as he sat on the bench. The 2015 MVP was clearly seen stretching a string of dental floss between his index fingers and taking care of some dental hygiene business… and thereby creating a minor storm on the internet.

Inappropriate? We don't think so. As dentists, we're always happy when someone comes along to remind people how important it is to floss. And when that person has a million-dollar smile like Cam Newton's — so much the better.

Of course, there has been a lot of discussion lately about flossing. News outlets have gleefully reported that there's a lack of hard evidence at present to show that flossing is effective. But we would like to point out that, as the saying goes, “Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.” There are a number of reasons why health care organizations like the American Dental Association (ADA) still firmly recommend daily flossing. Here are a few:

  • It's well established that when plaque is allowed to build up on teeth, tooth decay and gum disease are bound to follow.
  • A tooth brush does a good job of cleaning most tooth surfaces, but it can't reach into spaces between teeth.
  • Cleaning between teeth (interdental cleaning) has been shown to remove plaque and food debris from these hard-to-reach spaces.
  • Dental floss isn't the only method for interdental cleaning… but it is recognized by dentists as the best way, and is an excellent method for doing this at home — or anywhere else!

Whether you use dental floss or another type of interdental cleaner is up to you. But the ADA stands by its recommendations for maintaining good oral health: Brush twice a day for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste; visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and checkups; and clean between teeth once a day with an interdental cleaner like floss. It doesn't matter if you do it in your own home, or on the sidelines of an NFL game… as long as you do it!

If you would like more information about flossing and oral hygiene, contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation.

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Older Posts celebrity smiles (20)
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Archive:

  • 2019
      • February (2)
        • Test You're Brushing and Flossing Success with a Plaque Disclosing Agent
        • Expert Advice: Vivica A. Fox on Kissing and Oral health
      • January (3)
        • Implant-Supported Dentures Could Boost Your Jawbone Health
        • Less-Invasive Pulp Capping Could Save Your Tooth
        • 3 Ways Orthodontic Techniques Could Prevent a Poor Bite
  • 2018
      • December (3)
        • Nancy O'Dell on Making Oral Hygiene Fun for Kids
        • Moderate Your Child's Juice Drinking to Lower Tooth Decay Risk
        • Practice the Dental Care Basics to Ensure a Healthy Smile
      • November (3)
        • Orthodontists Anticipate Future Facial Growth When Treating Poor Bites
        • Steely Dan Founder's Death Highlights Importance of Early Cancer Detection
        • The Connection Between GERD and Oral Health
      • October (3)
        • Stay Ahead of Plaque Buildup with Effective Brushing and Flossing
        • 4 Signs Your Child May Have a Poor Bite
        • Margot Robbie Knows: A Great Smile Is Worth Protecting
      • September (3)
        • Keep Your New Smile After Orthodontics with a Retainer
        • Treating Gum Disease around Tooth Roots is Hard - but Not Impossible
        • Look After Your Teeth During Cancer Treatment to Avoid Dental Disease
      • August (3)
        • Any Time, Any Place: Cam Newton's Guide to Flossing
        • Pros and Cons for Flossing Before Brushing and Vice-Versa
        • World Cup Soccer Coach-Dentist Saves the Day!
      • July (3)
        • This Young Woman's Cancer Experience a Teachable Moment for all of us
        • Charlize Theron Back in Action After Dental Surgery
        • Need an Effective but Affordable Tooth Replacement? Look at a Flexible RPD
      • June (3)
        • What You Can Do to Support Your Child's Dental Development
        • Tips to Brighten Your Summer Smile
        • Dental Magic Transforms Smiles
      • May (3)
        • Sealants Could Protect Your Child's Teeth From Future Problems
        • Watch Out for Re-Infection After a Root Canal Treatment
        • 3 Possible Timing Scenarios for Getting Your New Implant
      • April (3)
        • Game, Set, Match: Milos Raonic Says A Mouthguard Helps Him Win
        • Don't Let Sports or Energy Drinks Rob you of Your Teeth's Enamel
        • Learn How To Protect Your Teeth During Stress Awareness Month
      • March (3)
        • 3 Fluoride Sources You Should Monitor for Your Family's Dental Health
        • Giancarlo Stanton Gets Major-League Mouth Protection
        • 3 Tips for Helping Your Kids Develop Great Tooth-Friendly Habits
      • February (2)
        • 3 Orthodontic Options for Correcting Bad Bites
        • How to Get the Most from Your Daily Brushing and Flossing
      • January (2)
        • Spice Up Your Teeth
        • Treating Gum Disease may Require Invasive Procedures
  • 2017
      • December (2)
        • Give Yourself the Gift of a New Smile
        • 4 Tips for Avoiding Dental Disease While Wearing Braces
      • November (2)
        • Johnny's Teeth Aren't Rotten Any More
        • Frequently Asked Questions About Diabetes and Oral Health
      • October (2)
        • Why Your Teeth Hurt Will Determine How We Treat Them
        • New Season, New Toothbrush
      • September (3)
        • America's (Dentists) Got Talent - for Fixing Damaged or Missing Teeth!
        • Need a Root Canal? Here's a Step-by-Step Guide on What to Expect
        • Neil Patrick Harris: What the Oscars Host Treasures Most
      • August (2)
        • The Timely Use of a Palatal Expander Could Help Correct a Cross-Bite
        • Fifth Harmony's Camila Cabello Chips a Tooth, but Concert Still "Worth It"
      • July (2)
        • The Simple Bitewing X-Ray is a Game Changer for Maintaining Dental Health
        • Kathy Bates Plays It Smart With Professional Teeth Whitening
      • June (2)
        • Teeth Grinding in Older Children and Adolescents a Cause for Concern
        • Actor David Ramsey Says: Don't Forget to Floss!
      • May (2)
        • If at All Possible, Primary Teeth are Worth Saving
        • Dr. Travis Stork: Don't Ignore Bleeding Gums
      • April (2)
        • Don't Forget Your Oral Hygiene While Wearing Braces
        • Dental Crowns for the King of Magic
      • March (2)
        • Bonded Retainers Provide a Less Noticeable Option for Keeping Teeth Straight
        • Ariana Grande Breaks Free - of Her Wisdom Teeth
      • February (3)
        • Conscious Sedation can Help Ease Your Child's Dental Visit Anxiety
        • Vivica's Veneers: the Making of a Hollywood Smile
        • Air Abrasion: An Alternative to the Traditional Dental Drill
      • January (2)
        • How Kathy Bates Retains Her Movie-Star Smile
        • Disclosing Agents Show Plaque You've Missed When Brushing and Flossing
  • 2016
      • December (2)
        • Life Is Sometimes a Grind for Brooke Shields
        • A Teen's Missing Tooth May Require a Temporary Replacement
      • November (3)
        • Even Celebrities Like Jennifer Lawrence Aren't Immune From Bad Breath!
        • Cleaning Your Oral Appliance Extends its Life and Ensures Good Health
        • Jimmy Fallon Can’t Catch a Break - Except in His Tooth

Tags

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