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If you are, this post may cause you to start biting your nails. Onychophagia is the clinical word for nail biting, a common habit that many people develop when they are children. Like hair twirling or finger tapping, it’s usually done unconsciously. 

More than just bad for your nails and aesthetic, nail biting is also bad for your teeth. Most nail biters want to quit, but just can’t seem to kick the habit. Here are three things you can try to help you quit for good. 
Use a deterrent:

There are several products you can apply to your nails that deliver a nasty taste when you try to bite them. You can find these at almost any drug store, and they are very inexpensive. Because you probably don’t even notice when you are biting, it’s a great way to get your own attention.

Carry a set of clippers:
1. It’s difficult to bite your nails when they are well groomed, so carry a set of clippers in your pocket or purse. If you feel a sharp spot or edge on your nails, use the clippers before you have a chance to chew them.
2. Distraction your hands:
Try twirling a pen or squeezing a stress ball. Busy hands rarely make it to your mouth, so keep them occupied with something else. Not only will you bite your nails less, you’ll also improve your hand strength and dexterity!

Do you have other ideas to help someone quit biting their nails? Share them in the comments.

You might remember from my December post - I was part of a team of doctors from Bright Now Dental’s parent company, Smile Brands Inc., that recently returned from a mission trip to Asunción, Paraguay. We were led by President and CEO Steve Bilt, the executives and dentists spent 8 days visiting orphanages and nutrition centers, bringing critical dental care to residents who otherwise have no access to basic health services. Nicknamed SEAL Team One (Service Expedition Accelerating Leaders), the group performed over one thousand extractions and restorations, ultimately helping over 300 Paraguayan children in desperate need of care. Smile Brands Inc. and the Smiles for Everyone Foundation are planning two additional mission trips in 2012, to be announced in the coming months. We invite you to view the video below to get a sense of the life-changing experience of the Paraguay mission.

Do you love Julia Roberts’s wide, toothy grin? Or are you more a fan of Scarlett Johansson’s sultry, red carpet-glam smile? With so many beautiful smiles out there, it’s hard to choose. The one thing we can all agree on though, is a that a beautiful smile goes a long way. Not only do you come across beautiful on the outside, but a warm, radiant grin makes you look even more beautiful on the inside too! And of course, when we want some toothy inspiration, where else do we turn but celebs? Whether natural or enhanced, celebrities can almost always be counted on to flash a winner. Below are a few of my favorites, who do you think shines brightest on the red carpet?

Jessica Alba

It may be the glow of motherhood, but Jessica just shines from within. Her confidence and charm are radiated through her gleaming smile and I can’t help but put her on top of my list.

Chace Crawford and Blake Lively

I admit, the show Gossip Girl has this unexplainable ability to catch my eye. I may pause a little longer than I would like to disclose, but I can’t help but notice the great smiles. I have to say, “Serena” and “Nate” (whose names I know strictly from asking my son, I swear) have particularly sticking grins.

Gisele Bundchen

Well who can’t put the highest paid supermodel in the world on this list? Not only is she married to one of my favorite QBs, she’s got a grin that can light up a room with her perfectly straight teeth that are beautifully white.

When you work in a dental office, you often get asked about teeth whitening. Should I have my teeth professionally whitened? Are there negative side-effects? What about whitening toothpaste? No matter your question, the most important information I can share here is that the answer will vary for each person. Not all smiles are the same.

For some, simply using whitening toothpaste will give them the results they are looking for. For others, whitening toothpastes can cause sensitive teeth with very little benefit. Some people will see a big improvement from bleaching treatment, while others might not see any noticeable improvement. As with any smile related question, the best place to get information that is right for you is from your dentist or oral hygienist.

If you decide to whiten your teeth, be sure to avoid negating your efforts. Avoid things like tobacco, coffee and red wine which can cause staining. Need that caffeine fix in the morning? Try using a straw to reduce the contact with the front of your teeth. Also, keep in mind that staining takes time to set in; brush or rinse immediately after consuming a stain causing food or drink to keep your teeth white.

And remember, good oral hygiene practices are the best way to whiten your smile. White teeth may be attractive, but healthy teeth last. That means daily brushing and flossing, regular dental visits and a healthy diet.

If you’re reading this, you are one of nearly seven billion people who got a wonderful gift this week, one that was a lot better than a fuzzy reindeer sweater.  At midnight last Saturday, we all got a brand new year.  That’s  366 days (yep, 2012 is a leap year) and I plan to make the most of all of them.  If you’re at a loss about what to do with all that time, here are five ideas to get you going.

1.    Smile more, and not just at people you know. Treat strangers to a big grin. It’s good for you. Really.  A study by the British Dental Health Foundation says smiling has the mood-elevating power of eating 2,000 chocolate bars, without the calories or the cavities! Besides, you might just make somebody else’s day.

2.    Celebrate getting a year older. Hey, it beats the alternative. Don’t wait for your birthday, either. Schedule a few very merry un-birthdays throughout the year.

3.    Step outside your comfort zone every chance you get.  I’m not talking about taking up sky diving (but go right ahead if you want to). Just little tweaks to your routine like shopping at a different grocery store or wearing bright purple can help knock you out of a rut.

4.    Breathe. Deeply.  Have you ever noticed how you hold your breath when you’re nervous or stressed out? Taking long, slow deep breaths can help relieve tension and clear the fuzz out of your brain. 

5.    Carve out a few minutes a day to be alone and daydream. Hide in the bathroom or sit in your car if you have to, but spend a little time thinking about anything except your million-things-to-do list. Let your imagination run amok. It’s free and it could be the little push you need to make a dream come true.

How will you use your new year’s gift of time? Better get going, it’s already January 9th!

What does it mean if your dentist or hygienist tells you your child needs sealants? First of all, it’s an easy procedure with little to no discomfort – no numbing and if any drilling is done, it is minimal. And secondly, it’s one of the best proactive steps you can take to protect your child’s teeth against decay.

What we do is apply a thin coating of plastic or  composite in the grooves on the permanent back teeth. These “chewing surfaces” are the most likely places for children, and even teenagers, to develop tooth decay. The sealant or preventive restorative resin coats the tooth and helps keep food particles and germs from getting into the grooves. Think of it as locking down teeth with protective armor against the bacteria that would like to break in and do some serious damage. Most sealants are clear, so you can’t even tell they are there, while PRRs are tooth colored. Most children can barely feel the difference on their teeth.

While normally sealants or PRRs are provided for children as soon as their permanent teeth come in, some adults may need sealants if they never received them as children or are at greater risk for dental caries.

Sealants and PRRs can last for many years. Occasionally, your dentist may touch up the sealant on one or two teeth.  But just because your child has sealants doesn’t mean you can slow down with brushing, flossing and fluoride rinsing. Sealants are just one part of a  comprehensive, smart dental prevention plan for growing children.