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When it’s been a while since you last brushed, and not so long since your last meal, do you reach for a stick of gum to help improve your breath? You’re not alone, but how much does gum really help? The fact is, not all flavors are equal when it comes to freshening your breath. 

So what flavors are best? The trick to choosing the right gum is choosing the right oils. 

It’s a little known fact that some gums contain natural oils that fight odor causing germs, reducing bad breath rather than just temporarily masking it.  

Here’s a list of the best flavors of gum for your post-onion laden lunch. 

• Cinnamon: The oils found in cinnamon are potent germ killers, and have a naturally fresh smell. This helps immediately freshen your breath, while also fighting the cause of bad breath while you chew.  

• Mint: Whether it’s peppermint, spearmint or wintermint (whatever that is) mint gums help stimulate the production of saliva, which is your body’s natural germ fighter. Plus, you get a burst of fresh breath right away. 

• Citrus: While it does not have an overtly fresh smell while your chewing it, citrus flavored gums are also great at stimulating your saliva production.  

No matter what kind of gum you chew, the benefits go beyond freshening your breath. Chewing gum also helps clean your teeth, reduce snack and sugar cravings, strengthens your jaw and even aids in digestion.

When you come home after a long day it is comforting to find your pet waiting at the door with a big smile on their face. But does that smile really mean that they are happy to see you? Often people attribute humanlike emotions to animals even though none exist. This is known as anthropomorphism and is very common, especially in pet owners. Animals exhibit emotions differently than humans and that includes happiness. For instance even though smiling in humans means we are generally happy in your dog it is a form of submission and a fear response. In baboons smiling is a form of aggression and a great way to start a fight. Some scientists theorize that even human smiles were initially a submissive gesture meant to put more aggressive members of our species at ease and has since evolved in into an expression of happiness and contentment. Though animals may not smile to indicate their moods, there are other physical tells that let you know when your pet is glad to see you. Here is a list of the different ways that animals can crack a smile

• Dogs: If your dog is wagging his tail in a fast manner, is giving you a bow (where his front is down and his hind is raised) and has his mouth partly opening then he is giving you the doggy version of a smile. Be careful to note whether he is panting or wagging his tail slowly, these can both be signs of fear that could lead to aggression.

• Cats: If you can carry on a conversation with your cat it generally means they are in a good mood. Cats tend to vocalize with high pitched “chirps” when relaxed, while low tones are reserved for demands (yes, cats demand things of you). 

• Birds: Birds are naturally vocal creatures and will express happiness through singing, whistling, and chattering. Wing flapping and beak grinding can also be forms of expressing happiness.

• Horses: A happy horse is a relaxed horse. Their ears will be pricked forward or floppy. Their tail may be raised slightly but will be still (excess tail swishing indicates irritation). Horses also love to play and will often kick and buck when you turn them out just for the sheer joy in it.

No one likes to think about having cavities, but the sooner you identify one, the sooner you can fix it and avoid more serious problems.

Here are five signs that you might have one developing and may want to schedule an appointment with your dentist:

1. Pain. This is the most obvious. If your teeth hurt, the source could very well be a cavity.

2. Sensitivity. If you notice that a particular spot in your mouth has become sensitive to hot, cold or sugary foods, it could be a sign that a cavity is developing.

3. Bad breath. Sometimes really bad cavities that have had time to fester can cause bad breath. The reason is simple: Bacteria. Once an infection sets in, it can produce a particularly bad smell – another reason to take care of your teeth and visit the dentist at the first sign of trouble.

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, schedule an appointment with your dentist to get them checked out.

Spring has come, and that means it is time to change up your wardrobe color palate, including new lipstick shades. Did you know that the color of your lipstick can affect how white your teeth look? According to a SELF Magazine article featured titled, “23 Lip Shades that Make Your Teeth Look Pearly White,” the shade of your lips can have a drastic effect on how your smile. So while you are sprucing up for spring, here are some helpful tips to make sure you bring out your most beautiful smile. 

Lipstick do’s

• Pale/light, sheer and bright pinks will counteract yellow tones with hints of blue and enough color to brighten up your face.

• Bright and deep red hues can make teeth look brighter than they are, plus the contrast with the rest of your face will make your lips pop!

Lipstick don’ts 

• Avoid shades with strong yellow or orange tones – these can bring out those same shades in your teeth, making your smile appear duller.

• Be careful with nudes – going too light for your complexion can make your teeth appear darker in contrast. 

• Colors outside of the pink and red family can be fun, but be careful of deep hues, like purples because they can reflect on the teeth and also makes the mouth look darker than it really is. 

So when you switch up your style, pay attention to your lipstick shade in order to keep your smile sparkling!

Check out offers from your local Bright Now! Dental office in order to brighten up your smile.

If you’ve ever had braces or been embarrassed about showing off your smile because of the appearance of your teeth, then you know how difficult and stressful it is when someone says those two words: say cheese! Smiling isn’t for everyone, and more often than not, a forced smile out of discomfort can be more distracting and unattractive than imperfect teeth. 

To help put you more at ease when the impromptu photo-opp comes up, we’ve put together some tips and alternatives to smiling that won’t ruin the picture!

• Talk or laugh out loud. Having a candid face will look more genuine

• Tilt your head down. This will shift focus to your eyes and away from your mouth. 

• Take a profile or over-the-shoulder shot. If you can choose how you’re facing the camera, taking a photo so you’re not looking straight on at the camera is often more flattering. Similar to tilting your head down a bit, this angle will help take focus away from your teeth.

• Learn to smile with your eyes. Your eyes prove all sincere smiles, so learning how to keep your expression here will get rid of the forced or uncomfortable look that might happen if you’re focused on what your mouth is doing. 

• Use props. Depending on the situation, props are a great way to capture a moment in a playful way. Having something like a mask or a drink to hold up to or near your face will divert attention from your teeth, while showing that you’re having fun in that moment. 

• Make faces. The notorious “duck lips” or “kissy face” is a growing phenomenon among teens and young adults, but there is something to it. Making a face like these or even something fun like sticking out your tongue or opening in your mouth in a surprised fashion can help give life and context to a photo. It also helps mix things up from the standard smile-at-the-camera look.

• Limit the teeth you show. Showing just your upper teeth can convey confidence and also limits the full effect of an imperfect smile. Sometimes it helps to open your mouth a little to raise your lip more above your bottom teeth to accomplish this kind of smile.

No matter how you choose to take a photo, the important thing to remember is being confident! Straight teeth or not, a genuine smile in the eyes and knowing which angle you feel most comfortable can make all the difference. 

If you would like to improve your smile, come see us at a local Bright Now! Dental office. Click here to schedule.

Now that spring has sprung, it’s time to pick out your snazziest outfit, break out your dancing shoes and put yourself out there for your first date. If you’re like most people, by now you’ve probably obsessed over everything from how you’ll greet your prospective love interest (hug vs. handshake) to how you style your hair, but have you given any thought to what you’ll order at the dinner table? Most dates do begin with breaking bread together, after all.

To avoid putting a damper on your dating mojo, steer clear from ordering any of the following foods:

1. Garlic and onion - This one is a no-brainer, unless you’d be satisfied with a handshake at the end of the night instead of a kiss. Garlic and onions can be used to add flavor to your favorite dishes, so beware.

2. Corn on the cob - This dish is notoriously difficult to eat, and more than likely your date will not be impressed with how well you can pick kernels out of your teeth with a toothpick.

3. Spinach or pesto - Nothing says romance more than a little green guy lodged between your teeth. Avoid flashing a leafy smile to help increase your chances for scoring date No. 2.

4. Soup  - Slurping has never been in style. Opt for the salad instead for a more classy option.

5. Spaghetti - Pasta may seem deceptively safe, but ordering spaghetti with marinara sauce is a no-no. Not only will it leave your carefully curated outfit freckled with spots, but you’ll also look like a goober eating it. If you’re in the mood for pasta, try something more solid, like shells or ravioli.

Now that your menu choices are squared away, don’t forget to bring your best accessory – your smile (and maybe a pack of sugar-free gum to freshen up after your meal). Bon appétit!

Want a better smile for a date? Make an appointment at your nearest Bright Now! Dental location. Click here to schedule.

Should you be using a traditional, electric or sonic toothbrush? Check out what our resident blogger, Sandra Johnson has to say about the difference between the three. And remember, If a sonic toothbrush sounds right for you, enter into our Bright Now Dental Intelisonic toothbrush sweepstakes. We're giving away a brush every week this month! (prize valued at $200)

Ever notice how most people seem to carry either mints or gum, but rarely both? It seems everyone has a preferred breath freshener and that they rarely overlap. So which one is better? The answer completely depends on the situation. 

Mints are great if you want an instant blast of fresh breath, but don’t want to have something in your mouth for the next half hour or more. They are also easy to pack around without worrying about temperature, (gum doesn’t hold up very well in a pocket or hot car) and most mint containers pack a lot more individual pieces than a pack of gum. This means you get more occasions of fresh breath for the price.

On the down side, mints usually dissolve quickly, so you’re likely to consume them at a faster rate than gum. Plus, the flavors are very limited compared to gum.  

Gum has many of the same breath freshening qualities that mints do, and some gums even kill odor-causing bacteria. It’s also ideal for after meals, as chewing gum helps to remove food particles and bacteria from your teeth and stimulates saliva production, which can help with bad breath and dry mouth. Some gums even help whiten your teeth. 

Gum has its drawbacks, too. Chewing gum can be distracting or even disrespectful in some situations (interviews, for example) and prolonged chewing can cause jaw fatigue. 

So what do you think? Will you switch breath fresheners based on these pros and cons?

If you have chronic bad breath you may also want to get your teeth cleaned at your nearest Bright Now! Dental location. Click here to schedule an appointment.

If you've been thinking of investing in a sonic toothbrush, now’s a great time to visit Bright Now Dental’s Facebook page. During the month of April, we’ll be drawing one person at random each week to receive a free Intelisonic toothbrush.

All you have to do to enter is visit this link to our contest tab, and submit your name and email address:

http://woobox.com/5x7pxu

Sonic toothbrushes can be great devices for improving the cleanliness of your teeth. If you’ve had difficulty using traditional brushes – whether it’s been hand/arm pain from brushing, trouble remembering to brush for a full two minutes or pain caused by sensitive teeth – a sonic brush could be the right choice.

Sonic brushes can retail for upwards of $100, making them a significant investment, but they can also dramatically increase the number of brush strokes that go into each of your tooth-brushing sessions and make brushing more comfortable.

Talk to your dentist about whether a sonic brush might be right for you, and if it is, we welcome you to sign up for our contest for a chance at a free brush. Click here to schedule an appointment.

The changing seasons can have a real impact on your oral health. As our bodies adjust to new seasons, climate and weather change means we should revisit the kind of care we are giving ourselves.

Colder weather or exposure to hot weather and the sun can take a toll on your lips, potentially causing them to dry out and chap. Similarly, dry climates can mean dry mouths, one of the root causes of bad breath. 

To keep your mouth healthy and happy, always be sure to:

• Stay hydrated – This will benefit your skin and mouth by stimulating saliva production that can help curb bad breath and having hydrated skin helps prevent over drying and chapping. 

• Protection from the elements – Whether you’re enjoying a white winter in the snow, or basking in the summer sun on a beach, it’s always important to protect your lips with a balm or gloss. The best products will be those that offer moisture, and SPF protection. See our Lip Balm vs. Lip Gloss blog post for more info.

• Use a humidifier – Having a humidifier running at home will help prevent dry mouth and keep lips from chapping during seasons when the air is dry.

• Make sure your toothbrush is clean – This might sound like an odd reminder, but often times fall and winter mean the arrival of flu season. It is common for symptoms of gum irritation, toothaches and bad breath to coincide with the flu or sinus infection. One way to help prevent flu is to make sure your toothbrush is stored in a safe, clean area, away from debris or exposure to other toothbrushes, especially of those who are sick. 

• Exfoliate – Using your toothbrush, exfoliate your lips after brushing to keep skin healthy and smooth. Similarly, using your toothbrush or a tongue scraper to clean your tongue is a great way to get rid of bacteria build up and prevent against illness, especially during peak cold and flu season.