Go natural to avoid artificial flavors and colors, but make sure the brand you choose has cavity-fighting

fluoride. The Natural Dentist Anticavity ($! has fluoride as "ell as #ylitol ("hich makes $la%ue less sticky!
and aloe vera (an inflammation fighter!. &lus, it's free of sodium lauryl sulfate, a foaming agent that may
cause canker sores.
(ost sensitivity formulas contain ) $ercent $otassium nitrate, "hich blocks rece$tors that translate hot and
cold signals into $ain. *e like +ensoclyne &roNamel iso-active ($)! because it's also $, balanced to hel$
$revent acid erosion. To ma#imi-e the $ain blocking, says Dr. +chlesinger, s$it after brushing, but then "ait
./ minutes before rinsing.
0nly one brand, 1rest &ro-,ealth ($2!, is acce$ted by the American Dental Association in si# categories. 3t
"hitens, reduces sensitivity, and hel$s $revent cavities, gingivitis, $la%ue, and bad breath. 0ne caveat4 3ts
stannous fluoride can cause tooth staining. 3f you notice bro"n s$ots, alert your dentist, "ho can easily
remove them.
The best "ay to kill the germs that cause gum disease is to use a tooth$aste "ith the antimicrobial triclosan,
such as 1olgate Total ($2.)/!. 3n a 5niversity at 6uffalo study, it outgunned a stannous fluoride $roduct. 7ust
brush at a 2)-degree angle, says Dr. 8evi. This hel$s the bristles reach u$ under your gum line, "here
bacteria burro".
Why Oral Hygiene Matters
Sensitive Teeth
3s there a more brain-dead time than the . minutes you s$end brushing your teeth9 :ou stand in front of the
mirror, bristle to enamel, foam s$e"ing, "ith nary a thought in your head. Thing is, you're missing the most
im$ortant o$$ortunity of the day for self-diagnosis. 1lick through the ; biggest oral-care $roblems and find
out everything you need to kno" for healthier teeth, stronger gums, and better breath.
<ead more at (en's ,ealth4 htt$4==""".menshealth.com=grooming=oral-hygiene9cm>mmc?:ahoo>,ealth->-
)@./To$@./Tooth$astes->-+lidesho"->-*hy@./0ral@./,ygiene@./(attersAi#--BrAancdCD
What4 :our stomach is built to contain digestive Euices that break do"n food. 6ut "hen acid esca$es and
heads north to sear sensitive structures and cause heartburn, it can move into your mouth, dissolving
enamel and making your teeth sensitive. Fven more frightening, chronic heartburn can lead to eso$hageal
cancer.
Solution4 &ut do"n the soda can. 1arbonation causes your stomach to e#$and, "hich can $o$ the
eso$hageal s$hincterGthe cork that tra$s stomach acid inside your gut. +ubstitute "ater for soda and che"
sugarless gum to increase saliva, "hich contains enamel-re$airing minerals.
<ead more at (en's ,ealth4 htt$4==""".menshealth.com=grooming=oral-hygiene9cm>mmc?:ahoo>,ealth->-
)@./To$@./Tooth$astes->-+lidesho"->-*hy@./0ral@./,ygiene@./(attersAi#--BrAa**tv5
Bleeding Gums
What4 :our gums become infected "hen $la%ue, a bacteria-laden film that forms on your teeth after you eat,
is allo"ed to harden at the gum line. And blood on your toothbrush is nothing to ignore. Gingivitis has been
linked to tooth loss, heart disease, and, most recently, $ancreatic cancer. <esearchers blame the bacteria,
"hich they think reacts "ith digestive chemicals to create fertile conditions for cancer-cell gro"th.
Solution4 +ugar "orsens gingivitis by feeding the $la%ue that causes it. <e$lace your . s$oonfuls "ith an
artificial s"eetener, such as +$lenda, or eat "alnuts. They're high in methionine, an amino acid that lo"ered
$ancreatic-cancer risk by nearly H/ $ercent in a +"edish study.
<ead more at (en's ,ealth4 htt$4==""".menshealth.com=grooming=oral-hygiene9cm>mmc?:ahoo>,ealth->-
)@./To$@./Tooth$astes->-+lidesho"->-*hy@./0ral@./,ygiene@./(attersAi#--BrAavsv6
Bleeding Gums
What4 :our gums become infected "hen $la%ue, a bacteria-laden film that forms on your teeth after you eat,
is allo"ed to harden at the gum line. And blood on your toothbrush is nothing to ignore. Gingivitis has been
linked to tooth loss, heart disease, and, most recently, $ancreatic cancer. <esearchers blame the bacteria,
"hich they think reacts "ith digestive chemicals to create fertile conditions for cancer-cell gro"th.
Solution4 +ugar "orsens gingivitis by feeding the $la%ue that causes it. <e$lace your . s$oonfuls "ith an
artificial s"eetener, such as +$lenda, or eat "alnuts. They're high in methionine, an amino acid that lo"ered
$ancreatic-cancer risk by nearly H/ $ercent in a +"edish study.
<ead more at (en's ,ealth4 htt$4==""".menshealth.com=grooming=oral-hygiene9cm>mmc?:ahoo>,ealth->-
)@./To$@./Tooth$astes->-+lidesho"->-*hy@./0ral@./,ygiene@./(attersAi#--BrAavsv6
Cold Sores
What4 They look nasty and feel bad, but the real threat of cold sores is the heart havoc the her$es virus can
"reak. ,er$es sim$le# B (,+DB! lies dormant in the nervous system until stress, illness, or fatigue causes a
cold sore. And researchers sus$ect that "hen the virus reactivates, it triggers a nerve res$onse in the
coronary artery that may lead to dangerous clotting.
Solution4 +tress can bring on a cold sore and a heart attack, so consider yoga, tai chi, mediation, or another
method of stress relief. <esearch sho"s these techni%ues can %uell tension and increase immune-system
cells. And a recent German study sho"ed hy$nosis is another $romising cold sore and stress blaster.
<ead more at (en's ,ealth4 htt$4==""".menshealth.com=grooming=oral-hygiene9cm>mmc?:ahoo>,ealth->-
)@./To$@./Tooth$astes->-+lidesho"->-*hy@./0ral@./,ygiene@./(attersAi#--BrAbD()du
Dragon Breath
What4 A lot of times your sinuses, not your mouth, are to blame. 3nflamed nasal $assages caused by
allergies or a chronic infection can breed bad breath in t"o "ays. Iirst, a stuffy nose forces you to breathe
through your mouth, "hich dries u$ saliva that "ould other"ise kill the bacteria that causes bad breath.
Then there's $ost-nasal dri$4 (ucus slides do"n the back of your nose, onto the back of your tongue. This
slime feeds bacteria, "hich in turn breed volatile sulfur com$ounds, creating foul oral odor.
Solution4 Gargle "ith mouth"ash before bed instead of in the morning. :our mouth $roduces less salvia at
nightGand more bacteria, "hich means more sulfurous stink bombs. +"ish mouth"ash for J/ seconds,
targeting the back of the tongue by tilting your head back and breathing through your nose. 6reath still able
to kill small animals9 +ee an ear, nose, and throat s$ecialist, "ho can diagnose and treat sinus infections.
(To locate one, go to entnet.org and click on KIind an FNT.K!
<ead more at (en's ,ealth4 htt$4==""".menshealth.com=grooming=oral-hygiene9cm>mmc?:ahoo>,ealth->-
)@./To$@./Tooth$astes->-+lidesho"->-*hy@./0ral@./,ygiene@./(attersAi#--BrAb&E%v3
A Painless Bump
What4 No $ain doesn't mean no $roblem. +tick out your tongue and look for a "hite or red $atch, a yello"-
gray ulcer "ith a red halo, or a thickening of tissue. Fach can signal oral cancer.
Solution4 1all your dentist for a cancer screening if the bum$ doesn't disa$$ear "ithin B/ days.
<ead more at (en's ,ealth4 htt$4==""".menshealth.com=grooming=oral-hygiene9cm>mmc?:ahoo>,ealth->-
)@./To$@./Tooth$astes->-+lidesho"->-*hy@./0ral@./,ygiene@./(attersAi#--BrAbb5L//
Dark o !u""y Pat#hes
What4 These could be colonies of bacteria stained by coffee, tea, or tobacco.
Solution4 <emove them and sto$ further gro"th by using a tongue scra$er daily. +ee your doctor or dentist
for antibiotics to sto$ the infection.
<ead more at (en's ,ealth4 htt$4==""".menshealth.com=grooming=oral-hygiene9cm>mmc?:ahoo>,ealth->-
)@./To$@./Tooth$astes->-+lidesho"->-*hy@./0ral@./,ygiene@./(attersAi#--BrAbEvb22
$edness and Pain
What4 3f your tongue is as red as a cherry &o$sicle, it could be glossitisGa $ainful or s"ollen tongue. (ore
common in men than in "omen, it can be a sign of vitamin deficiency, infection, or even a food allergy.
+moking or drinking can also bring it on.
Solution4 +ee your doctor for a definitive diagnosis. ,e may $rescribe su$$lements, antibiotics, or allergy
meds to clear it u$.
<ead more at (en's ,ealth4 htt$4==""".menshealth.com=grooming=oral-hygiene9cm>mmc?:ahoo>,ealth->-
)@./To$@./Tooth$astes->-+lidesho"->-*hy@./0ral@./,ygiene@./(attersAi#--BrAbs1Dy5