Want a Sexy Mouth?

There is nothing sexier than a confident kisser, however the anticipation of the traditional New Year’s kiss can spawn fear into the hearts of mighty men and women alike due to…poor oral hygiene.  Fear not young lovers, for I have powerful, eco-friendly stuff you can add to your “get your sexy kiss on” arsenal!

Of course there are those of you that, despite tradition and the fact that it just plain feels good, will refuse to partake because perhaps you just don’t get the whole New Year’s kiss phenomenon.  Legend has it that kissing your ‘someone special’ on New Year’s Eve will almost guarantee that you’ll be lip locking him or her throughout the New Year.  Or maybe you want the supposed bad luck destined to befall you should you refuse?  Okay, so maybe that’s just folklore, but whether or not you decide to engage in the ritual, you can’t deny that good oral hygiene is extremely important and should be taken seriously year round.

As if the kissing video wasn’t enough to convince you, studies have shown that the icky, nasty, inflammatory, gingivitis bacteria, if left unchecked, can leak into your bloodstream and find its way to your heart, where it could quite possibly be a contributing factor in heart disease.

So, I’m going to give you the skinny on my daily, or rather mostly daily, oral habits.

Your first consideration should be proper tools.

Preserve

1. The toothbrush. It’s important to choose one that feels good in your grip with bristles that are not too harsh, although your dentist should guide you, most dentists recommend bristles that are soft to medium.  My static toothbrush of choice is made by Preserve, (www.preserve.com) $2.79.  These eco-friendly toothbrushes are made from recycled yogurt cups, have tiered bristles for thorough cleaning, are BPA free, and completely recyclable after use. Way cool!  I originally thought the curved handle was a bit weird, but it really does help reach all the nooks and crannies.  Get a pack of 6 (on sale for $16.14) for the whole family from Amazon.com, or find at your local Whole Foods.

Philips

Most days however, I use my Philips Sonic Toothbrush, (www.philips.com).  I was turned onto it about a month ago by a friend who described it as an orgasm for your mouth, so of course I had to try one.  He was right!  Although the original version is a bit pricey at $144.99, I found the Sonicare Xtreme battery operated toothbrush at Walgreens for $29.99.  It works just fine for me, and I love that I can use rechargable batteries.

Jason

2. Toothpaste. Personally, I require a toothpaste that provides relief for my sensitive teeth and gums but doesn’t contain a bunch of chemicals and stuff I don’t need.  I found that Jason’s Oral Comfort Plus CoQ10 Gel Toothpaste, (www.jason-natural.com) works for me.  It is fluoride-free and contains Aloe Vera, anti-bacterial Perilla Seed Extract that helps block sugar acids that form tartar, and unlike other toothpastes that use harsh abrasives to whiten, it contains natural whiteners like Bamboo powder, silica, and calcium carbonate. And because I know you were wondering, CoQ10 is a coenzyme essential in the healing and rebuilding of cell tissue and provides the necessary energy needed for gum tissue to defend and rebuild itself. Plus it has a very nice minty flavor that is not medicine-y like other natural toothpastes I’ve tried.

My next recommendation isn’t necessarily eco-friendly, but hey, I’m not perfect.  My dentist recommends that I use Sensodyne Pronamel because of a few, ahem…cavities this year.  It contains ingredients that harden enamel to protect it from erosion caused by acidic food and drink, fluoride, potassium nitrate to relieve sensitive teeth, and it is free of sodium lauryl sulfate, a harsh detergent and ingredient dentists say can irritate the gums and mouth, and possibly contribute to painful canker sores.  Owee!

The next must have in your good oral health regimen…

Radius

3. Dental Floss. Plaque is bad mojo.  This sticky gunk, when left on teeth, forms tartar.  It is considered the major source of bad mouth mojo in that these pathogens, fancy word for yuck-mouth nasties, cause gingivitis, a mild form of periodontal disease.  A surefire way to stay on top of plaque buildup is regular visits to your dentist, daily brushing, and flossing after every meal.  Two natural options to try are Radius Natural Silk Floss, (www.radiustoothbrush.com) spun in natural beeswax that aids in sliding through tight spaces.  Or Radius Cranberry Coated Floss, natural silk floss coated with pure unsweetened cranberry essence, which is removed during flossing and deposited on the gums to help break up plaque. Radius reports that “Research has shown that the proanthocyanidins present in cranberry essence are effective in reversing and inhibiting the clumping of bacteria that cause plaque and subsequently may help in maintaining good oral hygiene.”  I’ve not personally tried the cranberry version, I wonder if it actually tastes like cranberry.  Anybody?  Find both at your local Whole Foods or at Radius ($3.95) online.

Waterpik

Now, to be completely honest, sometimes I just don’t feel like being bothered with flossing.  No real good reason, just…well, because.  I told my dentist that once, and after she finished laughing she suggested that I try using a Waterpik on those occasions.  I opted for the inexpensive Cordless Dental Water Jet, one charge lasts a whole week or more!  It took a little finessing the first time I used it as I kept squirting myself in the eye and giving the whole bathroom a spritz.  FYI, close mouth and lean over sink when using Waterpik.  Find at Target and Waterpik for $34.99, Walgreens for $33.99, or on sale for $30.98 at Amazon.com.

Finally…

The Natural Dentist

4. Mouth Rinse.  This last one came as a battle of wills in my household.  We’ve been through several, but there is one that stands above all others in my book.  The Natural Dentist Mouth Rinse, (www.thenaturaldentist.com) does not contain alcohol, artificial ingredients, or foam building Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (see comment above).  It’s packed with cleansing Echinacea, Goldenseal, Grapefruit Seed Extract, soothing ingredients Aloe Vera Gel and Calendula, and Chlorophyll for additional breath freshening power.  I didn’t know until I started research for this article that is was selected as an “Oprah’s Best” #1 Mouth Rinse.  All that aside, it works!  It finds whatever yuckies are left over from flossing and gets them gone!  My personal flavor choice is Peppermint Twist which leaves my mouth feeling fresh and minty.  Be sure to check out their FAQ’s page. It contains a wealth of information about their products and general dental care.  Click here to download a $1 OFF coupon.  Find at local CVS stores, Walgreens, or on sale for $6.79 at Amazon.com.

So, now that I’ve given you all the good oral ammo you need, you will be well prepared for your mission, the New Year’s Eve kiss!  Provided you have someone to kiss of course.  That, young grasshopper, is NOT something I can help you with.

See you in the New Year!

Resources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kissing_traditions

http://ezinearticles.com/?The-History-of-New-Years-Resolutions&id=245213

http://www.snopes.com/holidays/newyears/beliefs.asp

http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/Research/ResearchResults/ScienceBriefs/Archive/SIB2006/May/SIB05182006.htm

http://www.oryza.co.jp/html/english/pdf/oral2.pdf

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dental/DE00001

http://www.womenshealth.gov/FAQ/oral-health.cfm#b

http://www.consumersearch.com/toothpaste/sensodyne-pronamel

http://www.houseofnutrition.com/078522015352.html

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/coenzyme-q10/NS_patient-coenzymeq10

*Yes, all the Amazon links are affiliate links.  If you find a use for any of the Amazon linked products I hope that you will support all my strenuous efforts to find the lowest prices for you.