Sweet Tooth!!!!

Make Your New Smile Results Last Longer!!

Make Your New Smile Results Last Longer

Posted Tuesday, February 14, 2012 by Shellie Terry Benson, Editor

So you've put in the time and gone through the trouble of dramatically improving your smile. Whether you've had veneers applied or simply had your teeth whitened, now's the time to practice smart dental habits to ensure the procedures you've undergone last as long as possible. Here are some top tips to keep your new smile looking great:

Veneers
- Don't use your teeth as tools and use care when biting into hard foods as you can damage your veneers--the thin, porcelain restorations that are adhered to your natural teeth to fix discoloration, spacing or alignment issues.

- Opt for toothpaste that's designed for cosmetic enhancements, but don't waste your money on bleaching products since veneers cannot be bleached.

- Up your dental visits to three times a year and continue flossing regularly to maintain healthy gums.

Bonding
- If you've cracked a tooth or want to fill gaps, your dentist can add to your natural teeth with bonding. But keep in mind the putty-like resin can, indeed, chip again, so be sure to only use your teeth for eating and not as tools.

- Since bonding uses resin instead of porcelain, it is more apt to stain. Avoid highly-pigmented foods and drinks like soda, red wine, berries and coffee, or if you consume them, drink a glass of water or two afterward.

Bleaching
- Immediately after your bleach treatment, the product continues to work while the enamel in your teeth returns to normal. During these first few days, you may want to stick to eating only white-colored foods. Be sure to ditch your old bad habits for good, especially smoking.

- Opt for a professional-grade whitening toothpaste like Supersmile Professional Whitening System, formulated to keep your smile white without harsh ingredients that weaken enamel.

- If your teeth are sensitive after bleaching, use a mouthwash or toothpaste that has calcium in it to help harden the enamel.

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

A Laugh is a Smile that Bursts!

The World Looks Brighter From Behind a Smile!!

Safe and Healthy Super Bowl!!

Have a Safe and Healthy Super Bowl Celebration

Whether you are having or going to a party, these tips provide a Healthy Game Plan for Super Bowl Sunday.

As you plan Super bowl festivities make sure to keep health and safety in mind during your celebrations.

Eat healthy

Hosting the party? Avoid a false start with fattening foods. Add healthy snacks to your menu instead of high fat foods, or go for the super bowl trophy by serving all healthy snacks. Eat healthy snacks before the celebration to prevent overindulging.

• Include fresh fruits and vegetables, such as apple halves or carrot sticks. There should be a variety in season.
• Avoid the blind side; many dips and dressings contain far more calories than you think. Limit portions or serve fat-free or low-fat dips and dressings.
• Offer foods and beverages low in fat, calories, sugars, salt, and sodium.
• Serve foods and beverages that can be consumed by people with diabetes or on special diets.

Get Smart: Entertaining [PDF - 435KB]
Fruits and Veggies Matter
Nutrition Topics
Diabetes and Me: Eat Right

Consider food safety

As you prepare game day meals and snacks, take steps to avoid serving recalled products and follow food safety guidelines to prevent illness.

• Visit the Food Safety website for information on product recalls.
• Follow the Four Rules of Food Safety: Clean, Separate, Cook, Chill.

FoodSafety.gov
Be Food Safe

Limit alcohol

Don't get a penalty for drinking and driving. Take steps to make sure you and other guests you celebrate with avoid driving under the influence of alcohol.

• Plan ahead. Always designate a non-drinking driver before any party or celebration begins.
• Don't drink and drive or let others drink and drive.
• Be a helpful host by reminding your guests to designate a sober driver and offer alcohol-free beverages.

Alcohol is common during sports celebrations, but be mindful that for pregnant women, consuming alcohol can cause babies to be born with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), a lifelong condition that causes physical and mental disabilities.
Alcohol: Frequently Asked Questions
Vital Signs: Binge Drinking
Drinking and Driving: A Threat to Everyone
Quick Stats: Binge Drinking
Fetal Alcohol Information

Get physical activity

Score a first down by adding games that include physical activity. Physical activity doesn't need to be hard to be beneficial. Be active for at least 2½ hours a week. Include activities that raise your breathing and heart rates, and that strengthen your muscles.

• Dance along with the music during half time or put on your own half-time show.
• Toss the football around during commercial breaks.
• Lift hand weights, stretch, or use a stationary bicycle or treadmill while watching television.

How Much Physical Activity Do You Need?
Physical Activity

Stay warm

If it's going to be cold, take these steps to stay warm on game day.

• If you are tailgating or celebrating outdoors, dress warmly and wear loose-fitting, layered clothes.
• Outer garments should be tightly woven and water-repellent.
• Drink warm liquids that do not contain caffeine or alcohol. Alcoholic drinks cause your body to lose heat more quickly.
• Keep heat sources at least 3 feet away from furniture and drapes.

Extreme Cold: A Prevention Guide
Winter Storm Facts

Stay safe

Parties and tailgating can be fun, but it's important to pay close attention to things that may cause injury and take precautions. Injuries, both unintentional and those caused by acts of violence, are among the top ten killers for Americans of all ages. Injuries can cause pain and inconvenience, and even lead to disability, chronic pain, and death.

• Never leave children unattended.
• Avoid wearing clothing or costumes that block your vision or restrict your movement.
• Make sure your pets can handle the excitement before placing them in new or strange situations.
• Never use generators, grills, camp stoves, or other gasoline, propane, natural gas, or charcoal-burning devices inside your home, basement, garage, or camper. Even when using these items outdoors, make sure they are not near an open window.
• Have a fire extinguisher nearby when cooking or using a grill in case there's an accidental flare-up.
• Have a first-aid kit in your home and vehicle to handle injuries like small cuts and bruises.
• Wear seatbelts.
• Wear appropriate protective gear when playing a pick-up game or riding bicycles, motorcycles, and skateboards.

Handwashing: Clean Hands Save Lives
Healthy Pets, Healthy People
Intimate Partner Violence Prevention
Take Concussions out of Play: Learn to Prevent, Recognize, and Respond to Concussions

Enjoy the game!

This content and healthy super bowl recipes are available at http://www.cdc.gov/men/superbowl/.