Toothpaste

My dentist is a popular guy — so popular, in fact, that when I called to schedule a cleaning, his snippy receptionist told me that there were no openings for four months. Great. So I've been trying to floss, Sonicare, and clean like crazy until I can find a new dentist (sorry, Dr. K). Another tool in my arsenal of postponed dentistry: Crest Weekly Intensive Cleaning Toothpaste ($4.49).

You know how when you get a cleaning, the dentist uses a slightly gritty paste that always leaves your teefs feeling smoother and glassier? This paste does a similar thing when used weekly. My teeth always feel much cleaner, and they tend to look a little brighter, too. It isn't a substitute for the six-month checkup, of course, but it's an affordable solution for yuck-mouth.

Instead of makeup, shampoos, or hair removal devices, for this week's Beauty Mark It Challenge we're talking teeth. I wanted to know which toothpastes got those pearlies all sparkly and which ones didn't freshen as nicely. Thanks to all of your reviewing efforts, and here are my favorites below:

• Elle 07 reviewed Crest Pro-Health Fluoride Toothpaste for Anticavity, Antigingivitis, and Sensitive Teeth ($4.29) — "This is my favorite toothpaste. Taste is minty, makes my teeth feel clean, and no problem with sensitivity. (Oh and my dad's a dentist.)"
• Nals33 liked Crest Pro-Health Night Fluoride Toothpaste ($4.29) — "When you use it at night, it feels like a normal toothpaste except for there's this smoothness to your teeth. I didn't pay much attention to it the first night I used it. But the next morning, I noticed that I still had that smoothness and clean-feeling mouth. Also, it definitely made my teeth whiter (though, not as much as with whitening strips), and it hasn't made my teeth sensitive. I will definitely be buying this toothpaste again."
• Righteothen said Peppermint Anticavity Fluoride Toothpaste by Tom's of Maine ($6.15) takes some getting used to — "This is not typical toothpaste. It's not as sweet, it doesn't foam as much, and the flavor is not as strong. The xylitol in this is the only sweetener, but it doesn't make you think 'sweet.' For those that think it doesn't taste as strong as your typical toothpaste, that is because it uses natural oils for the flavor, and those take a little to get used to. Once you are, it is quite flavorful."

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For this week's Beauty Mark It challenge, we're not talking makeup, hair products, or zit creams, for that matter. This time around it's all about your teeth.

When it comes to toothpaste, which ones make your teeth sparking clean and which ones leave your pearly whites feeling not so pearly . . . or white?

Just follow the link above and review this cleaning product to your heart's delight. I'll feature my three favorites here tomorrow. So, what are you waiting for? It's time to brusha, brusha, brusha.

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Remember that classic scene in Grease when Jan sings, "Brusha, brusha, brusha. Knock out decay germs fast!" in her most perfect beaver-esque voice? Well, for this week's Beauty Mark It challenge, we're doing something a little different.

Instead of makeup, hair products, or zit creams, this time we're talking teeth. Which toothpastes make your teeth sparking clean and which ones leave your pearly whites feeling not so pearly . . . or white?

Just follow the link above and review toothpaste to your heart's delight. I'll feature my favorites here next Tuesday. Oh, and if you're looking to get nostalgic, watch that famous clip from Grease when you read more

My daughter hates the taste of most toothpaste. She says even the mild, children's versions are "too spicy." In an effort to appease her and get her pearly whites clean, I turned the task into a lil science experiment and added a bit of baking soda to a splash of water and had her mix the slightly salty paste. Then, she dipped her toothbrush in it and went to work before spitting it down the sink. The results were clean teeth, a happy preschooler and an easy transition to a more natural brand of toothpaste.

Mr. Bella has been all up in my business lately. "You have to write about the toothpaste!" he keeps saying. "The toothpaste!" Lest you think he has a weird dental hygiene fetish, let me explain. He has fairly sensitive skin, and for the longest time, he used to get recurring acne right around his lips. So he did a little research and found out that sodium lauryl sulfate, a common ingredient in body-care products, is often irritating to skin. And after switching out his regular toothpaste for a SLS-free one, guess what? No more pimples.

If you have had similar problems with acne or irritation, you might want to try switching toothpastes. It may take a while to get used to them, simply because they aren't quite as fast to foam up. The flavors also might be less bold than what you're used to, but I find that after about a minute of brushing, they become more intense. Here are a few that might work for you.

Jason Sea Fresh Toothpaste ($5.49) is a vegan gel that's made with algae. I know it sounds gross at first, but its minty flavor is surprisingly enjoyable, and it gets teeth nice and clean. It doesn't have fluoride, though, so be sure to use a fluoride rinse to keep cavities at bay.

For two other options, read more

Q: My dog's teeth are pretty dirty looking, and his breath isn't so fresh either. I want to brush his teeth, but I'm not even sure where to start. Help!

A: You're not alone – dogs get plaque and tartar build-up too! Start with a meant-for-doggies toothbrush and toothpaste, like the KissAble version. Before you get started, consider your dog's temperament. If he doesn't seem to like (or is not used to) hands near his mouth, practice petting him close to it to get him acclimated. For North, I also put a little peanut butter on my finger for him to lick off – he couldn't resist! When he realized that my finger had a savory snack on it, he seemed much more interested when I put my hand near his mouth.

Next, I let him try some of the yummy-smelling, natural vanilla-flavored toothpaste off my finger. After that, he was ready for the real deal. Because he is a lil' guy, I held him on my lap – for bigger dogs, you can stand behind them and hold mouth (and upper lip) up. Always, brush teeth in a circular motion, making sure to hit all sides of each one... just like your own. I rewarded North with a bone-shaped Yip Yap Dog Mint... and he was good to go.

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It seems like just about every product having to do with your mouth shouts the word "whitening" all over it. Gums, toothpastes, mouthwashes, and whitening kits are available to make your pearly whites even whiter. Who doesn't want gleaming white teeth, right? The question is, how safe are these products?

When used as directed, these products are safe and cause minimal side effects. Although, common complaints do include tooth sensitivity and gum irritation.

Since teeth whiteners are not drugs, you should know that the FDA does NOT monitor them. Some products have the ADA (American Dental Association) Seal of Acceptance, which means that they have met ADA guidelines for safety and effectiveness. Only a few whitening products contain this seal, and manufacturers have to voluntarily seek acceptance.

However, only whitening toothpastes, mouthwashes and gum can receive this approval. You won't find whitening kits on their list since the ADA strongly feels that professional consultation is important to ensuring safe and effective use.

Just because a whitening product doesn't have the ADA Seal, doesn't mean it's necessarily unsafe. What things should you look for when buying an over the counter whitening kit? To find out read more