Health

Women's Dental Health: Get a Movie Star Smile (on a Regular Person Budget)

You don't have to spend a ton of money to have a mouthful of beautiful, healthy teeth and a stunning smile -- these 11 tips prove it

by Audrey Fine

7 of 12

Floss Why all the hoopla about flossing? The ADA says that it "helps to remove plaque and food particles from between teeth and under the gum line where toothbrush bristles can't reach." There's also a ton of research suggesting that flossing can help to protect your heart and arteries by helping to keep the bacteria in your mouth from entering your bloodstream.

Dr. Apa doesn't beat around the bush saying, "Floss, baby, floss!" He tells patients to "buy whitening floss in rolls or picks" (try Supersmile Whitening Floss, $6.50 or Crest Oral-B Advantage Plus Scope Outlast Flavor Floss, $6.99) and "scatter them in all of your makeup bags and purses -- everywhere you carry a mirror!"

Not sure exactly how to floss correctly? The ADA says to "use about 18 inches of floss wound around one of your middle fingers, with the rest wound around the opposite middle finger" and to "hold the floss tightly between the thumbs and forefingers and gently insert it between the teeth." Dr. Smigel adds that it's important to "wrap the floss around each tooth in a 'C' shape and gently slide it under the gum line to the tip of the tooth."

SEE NEXT PAGE: Use whitening products

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products mentioned

Oral-B CrossAction Power Whitening Toothbrush

5.0

Breath RX Anti-Bacterial Mouth Rinse

7.0

Supersmile Whitening Floss

5.8

Oral-B Advantage Plus Scope Outlast Flavor Floss Picks

8.5

Crest Weekly Clean Intensive Cleaning Paste -...

0.0

Supersmile Ripple Edge Tongue Cleaner

4.0

Breath RX 3 Pack Tongue Scraper

6.7

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Older comments

I have dozens of floss packs scattered around the house! I'm actually going to dental school this fall. My roommates probably hate me because I'm constantly bugging them with facts about oral health and flossing!

by ashyray Thursday, March 21, 2013 at 07:34PM Report as inappropriate

awesome thanks

by LittleBunny Monday, January 21, 2013 at 10:48AM Report as inappropriate

Thanks

by EricaC123 Monday, December 31, 2012 at 03:06PM Report as inappropriate

Good tips, even though whiteners dont work for me.

by nicky22 Tuesday, October 9, 2012 at 08:36AM Report as inappropriate

Great tips that I need to work on.

by Ydabney Monday, July 30, 2012 at 08:02AM Report as inappropriate

good to keep in mind

by LittleBunny Tuesday, April 17, 2012 at 09:57AM Report as inappropriate

nothing new but good reminders

by sportimonki13 Friday, March 30, 2012 at 04:11PM Report as inappropriate

Being someone who had very bad teeth due to drinking soda, not having the funds to go to the dentist, and after having my braces turn my teeth yellow, I know how important your smile and teeth are to the outside world. People often look at your smile first and that usually means seeing your teeth, and they base a lot on how your teeth look. These tips are all wonderful but the best one is to go to the dentist regularly. It took 7 hours straight, in a dentist chair, having my 6 front teeth ground down to spikes, and then getting fitted for my temporary crowns. This took $12000 to fix and when all was said and done, it took 16 hours of fear, pain, and tears just to get my 6 front teeth looking presentable. Go to the dentist!

by powerwoman033 Friday, March 23, 2012 at 12:53PM Report as inappropriate

interesting article.

by lazorc Sunday, March 18, 2012 at 07:20PM Report as inappropriate

Nice tips. It adds wow factors to your make-up too!

by heartMashimaro Monday, March 5, 2012 at 02:55AM Report as inappropriate