Adventures in Dental Care

You read that right. The brush-and-floss brigade has moved beyond the basics with new thinking, methods, and products that may just modernize your smile maintenance.

- By Meryl Davids Landau

It may seem as if oral health advice hasn't changed since you were a kid. And while it's true that brushing at least twice a day, flossing, and seeing the dentist every six months is still the mantra of mainstream dentistry, some innovations are worth your attention. Here, four trends to consider to keep you armed to the teeth against dental issues.

BEFRIENDING YOUR BUGS

We all know that bacteria live in our mouths-that's why products have long touted that they kill germs that cause cavities and stinky breath. But now experts are coming to understand that just as is true of the critters in our intestines, oral bacteria are not all bad. Rather, the environment in which these bacteria live influences whether they express themselves as good (probiotic) or bad (pathogenic). The focus is on promoting a balanced microbiome so all the organisms can work together.

The principle for your kisser is the same as for your gut: The bacteria that cause tooth decay can be beneficial in a balanced environment, says Gerry Curatola, D.D.S., an adjunct clinical associate professor at the New York University College of Dentistry and a dentist in private practice in New York City. After the gut, the oral microbiome is the next largest and most diverse in the body, with more than 700 species calling our mouths home.