Greetings! Spring has sprung and the April showers have brought us our May flowers. May also brings us “Dance Like a Chicken Day.” That’s May 14 for those who didn’t know that. All ‘ya gotta do is dance like a chicken. 
Now for some important facts. Teeth are necessary evils, and the care, feeding and upkeep of those small calcified whitish structures in our jaws requires some knowledge, so I am going to present you with 20 facts and tips about your pearly whites.
1. If you don’t floss, you miss cleaning 35 percent of your tooth surfaces.
2. Most tooth loss in people over age 35 is from periodontal disease.
3. Certain cheeses, including aged cheddar, Swiss and Monterey jack, have been found to protect teeth from decay.
4. Most children are brought to the dentist for their first visit at the age of 3 (but children should be visiting the dentist at age 1).
5. A tooth that has been knocked out starts to die within 15 minutes, but if a person puts it in milk or holds it in his mouth it will survive longer. See a dentist ASAP.
6. Clean teeth and regular dental cleanings can help prevent heart attacks.
7. U.S. and Japanese studies have found that black or green tea has antibacterial powers that help prevent cavities and gum disease.
8. Most tooth loss in people under 35 years of age is caused by athletic trauma, fights or accidents while the major loss for teeth for those over age 35 is from periodontal disease.
9. Dark chocolate contains less sugar than other varieties and can actually prevent tooth decay due to the fact that the cocoa beans contain tannins, polyphenols and flavonoids, which are strong antioxidants.
10. It’s no secret that drinking too many sugary sodas can breed cavities. What’s less well-known is that acids found in carbonated soft drinks (even Diet Coke and Diet Pepsi) appear to harm teeth even more than the sugar by eroding your enamel.
11. Sugar-free gum helps clean teeth by stimulating the production of saliva. Saliva is nature’s way of washing away acids produced by the bacteria in your mouth, and it also bathes the teeth in bone-stenghthening calcium and phosphate.
12. Strawberries combined with baking soda is a natural tooth-cleanser, buffing away stains from wine, coffee and dark sodas. Crush the strawberry to a pulp, then mix with the baking soda until blended. Use a soft tooth brush to spread the mixture onto your teeth. Leave on for five minutes, then brush thoroughly with toothpaste to remove the berry-baking soda mix. Rinse and floss. While this is no replacement for a bleaching treatment at your dentist’s office, it is a fast and cheap way to brighten your smile. Be careful not to use this too often though, as the acid could damage the enamel on your teeth.
13. Brushing at the wrong time after consuming high-acid food or drinks, like wine, coffee, citrus fruits and soft drinks, can cause damage. Rinse with water to neutralize the acids, but wait an hour before reaching for the toothpaste. Brushing teeth immediately after drinking carbonated drinks and acidic foods can cause erosion of your enamel.
14. Nail biting is one of the major cause for teeth mal-alignment and crowding.
15. The airborne particles from a flush can travel up to a distance of 6 feet, so do not brush or store your toothbrush within 6 feet of a toilet.
16. Be sure to cap your toothpaste, not your toothbrush. Covering the brush can trap moisture and encourage bacteria growth.
17. Replace your toothbrush every 2-3 months or sooner if the bristles become worn or frayed.
18. Clean your tongue. Use a tongue scraper every morning to remove tongue plaque and freshen your breath. One major cause of bad breath is the buildup of bacteria on the tongue. The use of a tongue scraper is more effective than brushing your tongue with a toothbrush.
19. One for the ladies. Conceal with color by choosing a medium coral or light red lipstick. These colors make your teeth look whiter, whereas lighter-colored lipsticks tend to bring out the yellow in teeth.
20. Last, but not least, in Vermont it is illegal for a woman to wear false teeth without the written permission of her husband. Thank God we live in the great state of Maine that was discovered by the Vikings more than 1,000 years ago. (My ancestry is from the land of the Vikings, so it was hard not to slip that one in.) 
It’s hard to be humble when you are Norwegian! 
Talk to you next month.
Dr. Robert A. Weigand practices at Two Rivers Family Dentistry, 4 Bisbee St., Lisbon, and can be reached at (207) 353-8676.

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