How to Get a Great Smile with Tom's of Maine

First time at the dentist!

I talk about all different angles of nutrition and health but don't often talk about a beautiful smile and teeth. My sister works in the dental field and I have nutrition knowledge and decided to share some information about what to eat and drink for a cavity-free and stain-free smile as well as what products to use (we have been loving Tom's of Maine toothpaste).

Homemade ice cream, I love you- but not everyday!

1. Limit sugar

I am not a dentist but with my background as a dietitian, I learned long ago about what foods are okay for your teeth and which are not. Sugar is hard on your teeth and can increase your risk of cavities. A huge culprit that many people do not realize is drinking beverages that contain sugar (or acid). When you sip on pop all day long, you are constantly exposing your poor teeth to sugar. Foods that are high in carbohydrate, sugar and starch can increase the amount of plaque acids on your teeth that attack the tooth enamel which can cause the enamel to break down and cause a cavity.

Sip mostly water or unsweetened beverages such as tea. For my 3 year old, I tell her that too much sugar makes us feel junky and that the "sugar bugs" hurt our teeth. We do some sweet treats but try to limit them.

2. Floss daily

I have trouble remembering to floss each day but it really is important. It is amazing how if you do not floss for awhile, there is a lot of buildup between your teeth- yuck! Floss everyday!

3. Visit a dentist twice a year

You should be getting your teeth cleaned twice per year. Adalyn recently even got to start visiting the dentist and she loved it! I built her up ahead of time telling her that she gets to open her mouth really wide and get her teeth cleaned- worked like a charm! You may get x-rays, they can see if you have any cavities, give fluoride treatments and of course, clean your teeth.

This Kale Salad with Pomegranate, Apples and Cheddar has three of the foods that the ADA says is good for your teeth.

4. Eat foods that are better for your teeth

According to the American Dental Association, these foods can actually help to lower your risk of tooth decay: cheese, yogurt, leafy greens, apples, celery, carrots and almonds. Besides being good for your teeth, they are also overall nutritious foods that are good for many other reasons.

5. Brush twice a day

I always brush my teeth at least twice-a-day- in the morning and before bed. Usually, I brush them at least one other time as well mid-day. I like the Tom's of Maine Luminous White Toothpaste which helps to whiten your teeth in two weeks by removing surface stains and it uses only 100% naturally derived ingredients. Since Adalyn started brushing her teeth, she has been using Tom's of Maine Silly Strawberry Children's Toothpaste and now I have started using Tom's of Maine also.


I like using a whitening toothpaste to keep my smile as white as it can be. This toothpaste offers a safe, effective whitening process using two kinds of high cleaning silica to remove stains. It is safe on enamel and safe for everyday use and has no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. You can purchase it at Amazon.


I really loved how minty this toothpaste was and it left my mouth feeling very fresh for quite awhile after I brushed my teeth.