Hollywood Trender: Dr. Layliev recommends Dentisse for enamel preservation

By April MacIntyre Jan 16, 2011, 22:59 GMT

According to Dr. Emanuel Layliev of the New York Center for Cosmetic Dentistry, in order to protect our smiles, it is best to avoid alcohol based rises, colored rinses and excess fluoride containing rinses, as well as toothpastes that contain abrasive elements such as baking soda.

In Monsters and Critics' ongoing series of what the celebrities and the people who make them gorgeous actually use on sets, I came across Dentisse, a new line of oral care that many stars and their handlers are using because they have veneers, whitened and sensitive teeth, and they want to preserve their expensive investment.

A picture perfect smile has to be cultivated and maintained, as many people are whitening, bonding and having veneers applied.  You now have to be extra mindful of your everyday dental hygiene products are abrasive and can actually ruin teeth and an applied cosmetic enamel finishes.

According to Dr. Emanuel Layliev of the New York Center for Cosmetic Dentistry, in order to protect our smiles, it is best to avoid alcohol based rises, colored rinses and excess fluoride containing rinses, as well as toothpastes that contain abrasive elements such as baking soda.

Dr. Layliev recommends Dentisse Natural Reflection Toothpaste and Natural Reflection rinse to protect and brighten our smiles. The rinse is an alcohol-free rinse that contains aloe vera and doesn’t burn or dry. The toothpaste is a clay-based paste that smoothes, polishes and whitens without any being abrasive to the teeth.

Monsters and Critics spoke with Dr. Layliev and had a few questions.

Monsters & Critics:   Listerine is not safe for teeth? What about the rinses that whiten like Rembrandt?  Please elaborate on what you mean by "ruining" teeth.

Dr. Layliev   Listerine and other alcohol containing mouth rinses may feel therapeutic when rinsing because of the burning sensation on our oral tissue lining, but actually harm the tissue when used on a continuous basis. If used, it should be diluted with water to lessen the trauma.

However, there are rinses available that don't contain alcohol and serve antiseptically enough.

One new to the market that I highly recommend is Dentisse, a rinse that's alcohol-free and clear with ingredients that sooth and refresh naturally. In addition, alcohol containing rinses can dry out the integrity of certain restorations/fillings such as composite bondings, sealants and antisensitivity coated liners. Over time, the seal of the material may deteriorate and lead to staining, chipping and wear.

Whitening rinses don't actually whiten teeth because in order to whiten there should be enough contact time with teeth, not just 30 seconds to a minute, and to rinse longer is not recommended.

M&C:  What are some ways people can safeguard the finish and gloss of the enamel on their teeth? Are there foods to avoid at all costs?

Dr. Layliev  To avoid abrasive sources such as certain toothpastes that may scratch the outer lining of teeth such as enamel, cementum and even dentin, if recessed and exposed enough.

To avoid brushing aggressively and to not use a hard and medium brisstled toothbrush head - softer strokes are best over two minutes. Over time, one ages and shows a smoother finish to their enamel and worn edges, indicative of old age. A textured surface represents youth.

A toothpaste I recommend is also by Dentisse, one that serves to polish away stain without being abrasive. Pastes that contain abrasive elements and baking soda, tartar control, peroxide, whitening, may be harmful for they may abrade. This may lead to tooth sensitivity too.

Foods to avoid? Those that are hard and crunchy which could lead to chipping and wearing of teeth. Acidic foods and beverages that would erode teeth, especially if one has gum recession where softer cementum and dentin can wear faster.  Rinses with baking soda are helpful here to neutralize the acids - Dentisee rinse has baking soda - not to be confused with baking soda in a paste that's abrasive and not advised. Foods and beverages that are colored over time will darken teeth - best to reverse that with bleaching within a dental office for best results. Foods high in sugar to be avoided which leads to a higher prevalence of cavities and other forms of problems.

April MacIntyre is Monsters and Critics' smallscreen and people/celebrity editor who loves to snoop around in makeup trailers when she can. You can follow her on Twitter.