One of the most reliable signs of the season starts popping up in grocery stores right around now: bags of fresh cranberries (and cans of the somewhat frighteningly jiggly, solid stuff) are everywhere. But cranberries shouldn't be just a one-day accompaniment to the big event: cranberries are among the most powerful and antioxidant-packed foods. Here are five reasons this pretty little berry deserves a spot on your table year-round:

• They fight bad bugs: We all know the old wives' tale about drinking cranberry juice to ward off persistent urinary tract infections. That's actually rooted in truth; they appear to have compounds that act as Teflon for our cells against harmful bacteria like staph or E. coli.

When it comes to asking questions about our va-jay-jays, few of us are keen to pipe up while lying with our feet in stirrups. That's why Dr. Lissa Rankin, an OB/GYN and founder of OwningPink.com, wrote her brand-new book What's Up Down There? Questions You'd Only Ask Your Gynecologist if She Was Your Best Friend.

She wanted to address questions women would probably only ask their OB/GYNs if they could hang out with them outside of the uptight, sterile doctor-patient environment. (You know, like at a neighborhood cafe, sipping a latte, wearing yoga pants.) As it turns out, most of us would rather have a Vagina Dialogue than a Monologue.

But, in case you're feeling shy, Lissa's got a few answers to tide you over before you invite your doc to spinning class. Here, five things that she knows about your vagina that you probably don't -- but really should.

Not kissing much lately?

I'm guilty of it too. Kissing for my husband and me these days is usually a peck on the lips when one of us leaves the house or gets home. Or we're at the other extreme. Passionate making out when we get to have one of our sex sessions that's not a quickie. Which isn't that often.

But that's bad. I like kissing. I really do. And I like kissing my husband. I really do. So why don't I do it more?

Maybe our kissing declined a few years ago when I had to start wearing both top and bottom retainers to bed, every night. Not conducive to making out. And in the morning? Well, retainer breath is nasty.

I've been blessed with two generally pleasant children. When either of them is grumpy or impossible, it's usually a sign that something is wrong. Which is how I was alerted to the arrival of the two-year molars with both kids. Baby Angry in the house!

The two-year molars (also known as the second molars) are the last baby teeth to come in -- usually somewhere between 18 months and 3 years of age. The symptoms are the same as they were when your baby was an infant: drooling, irritability, refusal to eat, and trouble sleeping. But sometimes, those toddler teeth cause much more misery.

Are you terrified of the dentist? A new dental device might provide you some relief: The hand-held Dental Button allows patients to press a button to immediately stop the dentist's drill to take a break from the pain or just calm the nerves. It's a panic button—but for the dentist's chair!

seeemoregirl

I have teeth on the brain lately because my 6 year old is on a roll. He lost his two bottom front teeth within a week of each other and now several on the top are also loose. He's hoping they'll all fall out together because he thinks he'll get to have milkshakes for breakfast, lunch and dinner until the new ones grow in.

I'm a little sad because the adult teeth are changing his baby smile. He's starting to look so grown-up now. Sometimes I wish he could keep his baby teeth forever.

But as soon as I say this ... I find out that some adults still do have their baby teeth! Not in a keepsake box, but in their mouths! Sometimes a few of the 20 primary teeth never fall out, and it's actually not a good thing. But apparently, it's pretty common because moms in Newcomer's were talking about their lingering baby teeth and all the unfortunate problems they have because of them. I guess I don't wish this on my child, after all.

We all know that dentists recommend flossing once a day for healthy teeth and gums.

But did you know that flossing at night is preferable to the morning in terms of optimal results? At least that's what my dentist told me last week when I went in for my 6-month check-up. Here's why...

Poll Results

Question: When do you floss?

Morning

11%

At night, before bed.

52%

Both morning and night.

15%

I don't floss.

15%

None of these (explain below)

7%

Total Votes: 27

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Poll

When do you floss?

Morning

At night, before bed.

Both morning and night.

I don't floss.

None of these (explain below)

Only CafeMom members can vote on polls.
Sign up for an account or Click here to log in.

Total Votes: 27

View Results

Photo by mediamom

Because I'm fairly thin and small-boned, my doctor says I'm at super risk for osteoporosis, the bone-degenerating disease that leads to curvature of the spine, hip issues and other structural problems. Being pretty young yet, that's not a word I expected to hear during a recent doctor visit. C'mon, that's something you talk about with old people! Right?

Nope. In fact, osteoporosis is often considered a young people's disease because it's caused by low bone mass in adolescence. So, that's when we all have to start preventing it!