Taking care of your smile

1. Before we begin, there are two essentials to keep in mind about brushing:
2. First: each tooth has five distinct sides; a toothbrush cleans only 3 of those 5 sides. The other two sides are where much of the destruction and disease (not to mention foul odours) originate: the inbetween areas. These remaining two sides require dental floss or tiny interdental brushes that can reach in between and under the contact points of the teeth. Gum disease is linked to life-threatening illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and premature low birth weight babies.
3. Second: It's not the toothpaste that "cleans" your teeth -- it's the mechanical action of the bristles in physical contact with the tooth surface that removes plaque (a living biofilm teeming with microorganisms that cause disease). You can do a magnificent job brushing your teeth using a dry brush and rinsing with water (although your teeth will not have the benefit of fluoride). So spend time moving the bristles - at and below the gumline - where it is most important to clean. You will have a better idea of what you're doing if you use a dry bristle brush. A minimum of two minutes with the brush is needed for effective cleaning. The toothpaste can go on after those two minutes, and you can have the advantage of fluoride, whitening, stain removal or whatever work better for you because it's applied to a nice clean surface.
4. NOW - on to the particulars:
5. Be sure your toothbrush has soft bristles (the package will tell you if they're soft). Remember that you'll need a new toothbrush every 3 months. Some toothbrushes come with bristles that change color when it's time to replace them. Don't worry about those whiz-bang toothbrushes -- cheap works just fine, as long as the bristles are soft.
6. Buy toothpaste that contains fluoride, which makes your teeth strong and protects them from cavities.
7. Understand that when you brush, you don't need a lot of toothpaste; just squeeze out a bit the size of a pea.
8. Brush at least twice a day: in the morning, after breakfast, you will tend to be in a hurry, so do a THOROUGH job in the evening, taking the time to use floss and interdental brushes for those important between-the-teeth areas. This comprehensive cleaning has to be done at least once in a 24 hour period to prevent future problems with gum disease. It is best to do this before you go to bed because your mouth does not have the same salivary protection when you are sleeping as it does during the day.
9. If you can, brush after lunch. Brushing during the day will reduce the damage caused by plaque byproducts and toxins.
10. Brush all of your teeth, and ALL SIDES of your teeth - - not just the front ones that show when you smile! Spend extra time on the back teeth along the gum line holding the bristles at a 45 degree angle pointing toward the gums.
11. Learn how to floss your teeth, which is the ONLY way to clean those all-important 'OTHER' 2 sides of the teeth, and the only way to assure yourself that you are doing what is necessary to prevent gum disease. Did you KNOW??? Flossing actually EXTENDS your life expectancy. Go to RealAge.com link title for more information. The reason for this is the strong connection between gum disease and other life-threatening illnesses. So by flossing, you are not only protecting your gums and teeth and preventing tooth loss, you are making a very important investment in your overall SYSTEMIC Health. It's all about quality of life! and you are worth the investment!
12. Find a fluoride mouthwash. A fluoride mouthwash is an excellent idea as it further helps to strengthen tooth enamel. Teach children between the age of 6 and 12 good rinsing skills to prevent swallowing. Rinse with the rinse once a day after brushing and do not eat or drink for 30 minutes
13. Use a tongue scraper! A tongue scraper is an important part of oral hygiene that will also work wonders with stale, smelly breath. Use it to remove the plaque on your tongue, which will freshen breath and presumably slow down the accumulation of plaque on your teeth. You should also use your toothbrush to clean your tongue - then follow with the scraper.
14. Use mouth wash. Follow directions on bottle.
15. Be careful about what you eat and drink. Sugar feeds the bacteria in your mouth, which then excrete substances that break down tooth enamel. Eat lots of vegetables, and drink water instead of soda or juice.
16. Visit the dentist twice a year and have a professional cleaning with a Registered Dental Hygienist. Be an "informed health care consumer" and pay attention to what is going on. Ask your dental hygienist what your probings are at each visit! (They should be between 1 mm and 3 mm deep.)
17. Most important: In addition to checking for signs of cavities or gum disease, the dentist and dental hygienist can give you feedback about how effective your plaque removal at home is, and more importantly help you learn the best way to brush and floss. You need to know how to prevent problems by having your skills evaluated. If you are not effective with flossing and brushing technique, you are only wasting your time while leaving the door open for infection and disease. How many times a day you brush & floss, or how long you spend brushing are all SECONDARY to your degree of skill using them. It all boils down to whether or not you can effectively reach and remove the adherent biofilm surrounding every one of your teeth, at and below the gumline. Ask your dental hygienist to watch your technique and work with you! That's what we're there for!