subject: Tips For Proper Teeth Brushing And General Oral Care [print this page] You have been told since you were a little kid - brush your teeth twice a day - and while you're at it, remember to floss. Perhaps by now you've put that process on automatic, but family dental services providers have a few strategies for effective teeth brushing at all ages.
But first, why are good brushing and general oral hygiene so important, aside from having a clean, fresh tasting mouth for your sweetie? Here are a few more motivators:
Avoid gingivitis, an inflammatory condition affecting the gums, which can lead to tooth loss and infection. If left untreated, gum infections can even result in heart disease.
Eliminate plaque, which is a deposit of bacteria on the surface of the teeth.
Prevent cavities.
Perhaps the two most important minutes of your day are the minutes spent brushing your pearly whites. That's right - proper brushing requires two minutes, two times a day. Children are often advised to sing Happy Birthday twice or to use electric toothbrushes that play music. Singing your favorite rock anthem or using a timer can work for your adult self. Many electric toothbrushes have built-in electronic timers.
So, position your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle and lightly (no harsh scrubbing required - the truth is, excessive pressure can damage your gum area) brush your front and back teeth, in front and behind, using special care at the difficult to reach areas. If your mouth is host to any bridges or crowns, you may want to adjust your brushing to take proper care of them.
A great finishing grooming habit is to brush your tongue with your toothbrush or a specialty tongue scraper. This certainly freshens your mouth, but also helps to sweep out additional bacteria and food debris. And in the words of many a night time infomercial - "But wait, there's more!"
The more is flossing to get what the toothbrush misses. Tear off about 18 inches of this special tape and loop a three-inch portion around both your index fingers. Now, again, carefully, insert it in between each tooth and make your way through your entire mouth. Ensure both sides of all your teeth are flossed.
Your toothbrush should be somewhat soft and have a relatively small head to help you reach all the nooks and crannies of your mouth. A power toothbrush often makes it much simpler to get the job done right, especially for people with dexterity issues or people who typically brush their teeth too hard.
As for toothpaste, there is a plethora of choices, including special formulations for whitening, sensitive teeth, or treatment for early gingivitis. Your selection is best determined by a discussion with your dentist or hygienist.
Today's dental ads are peppered with buzzwords like cosmetic dentistry, sedation dentistry and sleep dentistry, and it's good to know these services are available, possibly from your family dentist. Here's another - do-it-yourself dentistry. The only tools you need are your trusty toothbrush and your fancy floss.
