Tips For Proper Teeth Brushing And General Oral Care

You have heard it since you were a little kid - brush your teeth two times 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 some tips for successful teeth brushing at all ages.

But first, why are good brushing and general dental hygiene so important, aside from having a fresh, clean smelling mouth for your sweetheart? Here are some more motivators:

• Avoid gingivitis, an inflammatory condition of the gums, which can cause loss of teeth and infection. If left untreated, gum infections can even lead to heart disease.

• Remove plaque, a deposit of bacteria on the surface of your teeth.

• Prevent cavities.

Perhaps the most important two minutes of your day are the minutes spent brushing your teeth. That's right - proper brushing takes two minutes, twice a day. Children are often advised to sing Happy Birthday twice or to use electric toothbrushes that play music. Singing your favorite rock song or setting a timer can work for your adult self. Many electric toothbrushes have built-in timers.

So, place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle and gently (no heavy scrubbing necessary - in fact, excessive pressure can hurt your gum area) brush your front and back teeth, in front as well as behind, using special care at the difficult to reach areas. If your mouth is host to any crowns or bridges, 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 or food debris. And in the words of many a night time infomercial - "But wait, there's more!"

The more is flossing your teeth to get what the brush misses. Tear off about 18 inches of this special tape and loop a three-inch section 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 fairly soft and have a relatively small head to help you get to all the nooks and crannies in your mouth. An electric powered toothbrush often makes it easier to get the job done right, especially for individuals with dexterity issues or people who are in the habit of brushing their teeth too hard.

As far as toothpaste is concerned,, there's a world of choices, including special formulas for whitening, sensitive teeth, or treatment for early gingivitis. Your selection is best determined by a conversation with your dentist or hygienist.

Today's dental care ads are peppered with buzzwords like cosmetic dentistry, sedation dentistry and sleep dentistry, and it's helpful to know these services are available, possibly from your family dentist. Here's another - do-it-yourself dentistry. The only tools you will need are your trusty toothbrush and your fancy floss.

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