Brushing your teeth is a task some people tend to overlook. The American Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth two times a day, usually morning and night. Brushing your teeth should take a total of two minutes with a fluoride toothpaste, followed by at least 30 seconds of mouth wash. Brushing and using mouthwash is the most effective way to keep your teeth healthy.
The act of brushing your teeth removes any plaque or tartar build-up accumulated on your teeth throughout the day. Many sugary substances such as soda or candy, aid in tooth decay in the presence of plaque. The plaque bonds with the sugars in your diet to create a bacteria that attacks the enamel on your teeth. Over time, this weakens your tooth enamel making way for gingivitis and gum disease.
When to brush your teeth is a dilemma for some. Brushing before your morning cup of coffee can render the coffee with an unpleasant taste. While brushing is important, eating breakfast before brushing can actually prove more beneficial than brushing before you eat or drink, as this will remove any food particles that may otherwise harbor in your mouth throughout the day. Brushing just before bed is the perfect time to do your second daily cleaning. Bad bacteria is present in your mouth overnight that is not active during the day. Refusal to brush before bed means the bad bacteria already there now has food to breed and spread across your gum line, leading to more oral health problems.
If you have a medical condition that makes brushing hard for you, consider an electric toothbrush, or a sonic brush. An electric toothbrush will aid in the back and forth movement needed to clean your teeth while a sonic brush literally does all the work for you. After applying toothpaste and inserting the sonic brush around your teeth, simply close your mouth and turn on the device and it will rid your mouth of 98% of food particles and plaque.
Aside from brushing and mouth wash, you can take other steps to aid in the health of your teeth. Flossing daily, avoiding a diet high in sugar, drinking plenty of water, and replacing your toothbrush every four to six months, are all ways to increase your oral health.
For more information contact our experienced dentist in Houston!
