You've heard it since probably since you were old enough to understand what your parents were talking about - that properly brusing your teeth (ideally twice per day) will go a long way towards maintaining healthy teeth and gums. A good brushing routine will also help prevent peridontal (gum, in plain English) diseases. However, it's important that you select the correct toothbrush for your personal needs and your teeth. In addition to having the right toothbrush, you'll need to be using the correct brushing techniques for maximum effectiveness. If you do this right - brush twice per day, using the right brush, and right techniques, it will go a long way to towards helping to ensure that long-term, you have good dental health. Doctors from the American Dental Association say that one of the biggest issues with brushing it time. That is, most people, even those who brush regularly, just don't give the process enough time. It's important to not rush through the process. It's recommended that three minutes or so is the right amount of time to brushing your teeth. In order to help with this, some modern, electric toothbrushes come with a timer that is built-in, so that the toothbrush shuts off when done. If you don't have one of these toothbrushes, then you might want to consider getting a timer, or using your phone. Most phones have a timer or stopwatch built into them. If yours does not, try looking the application store for your phone to see what you can find - many of them are free. When it comes to purchasing the correct toothbrush, be sure you have all the facts! Back in the ancient days, it was common for people to use small twigs to clean their teeth, and the Egyptians used ivory blades to scrape the tongue clean. Fortunately for us today, we have a wide variety of manual and battery powered options. Because the first step in taking good care of your teeth, gums and oral health is proper brushing, make sure you choose the right toothbrush for you and your needs. When choosing a tooth brush to meet your needs, a good place to start is to check and make sure that you see the ADA seal of approval on the box. This tells you that the brush meets requirements as set forth by the ADA. It's also a good idea to find a brush that will fit comfortably in one's hand, and in the mouth. The idea being, that if you have a toothbrush that is comfortable to hold and use, you'll use more often, and effectively. When choosing a brush, pick on that has bristles that are on the softer side, rather than the harder. Make sure it's easy to use - be it a manually operated or battery powered one. After your search for the perfect toothbrush is completed, make sure that you brush using correct methods, at least twice per day, so that you can maintain good oral health and keep gum disease at bay. Here are some tips on getting the most out of a daily brushing routine: While some experts recommend brushing after every meal, it's usually enough to brush twice per day; once in the morning and once in the afternoon Give yourself enough time to do this task. Most dentists recommend three minutes - that's 1.5 minutes on the lower teeth, 1.5 on the uppers. Use a timer if necessary, or an electric toothbrush with a built-in timer When going along the gum line, angle the toothbrush slightly towards the gums Don't brush too harshly - it's best to use a gentle stroke to help avoid damage to the gums Using a toothpaste that contains fluoride will help keep tooth decay at bay Be thorough - the goal is to clean the surface area of every tooth in your mouth When you're done with the teeth, brush your tongue to that bacteria that cause bad breath are scraped off Always use a clean toothbrush - and rinse it off after each use. It's also a good idea to use a small amount of hand soap on the bristles from time to time. It's also a good idea to look at UV light that can disinfect your brush after each use. Don't use the same brush too long - it's recommended that you replace the brush or brush head (for electric) every three to four months If you are in doubt about the correct toothbrush or your technique, make an appointment to see your dentist to become education on proper brush selection and technique. If you really want to learn more about how to properly brush your teeth, ask the experts! The next time you go to your dentist for a regular check-up, have the dentist or the hygienist demonstrate the proper method. Of course, if you are having dental concerns, make an appointment to see your dentist for a professional opinion. While all of these tips and suggestions are good to know about, it's not enough to simply brush your teeth. Be sure that you regularly floss each day, along with brushing and regular checkups with your dentist. The importance of flossing should not be overlooked – it’s the other half of the equation to brushing. They how and why of flossing will be discussed in another blog post.
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