Healthy teeth and gums are the foundation of a healthy, beautiful smile — and almost all of that work happens at home, between visits. What you do in the two minutes you spend brushing, and whether you floss at all, matters more to your long-term oral health than anything we do in the chair twice a year. Here is what an effective daily routine actually looks like.
Plaque
The mouth is full of living bacteria, some of which feed and thrive on carbohydrates and sugary drinks. These can release acids mixed with saliva and food particles to create a sticky bacterial film (plaque). As plaque builds up, it attacks and weakens tooth enamel, working its way through the softer dentin and tooth pulp below it to create decay and cavities.
Teeth with extensive decay often require a root canal treatment to save the tooth from the severe infection that has taken root. A root canal removes the bad bacteria and dead tissue that might otherwise require extracting the tooth.
What Are the Signs You Might Need a Root Canal?
– Tooth pain or pain when chewing
– Sensitivity to hot and cold food and drinks
– Sensitive gums
– Gum infection
– Darkened or chipped teeth
– Swollen lymph nodes
– Oral trauma
What You Can Do
Did you know that the first known bristle toothbrush was invented in China in 1498? Unlike the smooth nylon-bristled brushes we use today, the original toothbrush used boar hairs attached to bamboo or bone handles. We don’t know about you, but we’re grateful for today’s toothbrushes!
To prevent damaged teeth, you’ll want to start by protecting your mouth from plaque. For example, drinks like soda, fruit juices, sports drinks, carbonated water and other acidic and sweetened beverages are pretty much a lifeline for oral bacteria that attach your teeth. To lessen plaque, limit these beverages, and when you drink them, use a straw to reduce contact on tooth enamel. Better choices include water, milk, low-sugar vegetable juice, and unsweetened green and black tea.
This year’s National Dental Hygiene Awareness Month focuses on four habits you need to practice daily:
Brush
Brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes each session with a soft-bristled toothbrush (no boars hair!). You want to gently clean them without harming the enamel or soft gum tissues. Make sure the head and shape of the brush fit comfortable in your mouth so you can get to the back areas to remove bacteria and food particles. Hold your brush at a 45-degree angle to your gums. Using short strokes, move your toothbrush back and forth to clean all tooth surfaces – outside, inside and the top of the molars – where the food is chewed. Make sure to clean those grooves and crevices. Use up-and-down-strokes to clean the inside of your front teeth.
Tip: Don’t forget to brush your tongue to get rid of plaque and freshen your breath.
Floss
Clean between your teeth once a day using a flossing tool of choice (one that makes you want to floss every day) to get rid of dental plaque your toothbrush can’t reach. Plaque buildup will cause it to harden into tartar or calculus, which has to be removed by a dental hygienist using special tools.
Rinse
Some areas of the mouth can’t get rid of plaque by brushing and flossing alone. Rinsing with an antibacterial mouthwash daily destroys bacteria to prevent tooth decay and gum disease (infection of the oral tissue) from gaining hold. Your dentist can recommend a non-alcoholic antimicrobial rinse that is right for your needs.
Chew
Speaking of dry mouth, did you know that chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes after you eat lessens the chances of tooth decay? That’s because chewing stimulates saliva glands to promote healthy saliva flow. Your saliva plays a vital role by rinsing away food particles and bacterial debris and neutralizes the acids from oral bacteria.
This month is a good time to toss out your old worn-out toothbrush and find a flossing method you will enjoy using every day. You’ll also want to thank your dental hygienist the next time you see them for all their efforts to make your smile the best it can be!
How Long Should You Brush Your Teeth?
Two minutes, twice a day, with a fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled brush. Most people substantially overestimate how long they brush — the average is closer to 45 seconds. Use a timer or an electric brush with one built in. Technique matters as much as duration: angle the bristles about 45 degrees toward the gumline and use small circular motions rather than hard horizontal scrubbing, which drives gum recession and wears notches into the enamel at the gumline.
Is Flossing Really Necessary?
Yes. Brushing cleans roughly three of the five surfaces of each tooth — the two surfaces where teeth touch are unreachable by any brush. Those contact points are exactly where most cavities between teeth and most early gum disease begin. If traditional floss is awkward, floss picks, interdental brushes, or a water flosser all count; the important thing is that something cleans between the teeth once a day.
Should You Rinse With Water After Brushing?
No — and this is the single most common mistake in an otherwise good routine. Rinsing washes away the concentrated fluoride your toothpaste just left on the enamel, where it does its work over the following minutes. Spit out the excess and stop there. If you use a mouthwash, use it at a different time of day rather than straight after brushing.
How Often Should You Replace Your Toothbrush?
Every three to four months, or sooner if the bristles splay outward. Frayed bristles clean far less effectively. Replace your brush after any illness too, and never share one.