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Good Oral Hygiene - Do You Have What it Takes?
Good Oral Hygiene - Do You Have What it Takes?
Good oral hygiene has traditionally been attainable for some, while fleeting for others. Most of us have gotten that lesson in the mirror from mom or dad on how to brush properly, or perhaps from the dental hygienist or dentist in the clinic chair. However, the daily challenge is the commitment to properly cleaning our teeth and gums. What did that big toothbrush and plastic typodont really teach us? Let’s review and find out!
Many believe that having perfectly proportioned and gleaming white teeth is the key to having the perfect “Crest Commercial” smile. While that may be a piece of the deal, the other piece, often overlooked, is the health of the gums, or gingiva. The gums ideally want to be tight and stippled to hold up their end of the deal. There has to be a combination of healthy gums and teeth to bring out your inner “Hollywood”! Let’s see how to get them there.
Toothpaste
Any toothpaste, whether in paste or gel form, with Sodium Fluoride or Stannous Fluoride will do. Fluoride helps teeth fight tooth decay. Many toothpastes also have supplements such as hydrogen peroxide or baking soda for whitening and mouthwash products for killing germs. These are ok as well. Let’s start by establishing the proper amount of toothpaste to use on the brush. No, it’s not that swooping line of paste that the television commercial will show you. It doesn’t take that much!! Just place a large pea-sized amount on the brush and you’ll be ready to roll! Be sure to use a soft-bristled brush. It will be kinder to the teeth.
The Proper Motion
Next, let’s begin with the correct position. Holding your toothbrush at a slight angle, focus on where the gums and the tooth meet and begin brushing in circles. Small circles help lift food particles from the gingival sulcus, or that small pocket where the gum and tooth meet. Brush the outsides and insides of the teeth, and also brush the chewing surfaces, where the grooves are. Continue those circular motions all the way around the arch at a slow pace, being careful not to bear down too hard. Brushing too hard can wear your tooth enamel away. The enamel is the part of the tooth that you actually see in the mirror. Don’t forget to brush your tongue as well!
Brushing Time
So how long should your session be? Let’s take about one to two minutes. This ensures that each part of the mouth receives its fair attention and gets that Fluoride exposure. Be sure to get those hard-to-reach areas, like behind the last teeth in the back and the tongue going towards your throat. Brushing your tongue can help keep your breath fresh and fight fungal growth as well. In general, the longer you expose your teeth to Fluoride, the more effective it will be in fighting tooth decay. So take your time. Rinse and expectorate, and try not to eat or drink directly afterwards. Enjoy that clean feeling.
Yes, Floss
Another often forgotten step in the cleaning process is flossing. That string in your take-home dental bag is not for just throwing aside! It’s used for more than tying to the doorknob and yanking out that baby tooth. It can get to those places in the mouth that the toothbrush often can’t get to - between the teeth! Let’s wrap that floss around your index fingers and brace it with your thumbs, take it to the mouth and pop in between the teeth, up and down. No, let’s not “saw” left to right. That could cause unnecessary bleeding. A simple up and down motion and hearing that pop will get the job done. Continue to pop between each tooth until complete. You may end up removing some of today’s and yesterday’s lunch, but that’s ok. Better it’s out than lingering between your teeth causing gum inflammation. Be mindful that bleeding could ensue after you floss, especially if you haven’t flossed in a long time. But that’s fine. Bleeding is good. It shows that your gums are trying to fight off infection on their own. But let’s continue to give them some help!
Mouthrinse
Let’s be short on this. Mouthrinses are good. They help kill disease-causing bacteria and, depending on which one you buy, can provide additional fluoride exposure. Many are available and come in many flavors and strengths. Be sure to read the label to know what benefit you’ll be getting with each rinse. Use it once a day or once every other day and enjoy that clean feeling. Be careful not to swallow it, for it can be upsetting to the stomach and dangerous if too much is ingested. Also, be mindful not to substitute a mouthrinse for proper brushing and flossing. It is meant to be a supplement, not the main thing!
“Motorized” Clean
Those motorized machines sitting by your sink costed you potentially hundreds of dollars, so let’s take advantage of them. The electric toothbrush can be great, as it uses either a vibrating or rotating action to aid you in brushing effectively. You should still take your time, just as if you were using a manual brush. Studies show that electric toothbrushes can be just as effective as brushing manually, if used properly. Plus, they can be pretty cool to pack up in your suitcase and take with you on your vacations!
In addition, the jet-stream device that shoots water from the tip can be quite refreshing! The Waterpik device, or the like, is like a “pressure-washing” for your teeth and can actually give you quite the refreshing feeling. Again, this is meant to be a supplement to brushing, so be sure to do both in the morning and before bedtime. Try some mouthrinse in the water reservoir and take your clean to the next level. Just don’t make a mess while you do it!
Charcoal…. Really?
Yes, charcoal, or activated charcoal as it referred to in the health and beauty market, is being used for teeth cleaning. Although it can be effective in removing heavy staining on the teeth, it can also be quite abrasive. As mentioned previously, brushing your teeth too aggressively can possibly wear away the outer enamel layer. Well, adding a gritty type of paste with charcoal can contribute to that process, even if you’re not terribly aggressive. Wearing away your enamel can cause your teeth to be more sensitive and cause a more “yellowish” hue to your teeth. Be careful with these “trendy” methods of cleaning! See your dentist or dental hygienist for more information.
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