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What is the Best Technique for Brushing? |
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There are a number of effective brushing techniques. Patients are advised to check with their dentist or hygienist to determine which technique is best for them, since tooth position and gum condition vary. One effective, easy-to-remember technique involves using a circular or elliptical motion to brush a couple of teeth at a time, gradually covering the entire mouth. Place a toothbrush beside your teeth at a 45-degree angle and gently brush teeth in an elliptical motion. Brush the outside of the teeth, inside the teeth, your tongue, the chewing surfaces and between teeth. Using a back-and-forth motion causes the gum surface to recede, can expose the root surface or make the root surface tender. You also risk wearing down the gum line.
Soft or hard bristles?
In general, a toothbrush head should be small (1" by 1/2") for easy access. It should have a long, wide handle for a firm grasp and soft, nylon bristles with round ends. Some brushes are too abrasive and can wear down teeth. A soft, rounded, multi-tufted brush can clean teeth effectively. Press just firmly enough to reach the spaces between the teeth as well as the surface. Medium and hard bristles are not recommended.
How long should I brush?
It might be a good idea to brush with the radio on, since dentists generally recommend brushing three to four minutes, the average length of a song. Using an egg timer is another way to measure your brushing time. Patients generally think they're brushing longer, but most spend less than a minute brushing.
To make sure you're doing a thorough job and not missing any spots, patients are advised to brush the full three to four minutes twice a day, instead of brushing quickly five or more times through the day.
Should I brush at work?
Definitely, but most Americans don't brush during the workday. Yet a survey by Oral-B Laboratories and the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) shows if you keep a toothbrush at work, the chances you will brush during the day increase by 65 percent.
Getting the debris off teeth right away stops sugary snacks from turning to damaging acids and catches starchy foods like potato chips before they turn to cavity-causing sugar. If you brush with fluoride toothpaste in the morning and before going to bed, you don't even need to use toothpaste at work. You can just brush and rinse before heading back to your desk. If you don't have a toothbrush, rinsing your mouth with water for 30 seconds after lunch also helps.
Tips to improve your office brushing habits: - Post a sticky note on your desk or computer as a reminder to brush teeth after lunch.
- Brush teeth right after lunch, before you become absorbed in work.
- Store your toothbrush and toothpaste at work in a convenient and handy place.
- Make brushing your teeth part of your freshening-up routine at work.
- When brushing at the office or away from home, it's important to make an extra effort to keep your toothbrush germ-free.
Tips on how to properly store and care for your toothbrush at work: - Always store your toothbrush in a travel container.
- Dry your toothbrush after use and before returning to its container.
- Change the toothbrush you take to work more often than your toothbrush at home to avoid bacteria build-up.
Source: Academy of General Dentistry
Plano dentist, Dr. Thompson maintains his private dental practice (Imagecare Dental) in Plano, TX. For more information on this or any other dental topic, please visit: www.imagecaredentalgroup.com . If you have questions for Dr. Thompson, please send an e-mail to:
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
or mail him at 6841 Coit Rd, Plano, TX 75024. |
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Do You Have Traveler's Breath? |
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In addition to racking up frequent flyer miles, some travelers may also experience bad breath, and possibly a condition known as "tooth squeeze," while flying the friendly skies.
Bad breath while traveling happens when the salivary glands slow down the production of saliva, which allows bacteria to grow inside the mouth and bad breath to develop. Many travelers alter their food intake while at the airport and on the plane, and then will ignore their oral care hygiene routine. "Many people increase their fast food and soda intake while traveling," says J. Nick Russo, DDS, FAGD, past president of the Academy of General Dentistry. "This leaves food particles in the mouth that produce a sulfur compound and cause bad breath."
On the other end of the spectrum, bad breath can also be associated with hunger or fasting, which is also a common habit of some frequent fliers. "Even if you have brushed your teeth, but have not eaten a meal all day, 'morning mouth' may reoccur later in the day," says Dr. Russo.
Another condition that may happen while traveling but is less common than bad breath is known as "tooth squeeze," or barodontalgia, which describes a toothache or dental pain resulting from any change in barometric pressure during flight. The pain may, or may not, become more severe as altitude is increased, but descent almost invariably brings relief. The toothache often disappears at the same altitude at which it was first observed on ascent.
"Common sources of this difficulty are abscesses, cavities or fillings," says Dr. Russo. He advises any holiday travelers who experience a toothache at high altitudes should see a dentist without delay for examination and treatment. Source: Academy of General Dentistry Plano dentist, Dr. Thompson maintains his private dental practice (Imagecare Dental) in Plano, TX. For more information on this or any other dental topic, please visit: www.imagecaredentalgroup.com . If you have questions for Dr. Thompson, please send an e-mail to:
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
or mail him at 6841 Coit Rd, Plano, TX 75024. |
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