Dr. Michael K. Brown, DDS
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Tips on Caring for Your Teeth
By Dr. Michael Brown, on March 21st, 2011

There’s a lot of basics to proper dental care that are just common knowledge, such as brushing at least twice a day. But do you know how long you should be brushing or do you know the angle that is most effective for brushing? While reading these tips keep in mind that whenever you brush, your main goal is to remove plaque and buildup that is on your teeth. Prevention is the cheapest and most inexpensive dental treatment. Brushing, flossing, and watching your diet are key to continued dental health.

1. The angle of your brush is important.
When you angle the toothbrush, you want to make sure to get it at a 45 degree angle to the gum line because this is mainly where the plaque buildup gets on your teeth.

Carefully brush from the top of your tooth (where the gum and the tooth meet) to the bottom of your tooth in a small circular motion. If you are using an electric toothbrush make sure you are moving to brush up and down slowly so it gets into all those areas. To brush the chewing surface of your teeth, tilt the brush at an angle to better get in the cracks between teeth. Do the same for the teeth on the bottom of your mouth.

2. Brush for a specific amount of time.
Whenever brushing your teeth, you want to make sure to brush 2-3 times a day and to brush for a full 2 minutes. It doesn’t seem like a long time, but next time you brush your teeth take a timer with you. You might be surprised how long you were brushing your teeth for before!

Consider using a stop watch or egg timer to make sure you brush your teeth for at least 2 minutes. Alternatively, you can listen to some music while brushing and brush for the full length of the song.

3. It’s not just your teeth that need attention.
It is important to clean your entire mouth. Only brushing the front surface of your teeth is like taking all the mess in a bedroom and throwing it under a bed. Sure, it looks clean but there are things lurking in places we cannot see.
Divide your brushing routine into sections instead of attempting to tackle all areas of your mouth at once. Start by working on the outer portion of the upper and lower teeth. Make sure you also gently brush your gums as stimulating your gums helps to agitate and remove plaque that may have settled at the gum line. Then, move to the inner surfaces of both jaws. Next, concentrate on the chewing, or top, surfaces of both the upper and lower teeth. Tilt the brush vertically to get the back of your teeth, and then pull the brush forward at a 45 degree angle. Finally, using a forward-sweeping motion, gently brush your tongue and the roof of your mouth to remove the decay-causing bacteria that exist in these places.

4. Use the right toothbrush.
I almost always suggest a soft bristled tooth brush for brushing your teeth. A brush with a small head is also ideal, because they can get into those hard to reach places in your mouth. An electric tooth brush is a great option because they are designed to reach those hard to get places and you don’t lose power from the limited movement space in those tight corners of your mouth. Electric toothbrushes can also have built in timers, making a soft bristled, electric toothbrush the ideal toothbrush, but an old fashioned toothbrush can work too.

5. Use the right toothpaste.
Your toothpaste should have fluoride in it. If you are considering switching to a toothpaste for sensitive teeth or for teeth whitening, please come and see me first. These toothpastes sometimes may not have all the plaque removing power your teeth need.

6. Floss regularly.
Cleaning the spaces between your teeth and along your gums with dental floss is as important to your oral health as cleaning your teeth with a toothbrush. Just like you brush your teeth every day, flossing should be part of your daily routine. Flossing should be done at least once a day and can be done before or after brushing.
To floss your teeth take 12 – 18 inches of floss and grasp it so you have a couple of inches of floss taut between your hands. Slip the floss between your teeth and into the area between your teeth and gums. Using vertical strokes move the floss back and forth between your teeth 8 – 10 times.

7. Nutrition is important to improving and maintaining good dental health.
It has long been known that good nutrition and a well-balanced diet is one of the best defenses for your oral health. Providing your body with the right amounts of vitamins and minerals helps your teeth and gums-as well as your immune system-stay strong and ward off infection, decay and disease.

Harmful acids and bacteria in your mouth are left behind from eating foods high in sugar and carbohydrates. These include carbonated beverages, some kinds of fruit juices, and many kinds of starch foods like pasta, bread and cereal. While no links have been actually made between gum disease and a poor diet, nutrition problems (including obesity and overeating) can create conditions that make gum disease easier to contract.

Make sure you get regular checkups at our office too! You are welcome to call the office of Dr. Michael Brown of O’Fallon, Missouri at 636-240-1750 to discuss your dental needs.
Categories: General Dental Care, Tips for Dental Care | Leave a comment