Use a good toothbrush. Choose a toothbrush with soft nylon bristles. This must effectively
and debris from your teeth, without irritating the gums or eroding tooth enamel like hard bristled brushes can do when used with sideways action. The toothbrush should also fit comfortably in your hand, and have a head small enough to easily reach all of your teeth, especially the ones at the back. If you have difficulty fitting the toothbrush into your mouth, it is probably too big.
Electric toothbrushes are a great choice if you are a lazy brusher and think that the electric toothbrush might encourage you to spend more time on your teeth. However, you can do just as good of a job with a manual toothbrush -- it's all in the technique.
You should definitely avoid toothbrushes with "natural" bristles made from animal hair as these can harbor bacteria.
Replace your toothbrush regularly. The bristles will wear out over time, losing their flexibility and effectiveness. You should get a new one every 3 to 4 months, or as soon as the bristles start to splay out and lose their shape. Visual inspection of the toothbrush is more important than the actual timeline. You can also buy toothbrushes nowadays whose handles will change color when its time to get a new one.
Research has found that thousands of microbes call toothbrush bristles and handles "home," and can cause infections.
Always rinse your brush after using it, and store it upright and uncovered so that it can dry before your next use. Otherwise bacteria will grow.
Use a fluoride toothpaste. It not only helps remove plaque, it also helps strengthen tooth enamel. However, it's important to note that fluoride toothpaste is not to be swallowed, as ingesting too much can have serious health consequences. It should not be used for children under the age of 3.
You can get toothpastes to target a wide variety of dental and gum problems, including , tartar, sensitive teeth and gums, gingivitis and stained teeth. Opt for the one that suits your best or ask your dentist or hygienist for advice.
Use dental floss.
is just as important as brushing, as it removes built up plaque, bacteria and food particles that get trapped between the teeth and which soft floppy toothbrush bristles can't reach even when used with up/down natural motion. You should always floss before brushing your teeth so that any food or bacteria that comes loose during flossing doesn't remain in your mouth.
Remember to floss gently. Don't "snap" the floss between the teeth as this can irritate sensitive . Ease it down gently, following the curve of each tooth.
If you find dental floss awkward to use or you have braces, look for dental picks instead. These are small wooden or plastic sticks which you can insert between teeth, achieving the same results as flossing if spaces are large enough.
Use a small amount of toothpaste. Squeeze only a pea-sized amount of toothpaste onto your toothbrush. Applying too much toothpaste can cause over-sudsing, tempting you to spit and finish too early. Plus, it increases the risk of you ingesting more fluoride-filled toothpaste, which is very unhealthy.
If brushing is painful, try brushing more gently with accurate up/down motion only or switch to a toothpaste formulated for sensitive teeth.
Set your bristles at the gum line at a 45-degree angle. Gently brush with a short, vertical or circular motion. Don't brush across your teeth.
Spend at least three minutes brushing. Brushing just a few teeth at a time, work your way around your mouth in a cycle (start outside lower left round to outside lower right then outside upper right to upper left, change to inside uppers before inside upper right ,inside lower right, finally inside lower left). so that you get every tooth, spending about 12 to 15 seconds in each spot. If it helps, you can divide your mouth into quadrants: top left, top right, bottom left, and bottom right. If you spend 30 seconds on each quadrant, you'll get a full two minutes of brushing time in.
If you get bored, try brushing your teeth while watching television or hum a song to yourself while you brush. Brushing your teeth for the duration of an entire song will ensure that you brush thoroughly!
Brush your molars. Position the toothbrush so that it's perpendicular to your lips, or so that the bristles are resting on top of your bottom molars. Work the toothbrush in an in-and-out motion, and move from the back of your mouth to the front. Repeat on the other side of your mouth. When the bottom teeth are clean, flip the toothbrush over and work on the top molars. To access outside top molars always swing the lower jaw to the side you are working on. This will increase the space available to move your brush up and down by several times so that no sideways motion occurs .
Brush the inner surfaces of your teeth. Tip the toothbrush so that the head of the toothbrush is pointing towards your gum line, and brush each tooth. Dentists report that the most commonly skipped area is the inside of the lower front teeth, so be sure not to forget those! Check that your mouth is opening wide enough by holding teeth apart with 2 or 3 fingers of your other hand. This will allow correct vertical angle to reach edge of gum.
Gently brush your tongue. After you've cleaned your teeth, use the bristles of your toothbrush to gently clean your tongue. (Don't press too hard, or you'll damage the tissue.) This helps keep bad breath away and gets rid of bacteria on your tongue.
Rinse out your mouth. If you choose to rinse after brushing, take a sip of water from a disposable cup, or cup your hands under the faucet. Swish it around your mouth, and spit it out.
Note that there is some debate on whether or not this is recommended. While some feel that it reduces the efficacy of the topical fluoride treatment, others wish to ensure that no fluoride is ingested. There are also those who just don't like having toothpaste in their mouths! If you're at a high risk of getting cavities, it may be beneficial not to rinse, or rinse with just a small amount of water—effectively creating a fluoride mouthwash.
Other studies have shown that rinsing after brushing has no significant impact on the effectiveness of brushing with a fluoride toothpaste.
Rinse your toothbrush. Hold your toothbrush under running water for a few seconds to remove any bacteria from the brush. If you don't rinse the toothbrush properly, you can actually introduce old bacteria into your mouth the next time you use it. Rinsing also removes any leftover toothpaste. Place your toothbrush somewhere where it will easily dry out, otherwise bacteria can grow.
Finish with a fluoride-based mouthwash (Optional). Take a small sip of mouthwash, swish it in your mouth for about 30 seconds, and spit it out. Be careful not to swallow any.
Rinse your mouth with salt water (Optional). Saltwater kills the bad bacteria on your teeth. There is a rumor that saltwater is acidic and can erode teeth if used too often. It's better not to use it too often, as like anything, too much of anything is bad.
Remember to brush at least twice a day. Most dentists recommend that you brush at least twice a day -- once in the morning and once before bed. If you can fit in a third time somewhere in the middle, even better! Try brushing at a 45° angle as this helps remove plaque and food/drink particles on your teeth better than if you did it normally. You should also try to avoid snacking between meals as much as possible, as this results in more food debris and bacteria building up in the mouth.
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For example:Don't say: Eat more fats.Do say: Add fats with some nutritional value to the foods you already eat. Try olive oil, butter, avocado, and mayonnaise.
Don't try to put a really big amount of toothpaste on the brush. You only need a pea-sized amount.
Try not to use a harsh toothbrush or brush too roughly, as this can harm your gums.
Brush your tongue and the roof of your mouth for better breath.
It is advisable to use mouthwash, but if you do use mouthwash, only use alcohol-free mouthwash.
If you can't brush after a meal, at least swish water in your mouth to loosen food particles.
Brush for at least two minutes.
If your gums bleed easily, that's a sign your might have inflamed gums (gingivitis). . Gingivitis is a serious cause not only of tooth loss, and bad breath, but of infection of the heart valves. Don't stop brushing if your gums bleed, but do switch to a softer toothbrush.
Brush for longer in needed areas.
Use a brush with short bristles. Small up and down movements are impossible in most mouths unless a brush is used with short, therefore accurate, bristles which allow the plaque to be disrupted. Long soft bristles require longer movements which are impossible in the restricted space of the mouth and force movement to be a lateral sideways movement which is not only ineffective, but also destructive.
There are toothbrushes with timers that tell you how long to brush. These types of toothbrushes may help you when brushing different angles of teeth in your mouth.
Wait 10 minutes before brushing after eating a meal.
Electric toothbrushes are better because you don't have to "rub" your teeth—but in general, good brushing habits are much more important than whether or not you use an electric brush.
Most people follow the same routine while brushing. Consider starting in a different location each time you brush, to avoid missing the same spots repeatedly.
Use a toothpick to take out food particles from between your teeth.
Remember to brush your teeth before breakfast and before bed. Make sure to use mouthwash after!
Visit a dentist at least every six months for an exam, x-rays, and a cleaning.
Brush your teeth at least three times a day. If you want to have really clean teeth you may brush after every meal or snack.
Try to rinse your teeth after drinking coffee, red wine, or dark teas. Over time, all these beverages can stain teeth permanently.
Never scrub each tooth in a circular motion over and over as any sideways action is destructive.
Wait at least 45 minutes before brushing your teeth after drinking soda, wine, or acidic juices such as orange juice. Sodas and juices leave residual acids on the teeth, and brushing can actually damage the enamel.
At the very least, brush your teeth in the morning and before you go to bed. Brush after every meal if possible, but don't overdo it: too much brushing is not good for your teeth.
Brush gently and not too harsh because that can cause bleeding teeth.
Be gentle while brushing teeth and don't be harsh on your teeth as that won't make your teeth look shinier but will only damage gums.
Don't brush too hard. Gums are very sensitive tissue.
Change your toothbrush every 3 months. Splayed toothbrush bristles can cause gum damage.
Never use someone else's toothbrush. You can transfer germs, bacteria, and diseases through microscopic cuts in your mouth.
Do not skip brushing your teeth — skipping out on this vital practice can cause .
Wait for at least 45 minutes after eating acidic foods or drinks before brushing, to prevent erosion of tooth enamel.
Do not swallow toothpaste or mouthwash. They contain chemicals that are toxic if you swallow them e.g. ammonia and cetylpyridinium chloride.
If more toothpaste or mouthwash than used for brushing or rinsing is swallowed, obtain medical attention or call a Poison Center immediately.
Toothbrush
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Saltwater (Optional)
Mouthwash (optional)
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Becomean Author!Gum Disease
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Gum Disease
Text Size  Do you think gum disease is something that only happens to people your grandparents' age? Think again! Teens can get gum disease too, and it can cause problems from the simply embarrassing (like bad breath) to the serious & like pain and tooth loss (which is both embarrassing and serious!).
What Is Gum Disease?
Gum disease is also known as periodontal (pronounced: pair-ee-oh-DON-tul) disease.
Periodontal disease is an inflammation of the tissues and bone that support the teeth. Untreated gum disease can become very serious, causing teeth to become loose or fall out.
Gum disease is usually caused by a buildup of plaque, an invisible sticky layer of germs that forms naturally on the teeth and gums. Plaque contains bacteria, which produce toxins that irritate and damage the gums.
Hundreds of types of bacteria live in the mouth, so keeping plaque at bay is a constant battle. That's why brushing and flossing every day & and regular trips to the dentist & are so important.Who Is at Risk?
Certain things can make a person more likely to develop gum disease. Some may inherit this tendency from their parents. The snacks you eat also can put you at risk of developing gum disease & especially if you grab fries and a soda after school and aren't able to brush immediately after eating them. You probably know that sugar is bad for your teeth, but you may not know that starchy foods like fries also feed the acids that eat into your tooth enamel.
If you have braces, fending off plaque can be tougher. Plus, some medical conditions (including diabetes and Down syndrome) and certain medicines increase the risk of gum disease.
Running yourself down with a lousy diet, too little sleep, and too much stress leaves you more vulnerable to infection anywhere in the body, including your gums.
Girls have a higher risk of gum disease than guys. Increases in female sex hormones during puberty can make girls' gums more sensitive to irritation. Some girls may notice that their gums bleed a bit in the days before their periods.
For severe & and early & gum problems, though, the real bad guy is tobacco. Not only does smoking lead to bad breath and stained, yellowed teeth but smoking also is a leading cause of gum disease.
According to the American Dental Association (ADA), people who smoke cigarettes and chew tobacco are more likely to have plaque and tartar buildup and to show signs of advanced gum disease. They're also more likely to develop mouth cancer in the future.How It Progresses
Gum disease progresses in stages. Believe it or not, more than half of teens have some form of gum disease.
Do your gums bleed when you floss or brush your teeth? Chances are you already have the mildest form of gum disease & bleeding gums are usually a sign of gingivitis (pronounced: jin-juh-VY-tus). Other warning signs of gingivitis include gum tenderness, redness, or puffiness.
If plaque from teeth and gums isn't removed by good daily dental care, over time it will harden into a crust called calculus or tartar. Once tartar forms, it starts to destroy gum tissue, causing gums to bleed and pull away from the teeth. This is known as periodontitis (pronounced: pair-ee-oh-don-TY-tus), a more advanced form of gum disease.
With periodontitis, gums become weakened and form pockets around the base of teeth. Bacteria pool in these pockets, causing further destruction of the gums. As periodontitis spreads, it damages deeper gum tissue and can eventually spread to areas of the jawbone that support the teeth. This can cause teeth to become loose and fall out. Though periodontitis is rare in teens, it can happen. If it's not treated, it can cause real trouble for your teeth.
What should you do to avoid these problems? See your dentist if you notice any of these signs of gum disease:
bleeding of the gums that occurs regularly when brushing or flossing
discoloration of gums (healthy gums should look pink and firm, not red, swollen, or tender)
any sign of gums pulling away from teeth
bad breath that won't go away
loose teeth
Tracking It Down and Treating It
Gum disease can be sneaky, sometimes causing little or no pain or irritation before permanent damage is done to your teeth. That's why regular dentist visits are a must. With X-rays and a thorough examination, a dentist or dental hygienist can spot trouble before you know it's there.
The earlier that gum disease is caught, the better. Adopting better brushing and flossing habits can usually reverse gingivitis. Sometimes your dentist will also prescribe antibiotics or a special antibacterial mouth rinse to tackle the problem.
Once someone develops periodontitis, it isn't as easy to control. Usually there is widespread infection of the gums that needs to be treated. This may require several special treatments either by a dentist or a periodontist, an expert who specializes in the care of gum disease.
Some of the ways dentists and periodontists may treat periodontitis are:
Scaling or root planing. These deep-cleaning measures involve scraping and removing plaque and tartar from teeth above and below the gum line.
Antibiotics. These and other medications are often used together with scaling and root planing to stop the spread of infection and inflammation in the mouth. They come in several different forms that range from medicated mouthwashes to antibiotic-containing gels or fibers that are placed in gum pockets to slowly kill bacteria and help gums to heal.
Surgery. Advanced cases of periodontitis may require a dentist to open and clean badly diseased gum pockets, then stitch the gums back into place to fit more snugly around the teeth.
Gingival grafting. If gum tissue is too diseased to sew back together, a dentist removes healthy gum tissue from another part of the mouth and stitches it into place. The graft replaces the diseased tissue and helps to anchor the teeth, giving them an improved appearance.
While undergoing treatment for periodontitis, it's especially important to take special care of your teeth and gums to see lasting improvement. This includes flossing and brushing every day and quitting habits that mean bad news for the mouth, such as smoking or eating sugary snacks between meals.Prevention Tips
Fortunately, there's good news: Gum disease is usually preventable. Just take care of your teeth, starting now. Don't wait!
Brush twice a day for at least 3 minutes each time (about the length of your favorite song) and floss daily. If you're not sure whether you're brushing or flossing properly, your dentist or dental hygienist can show you the best techniques.
Always brush with a toothpaste th some dentists also recommend daily mouth rinses containing fluoride.
Use a toothbrush with soft, polished bristles, as these are less likely to irritate or injure gum tissue. Be sure to replace your toothbrush at least every 3 to 4 months & a worn-out toothbrush can injure your gums. (Some toothbrush brands contain color indicators on the bristles to remind you to replace them when they become worn.)
Eat a healthy diet. Avoid snacks and junk foods packed with sugar that plaque-causing bacteria love to feed on.
Don't smoke! Cigarettes and chewing tobacco cause mouth irritation and are very unhealthy for gums and teeth.
Regular dental care is extremely important in helping to keep your mouth healthy. Visit your dentist for routine care & especially cleaning & at least twice a year. Your dentist can remove hardened plaque and any tartar that you're not getting to with brushing or flossing.
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Date reviewed: September 2014
Originally reviewed by:
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