Park
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Care
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Brushing
What the best technique for brushing?
There are a number of effective brushing techniques.
Patients are advised to check with their dentist or hygienist to determine
which is the best one 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 and the chewing surfaces and in between
teeth. Using a back and forth motion causes the gum surface to recede,
or 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 tooth brush head should be small (1 "
by 1/2") for easy access. It should have a long, grasp. It should
have 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.
Dr. Hibbs recommends mechanical toothbrushes. Either Braun Oral-B, or SoniCare.
How long should I brush?
It might be a good idea to brush with the radio on, since dentists
generally recommend brushing 3-4 minutes-the length of an average 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 3-4 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. Dentists say it's a good idea to keep a toothbrush in your desk,
which increases the chances that you'll brush during the day by 65 percent,
according to a recent survey released by Oral-B Laboratories and the Academy
of General Dentistry. 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 the desk. If you don't have a toothbrush, rinsing your mouth with
water for 30 seconds after lunch also helps.
The following tips may improve
your work-time brushing habits:
Post a sticky note on your desk or computer at work 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.
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Send comments to: Dr. J. Eric Hibbs