Dental visits wouldn’t produce much anxiety if every time a patient was evaluated their dentist told them that their teeth looked wonderful. Unfortunately, many of us don’t get that positive news every time we visit our dentist for a check-up. There are ways, however, that can increase your chances of hearing good news.
Tip #1: Brush twice a day
As a child you were taught to brush your teeth before going to bed. It’s hard to start new, healthier habits, but brushing your teeth twice a day for a minimum of two minutes each time really does help improve oral health outcomes. The American Dental Association (ADA) based their recommendation for brushing twice a day on scientific evidence.
In a systematic review of 33 articles published in the Journal of Dental Research it was found that “brushing fewer than two times a day was consistently associated with more tooth decay than brushing twice a day or more.”1
Tip #2: Brush for a minimum of two minutes each time you brush
The ADA’s recommendation of the two minute minimum time for brushing was also based on scientific research that showed the brushing for two minutes leads to a greater reduction in plaque than brushing for one minute does. A review of 50 papers published in International Journal of Dental Hygiene revealed that, on average, people who brushed for one minute removed about 27 percent of plaque while those who brushed for two minutes removed about 41 percent of the plaque on their teeth.2
Plaque is the sticky biofilm, made of many layers of hundreds of different bacteria types, that builds up on your teeth and multiplies based on the foods you eat. Plaque buildup causes gingivitis, a reversible form of gum disease, which, if not treated, can progress to periodontitis which is not reversible.3
Plaque eventually turns into tartar which builds up along your gumline and must be removed by a dental professional during a cleaning.
Tip #3: Clean between your teeth at least once each day
It’s no secret that most people consider flossing gross, messy and difficult and they prefer not to do it. The importance of cleaning between teeth can’t be ignored. Tooth brushes aren’t good at cleaning between your teeth where food particles can get stuck.
Dental floss, interdental brushes, dental picks and water flossers are much more effective at cleaning between teeth. It doesn’t matter what time of the day you clean between your teeth, nor does it matter if you brush first or after cleaning between your teeth.4
Tip #4: Choose tooth-friendly foods and beverages
Sugar, starch and acid aren’t tooth-friendly foods. Candy, desserts, sweetened beverages and many processed foods contain added sugar and sugar is a known cavity causer. Starchy foods, like crackers, bread, chips and pasta aren’t rinsed by saliva as easily so they linger in the mouth, breaking down into simple sugars on which acid-producing bacteria feed, causing tooth decay.5
Acidic foods can also cause tooth enamel to wear away, causing sensitivity and creating a breeding ground for tooth decay. Citrus fruits like lemons, limes and oranges, as well as apples, grapes, peaches, blueberries, pineapples, fruit juices, tomatoes, jams and jellies, vinegar and other foods are considered acidic.
As many of these foods also have health benefits it is recommended that you rinse your mouth with water after eating any of them in order to dilute the acids in your mouth and wait at least 30 minutes before brushing to give your enamel time to resettle.6
While following the above recommendations won’t guarantee a problem-free dental check-up, paying more attention to your oral health routine can make it more likely that you will have less oral health issues. In addition to reducing the cost of your dental care, following these recommendations will also improve your overall health.
For complete dental care that will keep your oral health in check and your smile bright, visit our Walled Lake Dental Office. Dr. Hechtman is an experienced dentist that can address an array of dental concerns including restoring and creating beautiful smiles. Whether you need a tooth to be filled, pulled or want it replaced, our dental services are what you need. Schedule a Free Dental Consultation for a better, healthier smile!
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1, 2 Do I Really Need to Brush My Teeth for 2 Minutes Twice a Day? by Lindsey Lanquist, 3/13/2018
Link: https://www.self.com/story/how-long-to-brush-teeth
3 What is Plaque? Causes, Treatment and Prevention
Link: https://www.listerine.com/attack-plaque/what-is-plaque
4 How Often (and When) Should You Floss? by Scott Frothingham, 11/27/2019
Link: https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health/how-often-should-you-floss#brush-or-floss-first
5 What to Do for Healthy Teeth and Gums, by Jennifer Berry, 3/14/2019
Link: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324708#limit-sugars-and-starches
6 Acidic Foods and How They Affect Your Teeth, 1/9/2023
Link: https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/nutrition-and-oral-health/acidic-fruits-and-teeth-effects#