Oral Health Ellicott City, MD

How to Brush Your Teeth

The first step is to choose a good toothbrush. You always want to use a soft brush with a small head. A soft brush is hard enough to remove plaque and soft enough not to damage your teeth or gum.

The next issue is to choose a good toothpaste. In general any toothpaste that contains Fluoride will do the job, unless you have a special need that is determined by your dentist. Two of the best brands of toothpastes are Colgate Total and Crest Multicare.

The first rule of brushing is to start from a specific location and work your way to the opposite side and all the way through the whole mouth so that you end where you started. This way you won’t miss any area. Also usually a pea size of tooth paste is enough. A good brushing should at lease take 2 minutes and ideally around 4 minutes.

There are many different techniques for brushing your teeth but one of the most popular ones is described here:

Hold the brush with a 45 degree angle toward the teeth and the gum. Gently press against the gum so the tips of the bristles go in between the gum and the teeth. Then apply lateral vibration for a few times and roll down the brush to sweep the plaque away from the teeth and the gum. Repeat this motion 6 to 10 times and move on to the next area of 2 to 3 teeth. If your mouth is full of foam, spit out and continue brushing. Your brushing is completed when you have brushed all the surfaces of your teeth and not when your mouth is full!

On chewing surfaces, short strokes will work best to get the plaque out of the grooves and pits. Also when brushing the front teeth from inside, hold your brush vertically to be able to reach the teeth better.

As far as frequency of brushing is concerned, ideally you want to brush your teeth after each meal. But if you can t, brush at least twice a day after breakfast and before going to bed.

How to Floss Your Teeth

The surfaces that are between teeth are not accessible to brush; Therefore, the best way to clean them is with flossing. The frequency of flossing is like brushing and ideally after each meal, though one time a day (before going to bed) is the minimum necessary.

To start, cut a piece of dental floss (approximately 2 feet). Wrap both sides of the floss around your middle fingers. Using your index and thumb move the floss in between all your teeth one by one. When flossing, make sure you are not cutting your gum. The goal is to clean the teeth surfaces and not the gum. In each space in between the teeth, press the floss against each tooth (hug the tooth) and gently move it back and forth and up and down and then move to the opposite surface of the adjacent tooth.

Electric Brush Versus Manual Brushes

There have been multiple studies comparing the effectiveness of manual brushes as opposed to electric brushes.

Although not all the electric brushes are the same, in conclusion of all these studies it is fair to say that in general electric brushes are more effective in controlling the plaque than manual brushes. Theoretically you could do a very good brushing with a regular hand brush but the movements of an electric brush makes the task easier and more efficient. Also, some electric brushes (Sonicare) have sonic vibration that is difficult to mimic with a hand brush! Other electric brushes like Oral-B and Rotadent have small heads that help you reach hard to reach areas of your mouth. This aspect is more important when you are talking about somebody with orthodontic braces or a history of gum disease.

Bad Breath

There are a few different causes for bad breath. It ranges from stomach problems to diets and teeth problems. Most of the causes can be found in the mouth, they are:

1- Tongue (when bacteria grows in between the papilla) 2- Teeth cavities (especially when food particles get stuck in them) 3- Gum diseases 4- Extraction sites during healing 5- Dentures when not cleaned properly 6-Alcohol and tobacco

If you or someone you know is concerned about bad breath, the first step is a dental check up. Your dentist will be able to confirm or rule out teeth or mouth as the source of bad breath.

When the reason is found, treatment will be explained by your dentist. If the source of the bad breath is your mouth there is little chance that mouth washes or mints can treat the problem. They usually mask the problem for a short period of time. They can even sometimes make the situation worse (mouthwashes that contain alcohol cause dry mouth and that usually makes the bad breath worse).

These are a few other, non-dental reasons that cause bad breath:

1- Sore throat 2- Tonsillitis 3- Some foods 4- Infection of air passages.

Following a good oral hygiene routine and getting regular check ups with your dentist are best ways of preventing bad breath.

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Dental Health and Your Diet

Sugar is the main cause of dental decay when there is bacteria present. More important than the amount of sugar you take is the frequency of it.

Probably the worst thing you can do to your teeth is to hold a soda and have a sip every few minutes during a long period of time; the same is true for snacking. It is recommended that if you want to have a snack or a soda or juice it is better to have it after food, as dessert or have it in one sitting. Eating or drinking something sweet during a long period of time creates a constant supply of sugar for bacteria that cause tooth decay!

It is important to know all the sources of sugar. It is not just everything that is sweet but anything that can turn to sugar like pieces of bread. Cutting down your sugar intake is good for cavity prevention as well as general health.

When you have to have sugar! The best way to prevent cavities is to prevent the sugar from staying next to your teeth. Brushing after eating sugar, rinsing your mouth with Fluoride mouth wash or chewing sugarless gum can help. But nothing has the effect of avoiding sugar!

Is there any kind of food that prevents tooth decay? Well, not really. Some people believed that chewing foods like apple and carrots may have some plaque removal effect, but they still contain some sugar so any advantage of them is not clear.

Another group of food that causes significant damage to teeth structure is acidic foods. Things like lime, lemon and grapefruit, if in frequent contact with teeth, can cause serious irreversible damage (erosion) to your teeth.

Fluoride and Decay Prevention

Many years ago scientists started to notice that children who were born and raised in areas with natural fluoride in drinking water had less cavities than children in other areas.

Fluoride that is absorbed by your body when teeth were forming (during mother s pregnancy to early childhood) integrates into the structure of enamel and makes it stronger.

After teeth eruption fluoride that is inside your toothpaste or mouthwash, or what your dentist places on your teeth still have a positive effect on your teeth. It strengthens the enamel and reduces the chance of tooth decay.

If you have children and live in an area that has no Fluoride in its drinking water you should consult your dentist and physician about Fluoride tablets that are available for children.

Other Oral Health Topics

Oral Health Ellicott City, MD

Prevention is the emphasis of our office

Expert Tips for Effective Oral Hygiene Practices

Maintaining optimal oral health is crucial for preserving the well-being of your teeth and gums. This comprehensive guide offers professional insights into proper brushing and flossing techniques, the effectiveness of electric versus manual toothbrushes, causes and remedies for bad breath, the impact of diet on dental health, and the role of fluoride in preventing tooth decay.

How to Brush Your Teeth?

To start your oral hygiene routine, selecting a suitable toothbrush is paramount. Opt for a soft-bristled brush with a small head, as it is effective in removing plaque and gentle on your teeth and gums.

Choosing an appropriate toothpaste is equally important. In general, any toothpaste containing fluoride will suffice unless your dentist advises otherwise. Prominent brands such as Colgate Total and Crest Multicare are highly recommended.

When brushing your teeth, it is essential to follow a systematic approach. Begin at a specific location in your mouth and work your way to the opposite side, ensuring you cover every area thoroughly.

Approximately a pea-sized amount of toothpaste is adequate for each brushing session. Aim to brush for at least 2 minutes, ideally extending the duration to around 4 minutes.

While numerous brushing techniques exist, one popular method involves holding the brush at a 45-degree angle toward the teeth and gums. Gently apply pressure to enable the bristles to reach the gum-tooth interface. Employ lateral vibrations several times, followed by a downward rolling motion to remove plaque from the teeth and gum line. Repeat this motion 6 to 10 times before moving on to the next set of 2 to 3 teeth. Spit out any excess foam during brushing and continue until you have cleaned all tooth surfaces, rather than relying on a full mouth.

When addressing chewing surfaces, utilizing short strokes is most effective in eliminating plaque from grooves and pits. Holding the brush vertically for brushing the inner surfaces of your front teeth allows better access to these areas.

Ideally, brush your teeth after each meal. However, if that is not feasible, make it a habit to brush at least twice a day—once after breakfast and once before bedtime.

How To Floss Your Teeth?

Since certain areas between teeth are inaccessible to brushing alone, flossing becomes an essential component of your oral hygiene routine. Similar to brushing, the frequency of flossing should ideally align with the number of meals, although a minimum of once a day—preferably before going to bed—is necessary.

Cut a piece of dental floss measuring approximately 2 feet to begin flossing. Wrap both ends of the floss around the middle fingers by using your index finger and thumb, and guide the floss between each tooth individually. Ensure you do not cut into your gums while flossing; the objective is to clean the surfaces of your teeth, not the gum tissue. In each interdental space, press the floss against each tooth, moving it back and forth and up and down before transitioning to the opposite surface of the adjacent tooth.

Electric vs. Manual Toothbrushes

Several studies have compared the effectiveness of electric and manual toothbrushes. While not all electric brushes are identical, the consensus from these studies suggests that electric brushes are more effective in plaque control than their manual counterparts. While it is theoretically possible to achieve thorough cleaning with a manual brush, the automated movements of an electric brush can make the task easier and more efficient.

Some electric brushes, such as Sonicare, offer sonic vibration that is difficult to replicate with a manual brush. Electric brushes like Oral-B and Rotadent also feature small heads, facilitating access to hard-to-reach areas in the mouth. This aspect is particularly important for individuals with orthodontic braces or suffering from gum disease.

Bad Breath

Several factors can contribute to bad breath, ranging from stomach problems and dietary habits to dental issues. In many cases, the underlying causes are found within the mouth, including bacterial growth on the tongue, cavities, gum diseases, healing extraction sites, and improper cleaning of dentures. If you or someone you like is concerned about bad breath, it is advisable to schedule a dental check-up. Your dentist will be able to identify and address any dental or oral causes.

Once the source of bad breath is determined, your dentist will explain the appropriate treatment. It is worth noting that mouthwashes or mints only provide temporary masking of the problem and may, in some cases, exacerbate the situation. Mouthwashes containing alcohol, for example, can lead to dry mouth, which often worsens bad breath.

Non-dental causes of bad breath include sore throat, tonsillitis, certain foods, and respiratory infections. A diligent oral hygiene routine and regular dental check-ups remain the best preventive measures against bad breath.

Dental Health and Diet Sugar is the primary contributor to dental decay when combined with bacteria. The frequency of sugar consumption is more crucial than the quantity consumed. Sipping on soda or snacking over an extended period poses the greatest risk to teeth. Consuming snacks, sodas, or juices after meals, as a dessert, or in one sitting is advisable. Prolonged exposure to sugar creates a constant supply of the bacteria responsible for tooth decay.

Understanding all sources of sugar is vital. It is not limited to sweet foods but includes items that convert to sugar, such as pieces of bread. Reducing sugar intake is beneficial not only for preventing cavities but also for overall health.

The best approach to prevent cavities when consuming sugar is to minimize the contact between sugar and teeth. Brushing immediately after consuming sugar, rinsing with a fluoride mouthwash, or chewing sugarless gum can be helpful. However, nothing is as effective as avoiding sugar altogether.

While certain foods, like apples and carrots, have been believed to have plaque-removal properties, their advantage remains inconclusive due to their sugar content.

Another category of food that significantly damages tooth structure comprises acidic foods such as lime, lemon, and grapefruit. Frequent contact between these foods and teeth can cause irreversible damage, known as erosion.

Fluoride And Decay

Years of research have revealed that children raised in areas with greater amounts of natural fluoride in drinking water tend to have fewer cavities. Fluoride, when absorbed by the body during tooth formation (from pregnancy to early childhood), integrates into the enamel structure, strengthening it.

Even after teeth have erupted, fluoride in toothpaste, mouthwash, or applied by a dentist continues to benefit dental health. It reinforces the enamel and reduces the risk of tooth decay.

If you reside in an area without fluoride in the drinking water and have children, it is advisable to consult your dentist and physician regarding fluoride tablets available for children. They can guide appropriate fluoride supplementation.

By adhering to the recommendations outlined in this guide and adopting a diligent oral hygiene routine, you can effectively maintain and improve your oral health. Regular dental check-ups and consultations with your dentist are essential components of preventive dental care.