But what exactly are the best techniques for both brushing and flossing? Here are a few guidelines to follow when caring for your teeth and gums daily.

Optimal Brushing Techniques

Brushing your teeth is the first line of defense against plaque buildup, which can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Daily brushing helps to remove food particles and bacteria, keeping your mouth healthy.

When brushing your teeth, it’s essential to:

• Brush twice a day. Brush once in the morning and once before bed. Ideally, you’d brush first thing in the morning before breakfast and last thing at night before bed.
• Choose the right toothbrush. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to protect your tooth enamel and gum tissue. Replace your toothbrush every three to four months or sooner if the bristles appear frayed [1].
• Use fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride helps to remineralize tooth enamel and protect against decay. Always choose a toothpaste that contains fluoride.
• Use the proper technique. Hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gums and use gentle, circular motions [2]. Brush all surfaces of your teeth—front, back, and chewing surfaces—every time you brush.

Flossing Best Practices

While brushing is vital, it doesn’t reach all areas of your mouth. Flossing is essential for cleaning between teeth and along the gum line, where toothbrush bristles cannot reach.

When flossing, make sure to:

• Floss every day. Once a day is all that’s needed, so whenever is the most convenient time for you is fine.
• Choose the right floss. There are several types of floss available, including waxed, unwaxed, flavored, unflavored, and even water floss. Choose one that you are comfortable with and that is easy to use.
• Use proper technique. Use about 18 inches of floss, winding most of it around your middle fingers, leaving about two inches to work with. Gently slide the floss between your teeth and curve it around the base of each tooth, making sure to go just beneath the gum line.
• Use a clean section of floss for each tooth. This will help you avoid transferring bacteria from tooth to tooth.
• Consider flossing aids. Flossing aids can be helpful for people with limited dexterity or those with braces. If you struggle to use regular floss, these interdental cleaners can be very helpful [3].

How Well Do You Clean Your Teeth?

Maintaining an effective dental care routine through proper brushing and flossing habits is essential for a healthy smile. Following these best practices can dramatically improve your oral hygiene and prevent future dental problems. Remember—the foundation of a healthy mouth is built on consistency and correct techniques.

If you have questions about your brushing or flossing habits, or if it’s been a while since your last dental check-up, contact your dentist today for personalized advice and professional care!

Sources:

1. https://www.ada.org/resources/ada-library/oral-health-topics/toothbrushes
2. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/brushing-your-teeth
3. https://www.ada.org/resources/ada-library/oral-health-topics/floss

The post What Are Best Practices for Brushing and Flossing? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

1. Drinking Seltzer Water

Many people consider seltzer water, sometimes referred to as sparkling water, as a healthier alternative to soda.

While sparkling water with no added sugar can be better than soda in some instances, it’s still infused with carbon dioxide to give it bubbles. However, this carbon dioxide turns into carbonic acid, which lowers the pH of the drink.

What this means is that whereas regular water typically has a pH of around 7, seltzer water has a pH of around 3-4 [1]. Some sodas have a pH of as low as 2, which is extremely acidic, but seltzer water isn’t as much of a healthier choice as people think.

2. Brushing Your Teeth Too Hard

Your tooth enamel is the hardest substance in your body, but it can still be damaged from acidic foods and drinks, bacteria, and yes, even brushing your teeth too hard!

Brushing aggressively isn’t necessary to remove plaque from your teeth. Take the time to brush each tooth and floss and harsh brushing won’t be necessary. And remember to choose a toothbrush with soft bristles to further minimize damage to your tooth enamel!

3. Mouth Breathing

Breathing through your mouth can be damaging to your tooth enamel, especially when done on a regular basis. In fact, mouth breathing can promote gum disease and tooth decay [2]! People may breathe through their mouths when snoring, exercising, or just out of habit. Regardless, take steps to curb this harmful habit, which can dry out your mouth and promote bacteria that cause oral disease.

4. Snacking

Constantly exposing your oral cavity to snacks throughout the day can damage your tooth enamel. Snacking is fine, but try to limit your snacks so that you aren’t consistently eating.

When we eat food, our mouths begin to break down the food through bacteria and saliva. But eating too frequently or eating the wrong kinds of foods can harm teeth. When you do snack, choose healthy options such as apples or carrots!

5. Not Addressing Acid Reflux

If you have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), otherwise known as acid reflux, it’s important to have this condition under control. Not only can acid reflux be harmful to your stomach and esophagus—it can be extremely damaging to teeth.

For some patients with acid reflux, harsh stomach acids can travel up the esophagus and end up in the oral cavity, where they can wreak havoc on teeth. These acids can wear away tooth enamel, leading to tooth sensitivity, discoloration, cavities, and even tooth loss [3].

Did you know any of these five things could hurt your teeth? Be mindful when taking care of your smile. By protecting your teeth and gums with regular healthy habits, you can smile bright for life!

Sources:
1. https://cspinet.org/tip/your-seltzer-habit-harming-your-teeth
2. https://www.health.harvard.edu/oral-health/does-breathing-through-my-mouth-affect-my-dental-health
3. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/e/tooth-erosion-and-acid-reflux

The post 5 Ways You’re Hurting Your Teeth (And Don’t Know It!) appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Skip the Case

Some toothbrushes may come with a travel case that fits the brush. It’s never a good idea to
store your toothbrush in these cases. Keeping your toothbrush enclosed in a space where it
can’t air out will keep your toothbrush moist between cleanings and allow bacteria to grow.
You should also never store your toothbrush in a medicine cabinet for the same reason. Ideally,
your toothbrush should be stored upright and allowed to air out completely before you use it
again. This will prevent bacteria from growing between uses!

Rinse After Using

It’s always a good idea to rinse your toothbrush once you’re finished using it to wash off any
food particles, toothpaste, and bacteria that may have accumulated on there during your
brushing. You don’t need to use special water for this, a simple rinse with tap water is fine.
Some patients try to sanitize their toothbrush using a dishwasher or toothbrush sanitizing
solutions found at the store. However, there is no evidence that these work any better than
simply letting your toothbrush air dry and replacing it as needed.

Replace When Necessary

Your toothbrush should ideally be replaced every three or four months. Do not wait until your toothbrush’s bristles are frayed or damaged to replace your brush. Whether or not your toothbrush looks like it needs to be replaced, it’s a good idea to start using a new one after approximately 90 days.

Replacing your toothbrush sooner may be necessary if the bristles are frayed, someone other
than you used your toothbrush, or you’ve recently gotten treatment for gum disease or had a
cavity filled. You don’t want to spread old bacteria to your healthy new smile!
Never Share

It’s never a good idea to share your toothbrush, even if it’s with a relative. Our mouths contain
billions of bacteria, some of which are responsible for causing tooth decay and gum disease.
Even worse, if the person you’re sharing your toothbrush with has gum disease, you may even
be exposing yourself to their blood.

Similarly, it’s a good idea to keep your toothbrush away from other toothbrushes. It’s okay to
have toothbrushes in the same holder, just be sure they don’t touch. Many holders contain
individual holes for you to put each toothbrush in separately to prevent bacteria from
spreading.

You can allow your toothbrush to continue being an effective tool in your oral care by storing it
properly after each use and replacing it when necessary. Keeping a spare toothbrush in your
bathroom can make it easy to begin using a new toothbrush as soon as you’re ready to toss
your old one!

The post Top Tips for Storing Your Toothbrush and Keeping It Clean appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

However, you can be too aggressive with your flossing to the point that you actually damage
your teeth and gums. When done incorrectly, harsh flossing can cause a host of problems.
Here’s how you can know if you’re hurting your smile by flossing too aggressively!

You Allow Floss to Damage Your Gumline

Many people forget that it’s your teeth you’re supposed to be flossing, not your gums. Some
people pull too hard on the floss to try and get it in between their teeth and end up pulling the
floss down hard on their gums.

Allowing floss to get underneath your gumline, especially if it’s in a harsh manner, actually
injures your gums. It can cause your gums to bleed in the short term and even worse, can cause
them to recede and accelerate gum disease in the long term.

Allowing floss to hurt your gumline doesn’t help remove plaque. Instead, it can open up spaces
for bacteria to enter your gums and tooth roots, leading to painful infections and even tooth
decay and gum disease.

You Floss Numerous Times a Day

Flossing numerous times a day increases the chances that you’re hurting your teeth and gums.
Flossing your teeth too much can hurt the gumline, which can expose your tooth’s root.

You only need to floss once per day for effective results, especially if you floss gently and
correctly to remove plaque from in between your teeth. If you need to floss again due to
something being stuck in your teeth, this is fine, just try not to make a regular practice out of
flossing numerous times every day!

You’re Too Enthusiastic When Flossing

Some people use floss too enthusiastically, which can hurt both the teeth and the gums.
Forcing floss against the gums or the teeth and using too much pressure can hurt the gums and
even wear away tooth enamel over time.

Digging underneath your gumline with floss isn’t necessary. Flossing should be done with some
pressure, but not excessive pressure. Just like brushing, it’s important to do this task gently for
best results.

If you’re confused about how to floss correctly, ask your dentist to demonstrate during your
next checkup. Many people experience receding gums, gum disease, and root cavities without
realizing that the main problem may actually be their harmful flossing habits!

Don’t skip flossing just because you aren’t sure how to do it correctly or you’re afraid that
you’re harming your teeth. Remember, gums usually bleed because you haven’t flossed in a
while. However, if they bleed regularly while flossing, you may need to floss more gently.
Schedule a checkup with your dentist to review your flossing techniques to protect and
enhance your smile instead of harming it!

The post Can You Be Too Aggressive with Your Flossing? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Whether you enjoy a drink a day, a few times a week, or rarely, here’s what you need to know
in regards to alcohol consumption and your dental health.

Increases Damage to Tooth Enamel

Alcohol is very acidic with many drinks containing a pH of around 3-4. With alcohol being so
corrosive, enjoying this beverage can cause your tooth enamel to erode and create weak spots
that are susceptible to tooth decay, discoloration, or tooth sensitivity.

When areas of your tooth enamel are eroded away, your teeth aren’t protected and are more
at risk to experience problems. To keep alcohol from ruining your tooth enamel, be sure to sip
water with your drink and always wait 30 minutes after consuming alcohol to brush your teeth.

More Oral Plaque

Since many forms of alcohol contain sugar, these drinks put you at risk to experience more
plaque on your pearly whites. Plaque is an accumulation of bacteria that feels fuzzy on your
teeth. If left unchecked, this material can harden into tartar, which is impossible to remove at
home.

When drinking alcohol, it’s easy for plaque to build up in your mouth, making tooth decay and
gum disease more likely. In order to keep your mouth plaque-free, it’s imperative to brush
twice a day and visit your dentist for regular cleanings.

Higher Risk of Oral Cancer

Abusing alcohol is the second largest risk factor for getting oral cancer. Oral cancers include
those of the mouth, tongue, throat, lips, and cheeks. Alcohol increases your risk for oral cancer;
in fact, alcohol is a risk factor for many cancers.

The good news is that many oral cancers have a high survival rate of 84% if caught early. Your
dentist can perform an oral cancer screening during your appointment and talk with you about
your risk for oral cancer.

Alcohol Causes Dry Mouth

Since alcohol actually dehydrates your body, it causes dry mouth. Dry mouth has more of an
impact on your oral health than you think. Without proper saliva production, your tooth
enamel is more at risk to be damaged.

Saliva also helps to balance bacteria, so without enough of it, the mouth turns acidic and
bacteria can attack the tooth enamel. This not only increases your risk for tooth decay but can
also cause bad breath.

Alcohol’s dehydrating effect on the mouth can also make oral tissues more susceptible to toxins
and carcinogens, such as those found in cigarette smoke. If you do choose to drink, staying
hydrated with water is important!

No matter how much you drink, it’s important to know how alcohol affects your oral cavity to
understand your risk of health problems such as oral cancer, tooth decay, and dry mouth. Be
sure to follow up with your dentist to ensure your smile is healthy if you enjoy alcohol, even in
moderation!

The post Can Alcohol Affect Your Dental Health? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Removing plaque daily is an essential part of taking care of your oral health. Without the
removal of plaque, it begins to harden in a matter of hours. What foods and habits increase
plaque buildup in your mouth? You’ll want to avoid the following habits for a healthy smile!

Not Flossing

Brushing is an excellent way to remove plaque, but unfortunately, it can only reach so many
places in our mouths. The spaces between our teeth are often the most neglected—plaque
forms here just as it does on the rest of the surfaces of your teeth.

When you neglect to floss, plaque quickly builds up and can cause enamel erosion, bad breath,
and even tooth decay. You only need to floss once a day to experience the benefits, so get out
the floss and get rid of the plaque!

Eating Sugar Frequently

The bacteria in our mouths thrive on simple sugars, which results in more plaque than other
foods such as vegetables or proteins. If you frequently eat sugar throughout the day, you’re
increasing your risk of plaque buildup.

Eating simple sugars such as white bread, cakes, and candies in moderation is fine, as long as
consume them with water and wait 30 minutes to brush afterwards. Just remember—the more
sugar you eat, the more plaque you’ll need to remove later!

Not Drinking Water

Water is not only essential to our bodily health, it’s just as important for our smiles. Water acts
as a buffer between the harsh acids of foods such as sugars and our tooth enamel. When you
drink water, you help balance your oral bacteria, replenish your saliva, and boost hydration
throughout the body.

When you neglect to drink enough water—or skip water in favor of soda or juice—your oral
health suffers. Sipping on water throughout the day is an ideal way to stay hydrated and
protect your teeth and gums!

Forgetting to Brush Before Bed

Brushing your teeth twice a day doesn’t give plaque much of a chance to build up, provided
you’re doing a quality brushing job! However, skipping brushing leaves a solid window for
plaque to form, and if you’re missing that crucial brushing session before bed, plaque that’s
built up all day now has a chance to wreak havoc on your mouth.

Forgetting to brush before bed is a bad habit that should be avoided. If you have trouble
remembering to brush or are exhausted before bed, try brushing earlier in the evening before
you forget or become so tired you want to skip this important task!

Skipping Regular Checkups

Despite our best intentions when brushing and flossing, plaque is sneaky and can build up in
places we miss when brushing or aren’t able to reach. Visiting your dentist for regular cleanings
at least once a year can help you avoid the consequences of plaque buildup and experience a
healthier smile!

Have you been guilty of any of the above habits? It’s never too late to begin taking care of your
smile. When it comes to something as harmful as plaque, it’s important to remember that you
can help prevent plaque buildup and create a smile you can be proud of for life!

The post Which Foods and Habits Increase Plaque Buildup? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Cleaning your teeth well when you have braces will take more time, but will also be more
important. Your wires and brackets create extra areas for plaque and food particles to hide,
increasing your risk of gum disease while you’re getting your smile straightened.

How can you brush your teeth when you have braces? The following steps will lead you to a
squeaky clean smile!

First: Choose the Right Tools

Choosing the right tools to be your partners during orthodontic treatment is essential. You’ll
need the following items for a proper cleaning:

 A soft-bristled toothbrush. This helps you brush more gently and prevent enamel
damage.

 An interdental cleaner. These cleaners are a second toothbrush of sorts; they’ll help
you brush more efficiently underneath the wires and around the brackets of your
braces.

 Waxed floss. A waxed floss will make it easier to floss your teeth and allow the floss to
glide in and out.

 A floss threader. These little threaders are going to make flossing with bracesmuch
easier!

Now that you have your tools, let’s get cleaning!

Next: Rinse Your Mouth

Before you decide whether to brush or floss first (experts say it doesn’t matter which happens
first as long as you do them both), go ahead and rinse your mouth with water.

Why this step? As we discussed, braces provide lots of extra places for food particles to hide. In
order to make your job of cleaning your teeth and braces easier, it can help to loosen or
remove any food particles by vigorously swishing water around in your mouth.

Now, decide whether you want to brush or floss!

Then: Floss In-between Teeth

Flossing is going to be one of the most challenging parts of having braces, but it’s essential for
removing plaque from those hard-to-reach areas in-between your teeth.

A floss threader can make life with braces much easier. These threaders help the floss go
underneath your wire, allowing you to effectively reach the space between each of your teeth.

Once the threader is underneath the wire, you can remove it and then proceed to floss the
tooth. Pull the floss out when done, and use a clean section for each set of teeth you clean
between.

Although it doesn’t matter whether you floss before or after brushing, experts do recommend
saving flossing for the end of the day to ensure you remove all food particles before sleeping.

Last: Brushing Your Teeth

Finally, place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle down towards the gums. Gently brush your
teeth, your brackets, and your wires to remove plaque. Brush everything that you can reach
with your toothbrush.

For the places your toothbrush doesn’t quite seem to reach, grab your interdental cleaner and
gently brush around the brackets. A quick rinse of the mouth again and you’re done!

Cleaning your teeth with braces might feel like a chore at first, but you’ll get used to this
important practice. All your hard work with be worth it when the braces come off and you have
a smile that’s not only straight, but healthy too!

The post How Should I Brush My Teeth When I Have Braces? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Gums are an integral part of our mouths, helping to support the teeth, protect the tooth roots,
and nurture our smiles. How can you maintain healthy gum tissue?

1. Brush and Floss

Brushing and flossing are among the top things you can do to help your gums. However, how
you brush and floss is just as important as whether or not you brush and floss!
When it comes to gum tissue, gently brushing the gumline at a 45-degree angle can help
remove bacteria that build up near the tooth roots and help prevent gum disease. Never brush
aggressively and always choose a soft-bristled toothbrush to protect the gums rather than
irritating them.

For flossing, use at least 18 inches of floss and use a clean section between every set of teeth.
Floss gently just underneath the gumline to remove plaque, food debris, and bacteria. This can
help your smile remain healthy and prevent gum disease!

2. Visit Your Dentist

Your dentist is going to be a key player when it comes to maintaining healthy gum tissue.
Dentists are trained to spot signs of gum disease in the early stages, so having a professional
check your gums is important.

Getting regular checkups can not only ensure your gum tissue is healthy, but also help you to
cultivate best practices for keeping it healthy. Your dentist can point out areas that you’ve
missed in your smile and also conduct regular cleanings to remove any plaque that has built up
near the gumline.

There’s no substitute for visiting your dentist when it comes to gum health!

3. Avoid Tobacco Products

Although far fewer people smoke today than they did decades ago, tobacco products are still a
threat to our health.

This includes our teeth and gums. Even smokeless tobacco options such as chewing tobacco still
contain nicotine, which can reduce blood supply to the gum tissue and mask symptoms of gum
disease. The same is true for e-cigarettes, which deliver nicotine to the body and can still harm
your gums.

Since these products can mask the symptoms of gum disease, many tobacco users don’t realize
there is a problem until it’s too late. Since gum disease is one of the biggest causes of tooth
loss, this is a serious problem for people around the world.

By avoiding all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, you give your gums their best chance to
remain healthy and give you a beautiful smile for life!

Are your gums as healthy as you would like them to be? Gum tissue is an integral part of our
smiles and provides us with a healthy mouth for life. Consider getting your gums evaluated with
your dentist to ensure they’re healthy and strong!

The post 3 Steps You Can Take to Help Maintain Healthy Gums appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Due to the grooves of teeth and hard-to- reach back teeth, spots get missed and plaque can
build up. When plaque isn’t consistently removed, it can turn into tartar, where it will need to
be removed by a dentist.

The following are important places you should brush in your mouth that many people miss. Are
you missing these places? Read on to find out more!

Gums

Although our teeth are the main focus of our brushing routine, the gumline should get some
attention, too. This is where your gums meet your teeth. Most oral healthcare professionals
recommend brushing with your toothbrush head angled down at a 45-degree angle towards
the gum-line to remove any food and bacteria trapped there.

It’s essential to be gentle when brushing your teeth and gums, especially if you have gum
disease or are experiencing gum recession. Brush carefully, ensuring you clean your gumline
while still giving your teeth enough attention.

Tongue

Many people also neglect to brush their tongue as part of their regular oral care routine.
Brushing your tongue is important—but why?

Your tongue is home to bacteria just like the rest of your mouth. It can cause bad breath when
not regularly cleaned, allowing bacteria and food particles to get trapped by mucus on the
surface of your tongue.

Fortunately, brushing your tongue is simple enough and doesn’t require any additional tools
besides your regular toothbrush. Start in the back of your mouth and brush towards the front
when it comes to your tongue and rinse with water afterwards. You don’t need much pressure
to get your tongue clean with your toothbrush, so again, carefulness and consistency is the best
way!

Back Sides of Front Teeth

While many people are relatively savvy at brushing all sides of their molars, the big teeth in the
back of the mouth, the front teeth are often overlooked.

These missed areas include the back of your front bottom teeth and the back of your front top
teeth, which include your incisors, canines, and laterals. Tartar can easily build up here if you’re
consistently missing these places when you brush.

Yes, brushing behind your front teeth will require some maneuvering with your toothbrush, but
once you get into the habit of it, these places will no longer feel difficult to reach. Beware of
hidden plaque in these areas—if you can feel the fuzzy texture of plaque on the back sides of
your front teeth, be sure not to miss these places when you brush today!

Do you commonly miss these essential places in your mouth to brush? From brushing the
gumline to your tongue to the back sides of your front teeth, getting all these areas is important
for removing plaque. Remember that a professional cleaning every six months can enhance
your oral care routine and ensure you’re not missing any spots!

The post Are You Missing These Important Places When You Brush? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Here’s how you can best protect your teeth and have a beautiful smile this holiday season!

Make Friends with Water

Water is going to be your ally throughout the holiday season. Staying hydrated not only helps your body, but can help your smile immensely. Adequate water intake ensures that your oral bacteria are balanced, therefore cutting down on your risk for cavities.

Water also acts as a buffer between teeth and harmful substances you may have eaten, such as sugar. Combine this with the fact that water can help replenish your saliva and fight bad breath and you just made a new best friend to help you and your beautiful smile make it through the holidays.

Be Aware of Bruxism

The holidays aren’t a happy time for everyone. In fact, they can be quite stressful for some people. Increased stress that’s not being managed could turn into an oral health problem through bruxism, which is the term for teeth grinding.

Teeth grinding is immensely damaging to your smile. It wears away enamel, can cause
inflammation in the gums, and could eventually lead to tooth loss if not treated. Be mindful of your stress load this holiday season. If you’re experiencing headaches, jaw pain, or tooth sensitivity, you could be grinding your teeth and not even know it!

Be Ready to Travel

If you’ll be traveling to see friends or family this holiday season, be sure to pack everything you need to properly care for your teeth. It can be easy to leave behind your toothbrush, floss, or mouthguards for your bruxism.

To ensure you’re ready to travel, keep a spare toothbrush in your suitcase or in your handbag. Floss is small and can easily travel with you, making it ideal to store practically anywhere. Having spares on hand can help you be ready to care for your teeth despite the stress of traveling.

Watch Your Sugar Intake

There are few things that are as damaging to your smile as sugar is, and unfortunately, the holidays tend to be full of sweets! It’s important to watch your sugar intake, as sugar is best consumed only minimally or not at all. If you do choose to enjoy sweets this holiday season, be sure to rinse your mouth with water afterward and wait at least 30 minutes to brush.

This holiday season, you want to be able to show friends and family your most beautiful smile possible. You can help protect your smile throughout the season by drinking plenty of water, keeping an extra toothbrush on hand, consuming sugar in moderation, and being aware of any symptoms of bruxism. Happy Holidays!

The post How to Best Protect Your Smile During the Holiday Season appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.