As your dentist in Edmond will tell you, toothbrushing is one of the most important habits you can develop to maintain marvelous oral health. Regular toothbrushing helps to remove plaque and food particles from the teeth and gums, reducing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.  However, not all toothbrushing methods are created equal. Let’s discuss the dos and don’ts of toothbrushing to ensure that you’re taking care of that beautiful smile. Do Brush Twice a Day Let’s start with the basics: brush your teeth twice a day, probably once in the morning and once before bed. As you know, brushing helps to remove plaque and food particles that accumulate on the teeth and gums throughout the day. Brushing with a toothbrush and dentist-approved toothpaste twice a day establishes a daily oral hygiene routine. By brushing in the morning and before bed, you’ll keep your mouth clean throughout the day. You’ll also keep your Edmond dentist happy. If you can squeeze in a third brushing session after lunch, that’s great too! Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle from your teeth and gums. Gently clean each tooth with a short back-and-forth motion. And make sure you get the front, back, and chewing surface of each tooth. Do Use a Soft-Bristled Toothbrush Select a toothbrush with soft bristles. Hard-bristled toothbrushes can be too abrasive for the teeth and gums, causing damage to the enamel and increasing the risk of gum irritation and bleeding. No fun. Soft-bristled toothbrushes are gentle on the teeth and gums, making them a better choice for regular brushing. Do Brush for Two Minutes Brush for at least two minutes each time you brush. Two minutes seem like an eternity the first time you track it, but it’s essential to take the time to brush each tooth thoroughly. Try using a timer to keep track of your brushing time, or listen to a song that’s about two minutes long. Songs are especially helpful to keep kids brushing for the entire time. Don’t Brush Too Hard Even when you’re using a soft brush, be careful not to brush too hard. Brushing too hard can cause damage to the enamel and increase the risk of gum irritation and bleeding. To avoid brushing too hard, use a gentle circular motion, making sure to not to apply too much pressure. Your dentist in Edmond can tell you: if you notice your bristles bending and wearing out before three months, ease up on the intensity.  Don’t Brush Immediately After Eating or Drinking Acidic Foods Wait 30 minutes after eating or drinking acidic foods before brushing your teeth. (Yes, that includes your morning coffee.) Acidic foods and drinks can soften the enamel, making them more susceptible to damage. Brushing your teeth immediately after drinking a can of pop will wear away at enamel. And you can’t get that back. Don’t Forget Your Tongue Bacteria can accumulate on the tongue, causing bad breath and potentially contributing to gum disease. Use your toothbrush or a tongue scraper to take a few moments to clean your tongue. Simply brush or scrape your tongue gently, making sure to remove any plaque or food particles.  Don’t Share Toothbrushes Sharing toothbrushes can increase the risk of spreading germs and bacteria. Especially not during cold and flu season. (Yikes!) Each person’s mouth is unique, and toothbrushes can collect bacteria and other particles that are specific to that person. Those aren’t things you want to share with loved ones, no matter how close you are. Edmond Oklahoma Dental Toothbrushing is an important habit that maintains oral health and prevents tooth decay and gum disease. You can effectively remove plaque and food particles by brushing twice a day and using the proper techniques. Sounds easy, right? It is, when you know what to do!Questions? Just check in with your Edmond dentist’s office at Santa Fe Dental. We’ll be happy to answer your concerns.

In the fight against plaque and dental decay, a toothbrush is your most essential tool. While most of the patients at our Edmond dental office brush daily to keep their teeth clean, not as many clean their toothbrushes as regularly. Let’s look at the how and why you need to keep your toothbrush clean. Bacteria and Your Toothbrush Your mouth is host to millions if not billions of bacteria. When you brush your tongue and teeth, the food debris, bacteria, saliva, and toothpaste remain on your toothbrush. Studies have shown that even after rinsing a toothbrush off with water, it can still be contaminated with various microorganisms. Researchers say that thousands of different microorganisms can grow the bristles and handle of a toothbrush. While many of these organisms are harmless and grow naturally in the mouth, some can cause illnesses. Researchers say that no evidence suggests that using a toothbrush with normal bacteria will cause oral infections or other health problems. But it’s still a good idea to keep your toothbrush clean. After all, it goes in your mouth, so the fewer foreign substances, the better. How to Disinfect Your Toothbrush First, let’s start by saying you should never put your toothbrush in the microwave or the dishwasher. Both options may cause your toothbrush to melt or damage it somehow. Instead, try one of the following methods recommended by the dentists at our Edmond dental office: UV sanitizer. One study showed that an ultraviolet toothbrush sanitizer is more effective at cleaning a toothbrush than an antiseptic mouthwash or saline. A UV light would be the gold standard for keeping your brush clean, but it is a little bit of an overkill. Disinfecting solutions. Research has shown that soaking your toothbrush in a 3 percent hydrogen peroxide solution will kill lingering bacteria. To use and make this solution: Mix 1 teaspoon of peroxide with a cup of water Soak the bristles of your toothbrush in the solution for 15 minutes Rinse your toothbrush thoroughly in clean water before using If you decide to use this method, make sure you change the solution every day For a more straightforward solution, you can also disinfect your toothbrush was swirling it in an antimicrobial mouthwash for 30 seconds. If you don’t have mouthwash, you can mix two teaspoons of baking soda into a cup of water instead. Keeping Your Toothbrush Clean By keeping your toothbrush after each use, you reduce the number of bacteria that can build up to cause you trouble. Rinse with hot water. After brushing, take a few seconds to rinse your toothbrush with hot water. This will help to soften the bristles and release any lingering food particles or toothpaste. Rub your thumb over the bristles under the water, and then rinse the brush again in cold water so the bristles firm up. Air dry your brush. A moist environment promotes the growth of bacteria like mold. Studies have shown that toothbrushes stored in a closed container, travel case, or cover have more bacteria when compared to brushes allowed to air dry. Ideally, the best place to store your toothbrush is standing up with the bristles fully exposed. Tips Store your toothbrush away from the toilet. Fine droplets of toilet water are propelled into the air every time you flush the toilet. These droplets can linger in the air for up to two hours, and it’s best not to think too hard about what they may contain. If you can’t move your toothbrush far away from the toilet, always shut the lid before flushing to minimize droplet spread. Keep the area around your brush clean. It makes no sense to clean your brush if you lay it on a dirty surface once done. Use disposable wipes to keep the area around your brush free of dirt, dried toothpaste, and other slimy items that could contaminate. Change your brush every 2 to 3 months. Daily use will wear down your toothbrush, making it less effective at cleaning your teeth. It’s a good idea to change out your brush every 2 to 2 months. If you need a new brush, we can provide you with one during your next visit to our Edmond dental office.