Our work as a Gresham family dentist means that we do a lot of teeth cleaning. But what we do doesn’t count for much without diligent care at home.

Fun fact of the day, did you know that 25% of adults do not brush their teeth twice a day, increasing their risk of developing tooth decay by 33%? That is crazy! A simple 2 extra minutes a day could wind up saving you nearly 250 dollars for a filling or $1000 for a dental crown.

Navigate below for a few key topics which will give you solid information on how to clean your own teeth. If you have any questions or any more urgent needs, please feel free to give us a call and set up an appointment.

Some Popular “Healthy” Habits May Actually Cause Harm

Business Insider (11/29, Praderio) states that over time, “myths and misinformation have given rise to a swath of ‘healthy’ habits that are popular but not actually backed up by science,” and some of these habits may “actually backfire and harm your body.”

The article lists 17 of these habits, including brushing teeth immediately after eating. The article reports “the American Dental Association (ADA) says you should wait at least 30 minutes to brush after eating, especially if you had something acidic.” The list also includes drinking lemon water each day. The article explains that although “Pinterest posts tout the ‘benefits’ of lemon water,” it can’t actually do most of what these posts claim, such as detoxing and balancing pH levels. The article adds that lemon water can also erode enamel, according to the ADA. Learning how to clean your own teeth properly is key to success.

5 Brushing Habits to Break

When it comes to cleaning your own teeth, there are some rules to follow to ensure success.

1. Limit the pressure the place on your brush vs. your teeth

It should rest on your teeth with a circular motion. Too much pressure can result in the degradation of your gums.

2. Keeping Your Toothbrush for Too Long

Did you know the average life of a toothbrush is 3-4 months? Make a resolution to change your toothbrush with every season this year. Frayed and broken bristles won’t keep your teeth clean—these are signs it’s time to let go. When you’re shopping, look for one with the ADA Seal of Acceptance.

3. Not Brushing Long Enough

Speed demons, listen up! Your teeth should be brushed for a full two minutes, twice per day. Most of us fall short —the average time most people spend brushing is 45 seconds. If you’re racing through cleaning, try setting a timer. Or distract yourself by humming your favorite tune!

4. Brushing Too Hard

Be gentle with your teeth. You may think brushing harder will remove more leftover food and the bacteria that loves to eat it, but a gentle brushing is all that’s needed. Too much pressure may wear down the hard outer shell on your teeth and damage your gums.

5. Brushing Right After Eating

If you feel the need to clean your teeth after eating or drinking, wait at least 30 minutes before brushing—especially if you have had something acidic like lemons, grapefruit or soda. Drink water or chew sugarless gum with the ADA Seal of Acceptance to help clean your mouth while you are waiting to brush.

Five Tips To Help Keep Your Teeth Healthy

Our teeth are something many of us take for granted, and yet we never give any thought or regard to the challenges they face on a daily basis. Our teeth are exposed to all manner of potentially damaging situations every day, and although we cannot prevent decay or damage outside of our control, we can implement ideas and concepts to minimize the risk. This article aims to provide our readers with easy to follow tips which, if followed will drastically reduce the risk to your teeth.

1. Brush Your Teeth Twice A Day and Always Before Going To Bed

Everyone is aware of the importance of brushing your teeth twice a day, but the brush before going to bed is the one most people claim to be a little lax at completing. Cleaning your teeth before bed is an important routine to get into, and one that parents should teach their children. The main reason for brushing your teeth last thing at night is that it gets rid of the germs and plaque, that will inevitably have accumulated during the day.

2. Make Sure To Clean Your Tongue

Cleaning your tongue is an essential part of your oral hygiene, but it is one of the things that many people neglect. By not cleaning your tongue, you are increasing the chances of bad breath, and potentially laying the foundations for other oral health problems in the future.

3. Learn How To Brush Properly

Brushing your teeth properly is a skill that needs to be practiced. Our patients can book an appointment with our dental hygienist to learn how to brush their teeth properly. The key factors to consider, include taking your time, the process should take no less than three minutes, moving the toothbrush in a circular motion, and paying equal attention to all areas of your mouth.

4. Flossing Is As Important As Brushing

While everyone is well aware of the benefits of brushing their teeth, the number of people who floss their teeth daily is significantly lower. Flossing may be more challenging, and can occasionally be painful, but other than removing trapped pieces of food it delivers numerous other benefits. These include stimulating your gums, reducing plaque, and helping to lower inflammation.

5. Mouthwashes Help To Reach The Places Where Brushing, and Flossing Cannot Reach

Many of our patients ask questions about the benefits of mouthwashes, often thinking that they are just a marketing type product from the manufacturers with no real benefit. Nothing could be further from the truth. Mouthwashes deliver numerous benefits, particularly to children or elderly people who may not have the skill or dexterity to clean their teeth properly. However, everyone can benefit from using mouthwash in the following ways: mouthwash reduces the amount of acid in the mouth, it cleans hard to reach areas around the mouth, including between the teeth, and it helps to remineralize the teeth.

Many of the ideas and concepts mentioned above can be developed into habits. Studies show that if you can perform a task for thirty days in a row, it will become a habit. Our advice for every member of your family is to try and follow all of the tips above religiously for thirty days, as this will set you on the path to having an excellent dental hygiene regime.

Five Oral Habits that are Really Good for Your Teeth

Keeping your teeth and gums healthy is something that should be a priority for everyone. Tooth decay can be painful, and in the long term it could lead to a need for fillings, crowns, or inlays. As with many things in life, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. So let’s look at five easy-to-follow daily dental hygiene habits which can help you learn to clean your own teeth.

1. Regularly Brush Your Teeth

Your teeth are constantly under attack from bacteria, which is why it is important to brush them regularly with a fluoride toothpaste. You should brush your teeth at least twice a day, with the priority being at night. But note: simply putting a brush in your mouth is not sufficient. The technique of brushing your teeth is critically important. Make sure to use small circular motions, and ensure that all of your teeth are cleaned on each face of the tooth. You should look to spend at least two to three minutes to clean your entire mouth.

2. Floss Daily

Flossing should be an essential part of your oral hygiene regimen. It helps to remove plaque and bacteria from between the teeth in areas where your toothbrush does not reach. Another important benefit is that it helps to prevent bad breath, as it removes debris and little pieces of food which have become caught between your teeth. Once again, technique is important when flossing. Focus on gently pushing the floss all the way from the top of each tooth to the gum line. Then slowly hug the side of the tooth and move the floss up and down. Take your time, and don’t use too much force, as this can cause pain and is unlikely to be effective.

3. Use a Mouthwash

However conscientious about brushing you are, there will always be areas within your mouth that cannot be reached by the brush. Some medical studies have found that using a mouthwash can benefit your oral health. Look for mouthwashes containing chlorhexidine, which is an antibacterial agent. This has been found to help control plaque and gingivitis which is a form of gum disease. That being said, remember that while mouthwash can compliment your oral health, it is not a replacement for brushing or flossing.

4. Stop Smoking

If you are a smoker, then apart from the other well-publicized health benefits of quitting, it is also very helpful to your oral hygiene. Smoking has a negative effect on the body’s immune system, which can make it more challenging for your body to repair any damaged tissues, including those in your mouth. There is also an increased risk of gum disease. Even with good care, smokers may experience a slower healing process than non-smokers after any dental treatment. By the way: this does not simply apply to tobacco-based cigarettes. Nicotine in any form – including vaping and chew – has a negative effect on your oral health. Smoking marijuana cigarettes is also not a good choice for your mouth and teeth.

5. Visit a Dentist Regularly

However good your oral routine, there is always the potential that problems can develop. Sometimes genetic factors can set you up for dental pain just as much as your habits. The best way to ensure that any potential issues are caught early is to visit your local Gresham dentist every 6 months for a professional cleaning and examination.

By following these simple steps you will keep your dental hygiene at its peak and help to ensure you retain a sparkling smile. If you have any questions or are overdue for a checkup, the team at Main Street Dental Gresham is standing by to help. Give us a call, send us an email, or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Yelp.

Use Technology to Keep Your Teeth Health

OUR SMARTPHONES are never farther than an arm’s length away and help us do everything from track our calendars to track our calories. Today, we want to show you the wonders they can do for our daily hygiene routines with the help of these apps!

Dental Expert

We may only see you twice a year, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a “dental expert” by your side every day. The Dental Expert app acts as a patient’s guide to understanding different dental procedures. This app includes a frequently asked questions answered by actual dentists. It also has sections discussing myths vs. facts and things that can improve your smile.

Brush DJ

Brushing for two minutes, twice a day is an important part of your oral hygiene routine. It can sometimes be hard to keep track of the time, so why not get some help from your favorite songs with Brush DJ!

Brush DJ is a free app that will play 2 minutes of music from your music library. It also has a visual display guiding you on where to brush and for how long. Brush DJ also lets you set reminders to change your toothbrush, floss and go to regular dental appointments.

Chomper Chums

Getting your child excited about brushing their teeth can sometimes take a bit of creativity. Luckily, Chomper Chums® has you covered. Chomper Chums is a dental hygiene focused app designed to help parents teach children proper brushing techniques while keeping them engaged and entertained.

Children earn rewards within the app for brushing their teeth which they then use to buy food or drinks for their virtual Chomper Chums pet. Don’t worry though, this is a free app and no actual money is used to buy their virtual pals’ treats! The app encourages children to choose healthy food for their on-screen friends as well, so they learn about healthy eating choices in addition to building better oral hygiene habits.

BracesHelp

BracesHelp is an iPhone app for people who have or are considering getting braces. This app has helpful tips, videos and pictures on how to care for braces. It also has information on what to do if you are having troubles with your braces. If used in conjunction with tips you receive during your regular orthodontic appointments, you will have all of the help you need on your smile-makeover journey.

Have You Used One Of These Apps?

Or, do you know of other great dental apps for your smartphone or tablet? Comment and share below! And if you decide to try out one of the apps above, let us know how you like it!