When we are children that's one of the first things our parents teach us: to brush
our teeth – it's actually one of the first “health habits” we are taught as kids.
To brush your teeth is most elementary and effective way to take care of your teeth
and to have them and your gums healthy for life. But it needs to be a habit – it
needs to be something you do every day of your life, even if you like or not.
It's fascinating how regularly adults let their tooth brushing to pass away. Or
they just forget which one is the right technique to brush them, or how many times
they should do it.
Do you have any idea how many times a day do you have to brush your teeth? Take
this quiz now to find out...
People need to brush their teeth:
- At least once a week
- Every day - in the morning
- Every day - at night
- Every day, but only after lunch
- Every day – twice a day – at night and in the morning
The right answer for that is : e!
The ADA (American Dental Association) suggest people should brush their teeth two
times a day – one of them before going to bed and the other one in the morning.
To brush your teeth at night improves to get rid of bacteria and preserves your
mouth clean while you're sleeping. To brush your teeth in the morning improves your
breath and gets rid of any bacteria that grew up during the night.
But what would happen if you only brush once a day and you forget to do it again?
If that happens – but try to brush your teeth two times a day – brush them at night
before going to sleep. Why? During the time you're sleeping, the bacteria in your
mouth are laying in there. That's why is so important to brush them, at least, at
night.
As an example, if you have a soda, or eat something with sugar before going to bed,
and then you go to sleep without having brush your teeth, you're letting the bacteria
to be there all night without supervision!
But, if you brush them at night, you're getting a start in battling those bacterias
that stays inside your mouth all night. You're preventing they damage your teeth
and gums!
In addition of brushing your teeth, the ADA suggests that you floss one time a day
also. It's important to floss also because it keeps your teeth clean between each
one of them and also keeps your gums healthy. To floss keeps your gums in shape
because if you don't do it, they might bleed which can be a sign of a possible gum
disease.
Dentists and dental hygienists always take a firm stand on the importance of flossing,
and recommend doing it at least twice a day. Here are 6 very good reasons why you
should listen to them:
- To prevent tooth decay: Dental plaque can cause cavities if it’s
left between teeth. When mixed with sugar, the bacteria that live in plaque can
start the process of tooth decay. This is why it’s bad for plaque to be left in
your mouth. Brushing alone does not clean in between teeth, only dental floss can
remove plaque in those areas.
- To prevent gum disease: Gingivitis (inflammation of gums) is the
first stage of gum disease (periodontal disease). It is caused by an accumulation
of plaque around gums and between teeth. Plaque also contains bacteria that are
harmful for the gums. Flossing is therefore important to remove all plaque accumulated
after a meal.
- To prevent halitosis: Dental plaque is one of the causes of halitosis,
and if it’s left between your teeth, it will generate a bad smell in your mouth.
This odour comes from the metabolism of the bacteria contained in plaque. Bad breath
can also be caused by gum disease and tooth decay which are also primarily caused
by plaque.
- To prevent tartar build-up: Tartar is actually dental plaque that
has become hard from the saliva’s calcifying action. Good oral hygiene measures,
which include brushing and flossing, can slow down the accumulation of tartar, but
does not actually remove it. Some people produce tartar more than others. Regular
dental cleanings are recommended to remove tartar.
- To reduce the risk of heart disease: As mentioned earlier, the
mouth is an entry point to harmful bacteria that may eventually reach the body organs,
including cardiac tissue. Dental plaque, which contains dangerous bacteria, must
be therefore eliminated to prevent those micro-organisms to reach the heart through
the blood stream and cause heart disease complications.
- To avoid the complications of diabetes: There is scientific evidence
that people who suffer from diabetes can have their condition complicated by gum
disease. Diabetics usually have a weaker immune system and take more time to fight
inflammations and infections, including the ones that start in the mouth. That’s
why oral hygiene, which includes daily brushing and flossing, is very important
to prevent diseases, or disease complications, such as diabetes.
Schedule an appointment today with our dentist in Huntington Beach ... Call (714) 848-4247
Location: 18652 Florida St #300, Huntington Beach, CA 92648