A Look Inside My Bathroom

People ask me all the time about my brushing habits.  So I took a picture of my actual bathroom brushing tools. Let's go through them, and I'll explain my routine.   Keep in mind that brushing your teeth is an important part of your dental care routine. For a healthy mouth and smile I recommend you:

• Brush your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled brush. The size and shape of your brush should fit your mouth allowing you to reach all areas easily.
• Replace your toothbrush every three or four months, or sooner if the bristles are frayed. A worn toothbrush won’t do a good job of cleaning your teeth.
• Make sure to use an ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste.

Back to the photo.  The two brushes on the left are both mine.  They are both soft-bristle brushes, which are the best because they have less erosive effect on tooth and gum structure.  Why do I have two?  I get them cheap.

The green brush is my husband's, which is a medium brush, because he likes it better, but as long as he's brushing, it's a good thing.  I tell him not to brush too hard.

The electric toothbrush is a Philips Sonicare they sent me to try out.  Frankly, I prefer manual toothbrushes myself, but they do a great job.  My husband likes it and that's the one he uses at night before going to bed.  He still has his wisdom teeth, and it makes it easier to clean them, especially in the very back, which is harder with a manual brush.

As to the toothpastes, we use two.  The Colgate is our morning toothpaste, as it's a good, gentle, everyday cleaning toothpaste, that I think works well.  I also brush after lunch, and I use it for that, too.  The Fluoridex is by prescription only, and it is high in fluoride, used to remineralize the teeth.  We use it at night because it gives the fluoride longer effect.  Tip:  After brushing and rinsing, I put a little more on the brush and apply it on all my tooth surfaces, then spit out any excess without rinsing to maximize the fluoride treatment.

The proper brushing technique is to:

• Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums. 
• Gently move the brush back and forth in short (tooth-wide) strokes. 
• Brush the outer surfaces, the inner surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.
• To clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, tilt the brush vertically and make several up-and-down strokes.
• Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and keep your breath fresh.

Of course, brushing your teeth is only a part of a complete dental care routine. And you see floss in the picture.  You should also make sure to:

• Clean between teeth daily with floss. Tooth decay-causing bacteria still linger between teeth where toothbrush bristles can’t reach. This helps remove plaque and food particles from between the teeth and under the gum line.
• Eat a balanced diet and limit between-meal snacks.
• Visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and oral exams. 

Finally, the mirror and the pick.  Don't use them.  The pick can do damage if you're not careful.  But since I know what I'm doing, I examine my mouth with them quite frequently to stay ahead of anything that could develop.

And if you want a graphic reminder of how to brush, here's one from the ADA.

Keep smiling,

 

Dr. Elzbieta W. Basil, DMD is a private practice dentist with offices in West Hartford Center and Downtown New Britain, Connecticut.  She is a Clinical Instructor at the UConn School of Dental Medicine, and has won several awards naming her regional “Best Dentist” and “Top Dentist.” She is an active member of the Connecticut State Dental Association and the American Dental Association. Tel: 860-561-2121