"Oh no! Not another letter from my dentist telling me I'm not taking care of my teeth!" Perhaps what you are about to read is redundant, but after reading through articles displaying devastating statistics, we had no choice but to refresh your memories.
A recent study that included 10,000 participants, showed that 45% of people go to bed without brushing their teeth. Now, we don't want to sound harsh, but this ISN'T rocket science. From a very early age we are told the very basics of oral hygiene:
1) Brush with tooth paste twice per day, preferably morning & night
2) Floss in between your teeth once per day
As basic as these two steps are, so many people are not doing them; and 91% admitted to fully understanding the consequences of neglecting their mouths.
If we are clear that without brushing and flossing, we become prone to gum disease, which leads to periodontal disease, which means bone loss and tooth loss, and of course the painful cavities & other tooth & gum pain... why are we not taking care of our teeth?
40% say they are just too tired to get that second brushing in.
Another 30% actually admitted to just being lazy.
They are one in the same when you break down the benefits of regular brushing and flossing.
Please understand, our number one goal is NOT to fill your cavities, crown your teeth, or make your dentures. Our number one goal is to educate & inspire each person to go home and brush and floss properly. So that the only time you are coming to see us, is for your regular cleanings.
This being said, here is a reminder of how we should be brushing our teeth:
1) Use a soft bristled tooth brush, tooth paste (if recommended by dentist it may be RX strength.) Brush twice per day; if brushing after you eat/drink, it is best to wait 40 minutes before brushing. Keep in mind while brushing: you are not scrubbing the bathroom floor, you are cleaning your teeth and gum tissues- be gentle but thorough! Use slow circular motions and angle your tooth brush bristles slightly upward toward the gum line. Get the outsides, insides, and chewing surface of every tooth- nobody likes being left out!
2) Floss! If you bleed, it means keep flossing. The more consistently you floss, the less you will bleed. Push your floss below the gum line, and hug the sides of the teeth as you bring it out.
If you are looking for a better tooth brush, the entire team at Jordan & Young Dental are advocates of the Sonicare. We've seen amazing improvement in our patients oral health once they've invested in this tooth brush and committed to brushing 2 times per day.