There’s more than one smart way to brush your teeth.
But is there a clear better way? One of the great dental debates is manual toothbrushes vs. electric toothbrushes. One is a trusted, reliable, proven tooth cleaner. One is a technologically advanced cleaning method that provides in-depth and thorough tooth care.
As the American Dental Association (ADA) notes, both electric and manual toothbrushes [ . . . ]
When it comes to a tooth, gray is a scary color indicating oral health issues and aging, worn-down teeth. Gray teeth sometimes happen through no fault of their owners.
“For some people, no matter how often they brush and floss, their teeth never turn that pearly white,” Colgate.com’s Jenny Green notes.
But why do teeth turn gray?
For older Americans, the reason [ . . . ]
Although retainers don’t get the credit and attention that braces do, this important oral appliance greatly aids in the final steps to keep teeth straight. Retainers are customized mouthpieces that stabilize the position of teeth.
Recommended by orthodontists as the last phase of orthodontic treatment, retainers are [ . . . ]
Clear braces or metal braces? It’s a decision that is about much more than a color tone, and one you don’t want to flip a coin over.
Clear, or ceramic braces, are a popular alternative to traditional metal braces. But are clear braces better than the tried-and-true metal braces? The answer is not straightforward.
Traditional metal braces, while [ . . . ]
Gingivitis and Periodontitis, two words you do not want coming out of your dentist’s mouth at your next checkup. We’ll pause to let everyone take a deep breath here.
Their unpleasant names alone are enough to scare anyone hoping to emerge from their next dental exam with a clean bill of oral health into brushing and flossing more thoroughly and regularly. But what is the difference [ . . . ]
Charcoal isn’t just for grilling anymore.
Today, the popular cooking mainstay of America’s backyard grills is being used as an ingredient for everything from drinks to skin care to hair care. Believe it or not, people coast to coast are turning to “natural” charcoal toothpastes to whiten their teeth. A brushing method first practiced by the ancient [ . . . ]
Dental care and knowledge has come a long, long way over the last 5,000 years. Today, Americans are spending on average 38.5 total days of their lives brushing their teeth, a time investment that can lead to a lifetime of strong oral health. Nearly all Americans know the immense benefits of teeth brushing, but do you know these lesser known facts about teeth?
Knowledge is power, and these facts [ . . . ]
By Clete Campbell
Too much toothpaste can be dangerous to kids’ oral health.
Say what, Doc?
Parents may do a double take at the news, but the U.S. Centers for Disease Controls and Preventions reports America’s children are brushing their teeth with so much toothpaste that it’s unhealthy.
A CDC study released February 1 found nearly 40 percent of kids ages 3 to 6 use more toothpaste [ . . . ]
Left unchecked without moderation in consumption, citric acid is gasoline on teeth, mixing as well as oil and water, wildfires and homes.
What tastes
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Toothbrushing is one of those routine daily exercises most of us don’t give a second thought to. To be honest, I’m often on autopilot while brushing my teeth.
But just going through the motions while brushing our teeth is a prime missed opportunity to protect our teeth from cavities and plaque, but also to improve our general overall oral health. Sleepy toothbrushing leads to missed plaque, overlooked trouble spots, and, sadly, preventable cavities. And we all know the potential painful nightmares poor dental hygiene can create.
“Diseases such as gum disease, oral cancer and terrifyingly horrible breath (which is often an indication of other oral problems) can invade your mouth and make your life a living hell,” Sam Cohen of the Huffington Post stresses.
That’s why it’s good to check in regularly with America’s dental hygiene experts. Dental hygienists, those friendly, hard-working soldiers who man the front lines working to help their patients properly care for their teeth, could write an entire series of books on the importance of good oral health. There’s no better time than October, National Dental Hygiene Month, to focus on the tips dental hygienists say, can make our own toothbrushing and dental hygiene great again.
As Colgate.com notes, there are five essential elements to the proper toothbrushing technique:
All of these toothbrushing practices should be observed every time we brush, along with the Golden Rule of Toothbrushing: Brush twice a day for two minutes with a soft-bristled brush.
But remember, toothbrushing is not the be-all and end-all of comprehensive dental hygiene care.
“Brushing can clean the surface of the teeth, but it cannot do the same for the spaces in between teeth,” Cohen notes.
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