Webster Family Dental | Webster Family Dental

February 26, 2020February 23, 2020 by Webster Family Dental

A key part of good oral and dental care is making sure you’re using the proper tooth brushing techniques. Without the right methods in place, you could be missing out on the benefits of having a squeaky clean mouth.

Even if you think you’re brushing your teeth the right way, there are a few techniques you might not be aware of that can improve your daily routine.

Read on for a list of seven tooth brushing techniques that will give you perfect results every time you pick up your toothbrush.

1. Be Gentle

You might think that the harder you brush your teeth, the more plaque and debris you’ll remove. However, using a “hard” bristled toothbrush or scrubbing too vigorously can do more harm than good.

Switch out your current toothbrush with one that uses soft bristles. Use a gentle motion as you brush your teeth and avoid scrubbing too rough on the teeth and gums.

Take your time when you brush your teeth and make sure you’re covering the entire mouth from back to front. When you go gentle, it’s much easier on the tender gum tissue and more effective than rigorous scrubbing.

2. Develop a Tooth Brushing Routine

It can be easy to skip oral care, especially if you’re living a busy lifestyle. Make time to brush your teeth twice per day, and floss at least once each day.

When you brush your teeth, you should do so for at least two full minutes or more. Use a timer to help you count the seconds, and continue brushing at least until you reach the two-minute mark.

Bring a spare tube of toothpaste and toothbrush with you to work and keep it inside your desk drawer if you’re worried about time constraints. Once you develop a regular routine, it’s easy to make brushing your teeth part of your daily and nightly rituals.

3. Consider Switching to Electric

For years, a regular or manual toothbrush was considered the standard, but today’s electric toothbrushes are far superior. Make the switch from manual to electric so you can experience an amazing difference in the way your mouth looks and feels.

If you’re concerned about price, there are several manufacturers who sell electric toothbrushes at a reasonable price. These dental tools do an amazing job of thoroughly scrubbing plaque away from the teeth and along the gumline.

Electric toothbrushes take some getting used to, but they’re well worth the investment. Just make sure you change the brush head on a regular basis for hygiene reasons and because they can be less effective over time as they wear out.

4. Follow Simple Flossing Tips

Flossing is a great way to remove excess plaque and food from in-between your teeth. Ideally, you should floss once per day using a high-quality coated floss.

When you use dental floss, be very gentle and use a back-and-forth motion. Use a new section of the floss whenever you start to go between a new tooth.

After you’re done flossing, follow up with a good oral rinse. Avoid mouthwashes that contain alcohol since they can cause dry mouth which results in bad breath and a feeling of being dehydrated. If you don’t have mouthwash, rinsing with water will do.

5. Pay Attention to Your Entire Mouth

It’s easy to just put the focus on the front teeth when you brush since they’re the ones you can see. However, neglecting your molars and back teeth can result in cavities and other oral health issues.

Start your tooth brushing from the back and slowly work your way toward the front. This will ensure that you’re getting every single tooth and not neglecting the all-important back teeth.

Another great way to remember to brush each tooth is to start the process in sections. Spend time brushing the back quadrants of your mouth, then graduate toward the front quadrants. Use a timer to make sure you’re brushing each section of your mouth equally.

6. Use the Correct Angle

A common tooth brushing mistake is that people tend to brush directly on the teeth with the toothbrush placed flat on the teeth’s surface. Instead, use a 45-degree angle whenever you brush and start at the gumline.

As you move the brush, go back and forth in short strokes across each tooth. Brush your outer, inner, and chewing surfaces to make sure you’ve covered every surface.

When you focus on the inside surfaces of your front teeth, make sure you tilt the brush vertically. Use several up-and-down strokes to get this difficult spot clean. When you use the proper angle as you brush, it makes a big difference in how effective your tooth brushing is.

7. Remember the Tongue and Cheeks

Your tongue can be a safe harbor for germs and food particles to sit, which can promote tooth decay. Use a tongue scraper to gently remove any excess “gunk” that could be left on your tongue.

Another way to clean your mouth better is to also brush the inside of your cheeks. This isn’t something that many people think about, but it can make your entire mouth feel cleaner.

Focus on the tongue and inside of your cheeks at least once a day if you can. When you scrape away the excess “stuff,” your entire mouth will feel better.

Brush Wisely

Now that you know some effective tooth brushing tips, you can enjoy a cleaner, healthier mouth. Make time to brush and floss daily and try an electric toothbrush for a more effective clean.

Be gentle with your teeth and gums with a soft-bristled brush. Practice other good habits like flossing, scraping your tongue and brushing for two minutes.

For more on dental care or to schedule an appointment, visit our website today.

February 26, 2020January 20, 2020 by Webster Family Dental

Did you know that 20 percent of children from the ages of 2 to 11 have at least one cavity that hasn’t even been treated?

After a kid loses their baby teeth, they’re stuck with the same teeth for life. This is why it’s important for children to develop effective and healthy habits related to oral hygiene.

After their seventh Halloween celebration involving massive amounts of candy, the last thing they’ll want to hear is that 90 percent of their teeth have cavities. A child should be able to smile confidently far into late adulthood without worrying about the difficulties involved with getting premature dentures. Fortunately, there are many teeth brushing apps out there to help your kid get into the habit of caring for their teeth on a regular basis.

Keep reading to learn all about 5 teeth brushing apps for kids.

1. Brush Your Teeth App

Made by Concappt Media, this teeth brushing app is a wonderful tool for children to get in the habit of brushing two times a day. What’s particularly great about this app is that your child can pick one of several different animals that can brush their teeth alongside them.

Whether it’s a goofy horse or a cute and furry dog, everything is more fun when you can do it with a friend. It’s often best to learn a new skill by teaching it to someone else, which is why the app allows your child to choose what their favorite animal has eaten and then squeeze toothpaste onto the bristles of their toothbrush.

After your child has helped their animal friend, then they can do it too and brush together.

2. Disney Magic Timer App

If your child loves Disney characters more than they love animals, then they’ll go wild for the Disney Magic Timer tooth brushing app. Disney has a wealth of characters that come from all the movies and TV shows that have been made, such as Disney princesses, Marvel superheroes, and even Star Wars Jedi Masters.

Your kid can pick from some of these iconic characters and then brush their teeth with them. The longer your kids use the app, the more characters they can unlock, which will give them an incentive to use it regularly.

Best of all, the app uses a timer so that kids can know how long they’re brushing their teeth for during each session. Both children and adults should brush their teeth for 2 minutes to ensure that every tooth is properly cleaned.

Keep in mind that because this app was made in conjunction with Oral-B and Crest, you’ll have to own their brand of toothbrush in order to use the app.

3. Luca Lashes eBook App

If your child simply adores storytelling and reading, then they may have already heard about the Luca Lashes eBook series which teaches children healthy brushing habits.

If not, this teeth cleaning app is a great way to enhance their brushing experience so that they can get excited about getting their pearly whites squeaky clean. The story involves Luca Lashes as he learns to brush his teeth, so your child won’t feel alone when they have to learn to brush their teeth as well.

Stories can speak to children and adults in profound ways. With this in mind, downloading the Luca Lashes eBook app can make your child feel like they are part of the narrative each time they brush their teeth.

4. Brusheez: Little Monsters Toothbrush App

Perhaps your child doesn’t care so much about Disney princesses, superheroes, and animals, then they might enjoy an app that features cartoon monsters. Your little sci-fi buff in the making will love brushing their teeth with weird, animated monsters.

Another thing that makes this tooth brushing timer app uniques is that the kids can customize their monster. By changing the cartoon monster’s hair and clothes, your child can have a monster that is uniquely theirs rather than something that is simply predesigned.

An added bonus is that the children are able to play with their monsters for a short while before they actually get into the business of brushing their teeth. Once they do begin the brushing, their unique little monster will guide them step by step while also singing to them and timing them for the recommended 2 minutes each session.

5. Brush DJ App

When it comes to teeth brushing apps for kids, you can’t go wrong with the Brush DJ app. Maybe your kid wants to be a dancer or singer when they grow up. Perhaps they simply love music.

The wonderful concept of the Brush DJ app is that it can connect to your iPad, iPhone, or another device so that your kid can dance in the morning and evening as they practice their oral hygiene routine.

Whatever their favorite song is, as long as you have it on your device, you can play it for them during the dentist-suggested time frame of 2 minutes of brushing. Additionally, you make a playlist with them so they can be entertained by multiple songs rather than the same one again and again.

Additionally, the app will keep your child informed about when its time to replace their toothbrush and even remind them of upcoming dental appointments.

Are You Ready to Use One of These Teeth Brushing Apps?

Now that you know all about 5 teeth brushing apps for kids, you can help your child develop the best oral hygiene habits so they can always have a shiny and healthy smile.

With regular cleanings and checkups, the experienced dentists at Webster Family Dental can ensure that you and your kid’s teeth are as healthy as can be. From cosmetic dentistry to emergency dentistry and more, we take pride in giving families confident and radiant smiles. Feel free to contact us if you have questions about our highly-rated services.

March 3, 2023December 3, 2019 by Webster Family Dental

Couple giving two young children piggyback rides smiling

Do you get tired of brushing your teeth? Do you take time to floss or use mouth wash? Does it really seem that important?

According to the Oral Health Surveillance Report 2019, 9 in 10 adults had dental cavities. In addition, 1 in 4 adults had untreated tooth decay. Do these numbers surprise you?

Your family may not have emphasized oral hygiene when you were growing up. They may not have had dental insurance for regular checkups. Even if this is true, your teeth and gums are not a lost cause.

Have you ever wondered, “Are Your Brushing Habits Harming Your Teeth And Gums?” If so, keep reading. This article will answer questions about good habits and why they are important.

Risks Associated with Poor Oral Hygiene

Many people believe that brushing your teeth is only important for white teeth. In fact, your oral health status can serve as a window to your general health.

Did you know that your mouth is full of bacteria? The bacteria start the process of digestion by helping breakdown the food. It also helps to fight germs that enter your mouth when you breathe.

Practicing regular cleaning of your mouth keeps the bacteria under control. Bacteria left in the mouth can harm your teeth and gums.

Several situations or conditions can increase your risk of mouth disease. For example, taking medications such as decongestants, antihistamines, diuretics, antidepressants, and pain relievers. These medications can decrease the flow of saliva which washes food away.

When bacteria mixes with sugar it creates acid. Each time they meet, your teeth experience a 20-minute acid attack. Saliva helps to neutralize this acid and protect your teeth.

When gums become red, swollen, and tender, you have gingivitis. If the bacterial infection and swelling continue, you can develop periodontitis. This is a severe gum disease that can lead to general health problems.

General Health Conditions Associated with Oral Health

Once an infection begins in your gums, your risk of several diseases increases. These include:

Endocarditis is an infection on the inside of the heart chambers and valves. This occurs when the bacteria in your mouth gets into your bloodstream. It can travel to your heart causing this serious infection.

Cardiovascular disease describes damage that occurs in the heart and the blood vessels. Bacteria can enter the bloodstream from the mouth.

The result may be infection and swelling in the heart and blood vessels. This can lead to heart attacks and strokes.

Premature birth and low birth rates are linked to periodontitis.

Pneumonia can occur when specific bacteria enter your lungs through your mouth.

Several diseases can also reduce your body’s ability to fight infection or interfere with good oral hygiene. Examples include diabetes, HIV/AIDS, osteoporosis, and Alzheimer’s Disease.

Other conditions linked to poor oral health include eating disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, immune system disorders, and some cancers. Be sure to keep your dentist updated on any changes in your medical condition.

Are Your Brushing Habits Harming Your Teeth And Gums?

You have now read about the myriad of problems that can result from poor oral hygiene. Let’s turn our focus to good habits.

Brush Your Teeth with a Fluoride Toothpaste Twice a Day

Brushing your teeth twice daily decreases cavities, gum recession, and periodontitis. Using fluoride toothpaste also decreases the development of cavities. If you brush your teeth for 2 minutes you will have less plaque than only brushing for 1 minute.

Clean Between Your Teeth Once a Day

Toothbrushing alone does not remove food particles that get caught between teeth. This creates a big source of plaque and tartar build-up that can go below the gum line. When this goes untreated, gingivitis and periodontitis can occur.

The answer is interdental cleaning. You can do this using dental floss, interdental brushes, oral irrigators, or woodsticks. Yes, using floss is not the only way to clean between your teeth.

If you don’t like using floss, explore these other options. But, at the end of the day, be sure to spend time cleaning between your teeth.

Eat Healthy Foods and Limit Sugary Drinks and Snacks

Eating a healthy diet leads to increased general health and resistance to infection. Your intake of sugar can greatly affect your teeth and gums. Remember, each time sugar enters your mouth, an acid attack starts and lasts for 20 minutes.

Sipping sugared coffee or soda subjects your teeth to almost non-stop acid attacks. The acid damages the enamel of your teeth. This can lead to holes in the enamel that develop into cavities.

The answer is to drink not sip. Drink your beverage in a limited time. Drinking with a straw allows the fluid to enter the back of your mouth decreasing the teeth’s exposure.

Drink lots of water between meals, snacks, and sugary beverages.

Visit Your Dentist Every 6 Months

Most people have heard that you need to see a dentist every six months. Some individuals think this is only important for children. While it’s important to begin this practice in childhood, it must also continue the rest of your life.

It’s never too late to get on track. Even if you have never had a dental cleaning, all is not lost. The dental staff can begin working to improve your oral health and help prevent disease.

You may wonder what a dental cleaning involves. Professional cleanings remove plaque and tartar that you can’t remove with a toothbrush. They use special tools to gently and effectively clean your teeth.

The dental hygienist looks for and measures any pockets between your teeth and gums. Pockets can indicate gum diseases such as gingivitis or periodontitis.

If found, treatment starts immediately. This helps to stop disease progression and restore healthy gums.

Removal of plaque and tartar decreases gum discomfort and bad breath. Routine dental cleanings also decrease your risk of tooth loss.

Do You Need to Improve Your Brushing Habits?

Many people develop poor dental hygiene practices over time. This can lead to problems with your teeth, gum, and serious disease processes. This article asked, “Are Your Brushing Habits Harming Your Teeth And Gums?”

If you need to improve your dental habits, begin by visiting a dentist for a cleaning and checkup. Webster Family Dental is here to meet all your dental health needs. We offer cosmetic, restorative, preventative, and emergency dental services.