Smile Management

Tooth brushing is a day-in, day-out routine that rarely gets a second thought for most people. It is a standard part of any day, known to be necessary, but perhaps a bit of nuisance in the midst of living. However, tooth brushing should be completed with as much attention and quality as you might give to your gym routine or picking out what you will wear each morning. Your smile is a big part of your appearance, so tooth brushing—along with routine visits to an affordable dentist at a family dentistry office in Owings Mills—is smile management. If you don’t spend much time caring for your teeth, you will pay a hefty price.

Use the answers to these common questions to put the quality back into your daily dental care regimen.

What causes cavities? Obviously, not brushing at all will lead to cavities, but so will consuming sticky, sugary foods and beverages. These foods can adhere to the surface of the teeth and join with the bacteria in the mouth to form acids that will erode the teeth and lead to inflammation, decay, and cavities.

Is there too much acid in your diet? You may not experience heartburn when you eat acidic foods, but you could be harming your teeth. Acids de-mineralize the teeth, weakening the surface of the tooth and making it susceptible to adverse conditions, like cavities. Sodas are highly acidic. Drinking a soda is almost the same as swallowing vinegar, when speaking about the health of your teeth.  Sodas—diet or regular—are bad for your health.

Are you brushing twice a day? You should be brushing twice a day for at least two minutes—once in the morning and once before bed, after you are done eating and drinking for the day. Be sure to divide your mouth into quadrants and brush thoroughly, spending about 30 seconds on each section. Don’t forget to brush your tongue to help fight bad breath. Floss for at least two minutes once a day to free bacteria from between teeth and promote the movement between your teeth of fluoride from your toothpaste and mouthwash.

Are you brushing too soon? A 2004 study in the journal, General Dentistry, found that scrubbing too quickly after a meal can actually aid in acid formation on the teeth. Brushing right after consumption of acidic foods can simply cause an etching-like effect on the teeth. It is best to wait about 20 to 30 minutes and let your natural saliva neutralize acids before brushing to avoid rubbing them into the surface of your teeth.

Are you rinsing? If you don’t have time to let your saliva do its job, rinse your mouth with warm water several times and then brush after a meal. This can be an effective practice even if you do not have access to brush. Warm water can help lower the pH of the mouth and neutralize acid production. Add in mouthwash and you can really do your part to stave off acid damage.

To learn about our family dentistry practice in Owings Mills, call Valley Dental Associates today at (443) 898-1240 or make an appointment.