Most of us spend less than thirty seconds brushing our teeth, worse yet some of us will only brush our teeth when we remember. If you were a dog, brushing your teeth twice a week would be more than enough; but then again, tailgating would then be considered acceptable too.

Oral hygiene is important in preventing gum disease, tarter build-up, and cavities. The majority of people do not brush their teeth often enough or adequately enough, which is why there is such a proliferation of pre bushing rinses, and after brushing rinses.

Which toothbrush to use?

Do you choose a firm toothbrush because you believe it will clean your teeth better? Not so say most dental professionals. A soft toothbrush is best. It will provide effective cleaning and will not irritate your gums. It should be small enough to reach your back teeth easily. As for all the other bells and whistles that toothbrushes have, they are mostly cosmetic and it is all a matter of preference. The only innovation I also like is the indicator that tells me when it is time to change my toothbrush.

It is recommended that you change your toothbrush every three months, or after illness or when you start to see the bristles loosing their shape.

Steps to proper brushing

1. Wet your toothbrush and place a thin layer of toothpaste along the length of the brush.
2. Holding your brush at a 45 degree angle, position the toothbrush at the point where your teeth meet your gums (also known as the gum line).
3. Using circular up and down motion brush a few teeth at a time.
4. Make sure to brush all sides of your teeth. This includes the top part with which you chew, the outside area (closest to your cheek) and the inside area (closest to your tongue)
5. The entire process should take 3 minutes for an effective cleaning.
6. Don’t forget to brush your tongue. It helps prevent bad breath and kills bacteria.

How often should you brush?

It is best to brush after every meal in order to prevent plaque build-up. Although not always possible, you might consider carrying a portable toothbrush with you. Although not the best alternative, the American Dental Association recommends sugar free chewing gum as a temporary alternative. Their website states that chewing gum for 20 minutes after a meal can help prevent tooth decay.

Flossing is it Necessary?
I detest flossing, never used to do it, until one day sitting in my dentist’s chair I noticed a sign. “You don’t have to floss all your teeth, only the ones you want to keep.” From that day on I was converted, however I do not use regular floss. I could never master the technique. By the time I figured out how to do it, the war between my fingers and the floss had left my fingers numb. I gave up and switched to Floss picks. They’re disposable little picks that make flossing effortless. There’s no need to pay for fancy flossers for which the replacement heads are ridiculously priced. You can just as easily go to your nearest discount store and find floss picks for a fraction of the cost.

Good oral hygiene can help you avoid a host of dental problems. Although most people dutifully brush in the morning, most forget the bedtime ritual. Maybe its because the last thing we want to think about before bed is cleaning, even if it is our teeth. What you can do is fit it in with your schedule. As long as you brush your teeth at some point after dinner, does it really matter if it’s before bed or not? Maybe you can do it right after dinner, right before bed or my favourite, in the shower. As for flossing, I found the easiest thing to do to get me in the routine is to floss while I watch T.V., with the floss picks its more convenient and sitting on my sofa watching my favourite show, before you know it, I’m flossed before the sitcom is even over!

Just remember the whole point is not for it to become a chore, but for all the bad habits we tend to have, brushing and flossing is one habit your teeth will thank you for.