Once, it was a simple question of up and down or round and round. Today, toothbrushing – a basic ritual of personal hygiene – is fraught with decisions: Should you use an oscillating electric brush, or a giant, rubber-flanged monster brush? Is it worth investing in mouthwash, or is tap water just as good?
The main reason we brush our teeth is to remove plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that grows on their surface. Some of these bacteria produce substances that irritate the gums. Others convert sugar into acid, which erodes the teeth. Bacteria also produce stinky substances that cause bad breath. But with so many potential ways of removing plaque from our mouths, how do you know what is best for your teeth? Here’s the latest scientific evidence.
What’s the most effective way to brush your teeth?
The Dental Health Foundation reports that one-in-four Brits think electric toothbrushes are for lazy people. That may be so, but unless you are particularly gifted with a manual toothbrush, they do generally result in cleaner teeth – particularly those with an oscillating head. When the Cochrane Oral Health Group – a group of dentists charged with publishing summaries of the best available evidence – looked at this issue, it concluded that, over three months, using an electric brush was associated with a 21% reduction in plaque and an 11% reduction in gum inflammation compared with manual brushing.
That is not to say that manual toothbrushes are useless, however. “They work pretty well, if you use them properly; the problem is that most people develop a system over time, and it’s not uncommon for them to miss areas,” says Derek Richards, director of the Centre for Evidence-based Dentistry in Dundee. If you prefer to use a manual brush, Richards advises choosing one with a smallish head and medium bristles to ensure that you reach all the nooks and crannies. As for technique, Richards says: “It’s about finding what works for you.”
When should I brush them?
At least twice a day – before bed, and at one other time. An ongoing area of disagreement is whether you should brush before, or after, breakfast. It depends on what you have eaten, says Rebecca Moazzez, director of the oral clinical research unit at Kings College London (KCL) Dental Institute: “The main thing to be careful of is fruit juice or fresh fruit, because they contain acid that can make the surface of the tooth quite soft.” This softening causes some of the calcium and phosphate in the protective enamel to leach out – a process called demineralisation – and if you brush your teeth at this point, you will be brushing some of these minerals away and weakening the teeth. Quite how long you should avoid brushing for remains unclear; the overall pH of the mouth seems to return to normal within minutes, but tooth surfaces may remain soft for up to an hour. “If you want to do anything after eating, I would simply wash with a fluoride mouthwash,” Moazzez says.
Do I have to use toothpaste?
“Brushing protects against gum disease, but it’s the fluoride in toothpaste that prevents tooth decay,” says Maria Therese Hosey, head of paediatric dentistry at KCL. Because of the foods we eat, our teeth are constantly demineralising and remineralising; if fluoride is present during the remineralisation process, it gets incorporated and strengthens the teeth. For this reason, adults should look for a toothpaste that contains at least 1,350ppm fluoride, and steer clear of alternatives such as bicarbonate of soda, which are too abrasive to be used for tooth-cleaning. “Think Brillo pad on a non-stick pan,” says Therese Hosey.
Ironically, failing to remove every last trace of plaque can actually be beneficial for the teeth, because it concentrates fluoride on their surface. For a similar reason, it’s best to avoid rinsing the mouth after brushing. “It means high levels of fluoride are retained on the teeth,” Richards says.
What about mouthwash?
Using a fluoride mouthwash straight after brushing is fairly pointless: you’re flushing away fluoride and replacing it with more of the same. Where it can come in handy, however, is in topping up fluoride levels in between toothbrushing – particularly if you’re at high risk of cavities. “It can also be useful if you have had something acidic to eat, so don’t want to brush,” says Therese Hosey.
Of course, mouthwashes contain more than just fluoride; many contain antiseptic agents such as chlorhexidine, which kill some of the bacteria your toothbrush misses, and help freshen the breath. But while there is some evidence that such mouthwashes can reduce plaque and gum inflammation, Richards says: “If you’re brushing your teeth twice or three times a day with a fluoride toothpaste, the additional benefit you will get isn’t likely to be huge.”
And dental floss?
Plaque accumulates between the teeth, as well as on their surfaces, and this is difficult to remove using a toothbrush alone. The risk here is gum disease, which in its early stages manifests as bleeding when you brush. When the Cochrane Oral Health Group looked at this issue, it concluded that people who brush and floss regularly experience less gum-bleeding compared with those who use brushing alone. However, it said most trials assessing this have been of poor quality.
Similarly, although there is some evidence that interdental brushes are more effective than floss at reducing gum inflammation, the quality of available evidence means it is difficult to say for sure.
Is chewing gum good or bad for teeth?
So long as it is sugar-free, chewing gum is generally a good thing for teeth. For one thing, it stimulates saliva production, which buffers the acid that erodes teeth. It can also help dislodge particles of food from the teeth.
Then there is chewing gum containing xylitol – a low-calorie sweetener that the bacteria responsible for causing tooth decay seem to prefer over sugar. If they are hoovering up less sugar, this means they are producing less acid, which is good news for teeth. What is unclear, however, is how much of this gum we would need to chew to achieve a measurable impact.
What’s the best way to look after children’s teeth?
Milk teeth eventually fall out and get replaced by adult teeth, but if they are left to get so rotten that they have to be prematurely extracted, it can have long-term consequences for your child’s mouth: “Baby teeth guide the position for the permanent teeth, so if you lose a lot of your baby teeth, you’re more likely to have problems later on,” says Richards. Tooth decay is also the number one reason for general anaesthetic use in children, which carries risks of its own.
Although official guidelines recommend brushing children’s teeth fortwo to three minutes, twice a day, as any parent will testify, getting a two-year-old to comply is like asking a crocodile to release your leg from its jaws. “The pragmatic answer is that if you are managing to brush all tooth surfaces using a fluoride toothpaste, then you are doing a pretty good job,” says Therese Hosey.
Do I really need to visit my dentist every six months?
Possibly – if your teeth are in bad shape. But seeing your dentist every six months just for the sake of it could be an unnecessary expense – particularly if they are prone to offering treatments such as a scale and polish each time you visit. The Cochrane Oral Health Group recently concluded that there was no good evidence to support six-monthly dental checkups; a finding echoed by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence. It suggests that children under the age of 18 should see a dentist at least once a year, because their teeth tend to decay faster. For adults who are not experiencing any problems with their teeth, though, every 24 months should be adequate.
Your entire body is interconnected in many different ways, and your mouth acts as a window into your body. So when you think about it, it really makes sense how the condition of your teeth and gums influences other areas of the body, like your heart. Maintaining proper oral hygiene is necessary for keeping your mouth fresh and looking great, but there are many other important associated benefits of good oral health that may surprise you. Let's explore a few of these below.
Lowers Your Risk of Heart Disease
Poor oral health has been linked to an increased risk of developing heart disease. Studies have shown that those with gum disease have a higher chance of suffering from a heart attack. In fact, as gum disease triggers inflammation in your mouth, it can also spread throughout your entire body. So by taking good care of your teeth, you're also taking good care of your heart.
Prevents Tooth Decay and Cavities
What happens if you don't clean your teeth every day? You're leaving your mouth prone to cavity-causing bacteria. And when bacteria is left to accumulate on your teeth, it can lead to tooth decay and eventually cavities. By staying on top of your oral health, you can eliminate plaque and keep your teeth healthy and cavity-free.
Healthier Pregnancies With Good Oral Health
Health Canada has been conducting ongoing studies that show a correlation between oral health and healthy pregnancies. Some reports indicate a link between poor oral hygiene and a higher risk for pre-term, low weight babies, which can increase the likelihood of complications. Even with studies in their infant stages, it's important for pregnant women to be diligent and take good care of their teeth and gums to avoid any potential complications.
Oral Cancer Detection
Did you know that your regular check-ups with the dentist include an examination to screen for oral cancer? So in addition to giving your mouth a good cleaning, your dentist is also monitoring your entire mouth, including your neck, cheeks, tongue, gum and lips for any abnormalities that could point to oral cancer. Early detection can drastically improve your chances of successful treatment, which is another reason why those regular check-ups are such an essential part of maintaining good oral health.
Link Between Gum Disease and Diabetes
According to the Canadian Diabetes Association, diabetes is on the rise and oral health could be a contributing factor at play. When gum disease develops, the toxins and periodontal bacteria can impact insulin resistance, along with blood glucose levels - all the more reason to keep those pearly whites in good shape.
If you were wondering why oral care matters, it's important to understand that the benefits of good oral health reach far beyond having whiter and brighter teeth. There is a significant amount of research that is showing more of a direct correlation between oral health and general health. So the next time you consider skipping out on your tooth brushing or your visit to the dentist, think again for the sake of your health.
Having great oral care is one of the best ways to ensure that you’re taking care of yourself and your body. That’s why brushing (and flossing!) your teeth daily to monitor your mouth for any changes should be an integral part of your day.
Everyone knows that you need to brush your teeth twice a day for a full 2 minutes – our dentists are have hammering that into our heads for generations. But, there are a lot of things about brushing that many people don’t know. It’s important to treat your teeth and gums in the best way you can, so we wanted to point out some of the things you can change about your daily regiment.
Soft Bristles are More Effective Than Hard Bristles
It’s easy to gravitate towards firmer bristles when you’re picking out a toothbrush at the store. You may be thinking to yourself, “If I use firmer bristles, I can get all the nooks and crannies.” We get where you’re coming from, but, the opposite is actually true. When you opt for a firm-bristled brush, the bristles are naturally going to be more rigid and less likely to mold to the tooth while you’re brushing. In fact, a firmer bristle is more likely to wear away at your gums and enamel than give your teeth the clean they need. We recommend using a soft-bristled toothbrush so you can avoid that happening. Your mouth will thank you.
You Don’t Have to Brush Hard
Along the same lines, it’s easy for you to think that the harder you brush, the cleaner your mouth will be. It’s actually better to go easy on your teeth because if you brush firmly, you stand the chance of eroding away your enamel. Your enamel is, of course, integral in the longevity of your oral history, so make sure to have a lighter hand when you brush. If you can’t do that with your manual toothbrush, consider investing in an electric toothbrush that has a pressure sensor built in. That way, you take the thinking out of brushing your teeth and let your brush do all the work.
Most People Forget to Brush the Inside Surface of Their Teeth
The inside surface of your teeth, or the side that your tongue rests against, is an often neglected area of the mouth. A lot of people focus all of their brushing attention to the surfaces of the teeth that the outside world is more liable to see. But, if you don’t brush the inside surface of your mouth, the food and beverages you consume are likely to settle there and calcify, which can create more issues in the long run. To remedy that, remember to brush all surfaces of your teeth.
You Don’t Have to Immediately Brush After Every Meal
A lot of people have started to brush their teeth directly after meals to maintain fresh breath throughout the day. While this is a prime example of having great manners, it’s not so great for your oral hygiene. When you eat, you’re inevitably going to have some acids in your mouth from your food. Brushing right after you’ve eaten is harmful because the act of brushing can help the acids in your mouth erode your teeth. To make sure this doesn’t happen, swish water around and wait a little bit before you brush.
We hope that you learned a thing or two about how to treat your teeth a little bit better. If you’re in need of a dentist to give them a deeper clean, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team at All Smiles Care!
At this point, most of us know we should be brushing and flossing every day, but have you ever wondered if there were other things you should be doing on a daily basis to keep your pearly whites as healthy as possible? How much of a focus should you be putting on your toothbrush? Do you really need to brush your tongue? Should you be using a specific kind of mouthwash?
To answer all these questions and more, we sat down with Dr. Kristin Piper, DDS, out of Clintonville, OH, to get some advice on a few oral health tips everyone should be following.
Daily Oral Health Tips
1.- Don’t Forget Your Tongue:
First thing’s first, yes, you can definitely clean your tongue! “If you haven’t yet, think about using that tongue scraper to remove bacteria from the surface of your tongue,” said Dr. Piper. It can be a great way to go the extra mile for your mouth.
2.- Your Toothbrush Type Matters:
When it comes to toothbrushes, there really is a specific type you should be using. “There are so many types of toothbrushes out there, but some are definitely better than others,” she said. “Finding a toothbrush with soft bristles that can reach back to the crevices of your molars should be your go to. Just make sure that the toothbrush has an ADA Seal of Acceptance.”
3.- Clean Teeth Need a Clean Brush:
And speaking of toothbrushes, did you know that you should clean your brush after every use? “Unless you want new bacteria to breed and wind up in your mouth, you need to clean your toothbrush,” Dr. Piper said. “The American Dental Association (ADA) says to rinse your toothbrush after each use and allow it to air dry. And whatever you do, don’t cover your toothbrush — this can lead to bacteria buildup. So, skip the toothbrush covers unless you need them for traveling.”
4.- Out With the Old:
Thirdly, if you’ve been using the same brush for months and months and months, you should know that there’s definitely a toothbrush expiration date! According to the ADA, you should replace your toothbrush every three to four months — sooner if the bristles are looking frayed or worn.
5.- Hello, Mouthwash!
Another important oral health tip that many of us may not realize? Mouthwash can do more than just freshen breath! “Sure, mouthwash works great as a breath freshener, but it can also have oral health-boosting abilities,” she said. “Some special mouthwashes can help strengthen your teeth, reduce plaque, and fight off gingivitis before it even starts. Talk to your dentist about therapeutic mouthwashes that can help with oral hygiene if you’re interested in more than just over-the-counter mouthwashes.”
Now that you’re in the know when it comes to daily oral health tips and tricks, make sure that you’re going the extra mile and protecting your teeth from sensitivity pain every time you brush.
Do you want to enhance your dental health and avoid certain frequent mouth problems? Take a look at your tongue! Yes, taking care of your tongue can help avoid bad breath, tooth decay, gum disease, infections, and other problems. Brushing your tongue can have a surprising effect on your dental hygiene. So take your toothbrush and read on to learn about the seven problems you may avoid just by implementing this sometimes-forgotten step into your daily routine. It’s past time to pay attention to our tongues!
1.- Bad Breath
Imagine you’re talking to someone, and suddenly, their face gets scrunched up in disgust. You know immediately that the feared comment about your bad breath is coming. It can be embarrassing and make you feel bad about yourself for the rest of the day.
But don’t worry! Brushing your tongue is the best way to get rid of bad smells. There are a lot of germs on our tongues, and they love to eat leftover food and dead cells. Over time, these bacteria make sulfur chemicals, which cause that smell we all hate.
By brushing your tongue often, you remove the bacteria’s place to grow and keep them from returning. This simple step makes it much less likely to have bad breath all day.
2.- Tooth Decay
Tooth decay is a problem that many people have with their teeth. It happens when your teeth’s enamel starts to break down, which can lead to cavities and, in the end, tooth loss. Did you know brushing your tongue can help keep your teeth from getting cavities?
When you brush your tongue, you eliminate germs and leftover food from your mouth. These bacteria make acids that break down the enamel on your teeth. Over time, this makes your teeth weaker. By cleaning your tongue often, you can reduce the number of bad bugs in your mouth and make it less likely that your teeth will get cavities.
So remember to pay attention to your tongue the next time you brush your teeth. It’s an easy and effective way to keep your mouth healthy and prevent tooth damage.
3.- Gum Disease
Gum disease is a common problem that affects many people, and if it isn’t handled, it can lead to serious consequences. This happens when germs in the mouth get into the gums, making them swollen and red.
Gum disease is often caused by not taking care of your teeth. Plaque builds up along the gumline when you don’t brush your teeth often or well enough. Plaque gets hard over time and turns into tartar, which can only be removed by a dentist.
Gingivitis is the first step of gum disease. If it worsens, it can lead to more serious periodontitis. This advanced gum disease can cause the gums to pull away from the teeth and damage the bone structure below.
The good news is that brushing your tongue daily can help prevent gum disease. You can get rid of bad germs in your mouth by brushing your teeth and tongue twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush or tongue scraper.
4.- Infections
Infections can pose a serious threat to your dental health. Negative bacteria can build up on your tongue if you don’t brush it frequently, which might result in infections in your mouth. These infections may make you feel uncomfortable, painful, or even swollen.
Thrush is a typical infection that might happen. A fungal infection called thrush causes white patches to develop on the tongue and within the mouth. It can be rather unpleasant, and getting rid of it can require medical attention.
Glossitis is a different infection that might appear. The condition results in tongue inflammation, making it look red and swollen. Glossitis can make speech and swallowing challenging in severe cases.
You should brush your tongue to help avoid these diseases as part of your everyday oral hygiene regimen. You must use a tongue scraper or a toothbrush with gentle bristles.
5.- White Tongue
An issue that many people deal with at some time in their lives is having a white tongue. It describes the appearance of a white layer or patches on the tongue’s surface. Even though it might not always be a reason for alarm, it can point to underlying health problems.
Poor oral hygiene is one potential contributor to a white tongue. If you don’t routinely brush your tongue, bacteria and food particles may build up on its surface and cause discoloration. Additionally, this issue might be exacerbated by smoking and other drugs.
Oral thrush, brought on by an overabundance of yeast in the mouth, is another potential cause of white tongue. People with low immune systems or recently taking antibiotics are more prone to developing this illness.
A white coating on the tongue can also be caused by dehydration and dry mouth. The tongue can seem whitish if there isn’t enough saliva to wipe away dead cells and other debris from the surface.
While most occurrences of the white tongue are innocuous and transient, it’s crucial to remember that severe or persistent cases should be examined by a dentist or healthcare provider for correct diagnosis and treatment.
Maintaining proper oral hygiene habits is essential to preventing the development or worsening of a white tongue. These include brushing your teeth twice daily and gently wiping your tongue with a toothbrush or specialized tongue scraper. Along with keeping your mouth hydrated, drinking lots of water throughout the day can assist.
6.- Swallowing Problems
Many people may experience significant difficulties swallowing; therefore, you might be surprised to find that frequent tongue brushing can help. Bacteria and debris can build up on our tongues if we don’t properly clean them, which increases the risk of having trouble swallowing.
Dysphagia, or having trouble swallowing food or drink, is a typical issue. If not treated properly, this condition may cause discomfort and result in choking. You can reduce the accumulation of bacteria that could cause dysphagia by brushing your tongue daily as part of your oral hygiene practice.
Feeling like a lump in the throat or something is stuck is another concern associated with difficulties swallowing. The Globus pharyngeus, a benign disorder that produces discomfort but typically doesn’t signal any major medical issues, is frequently linked to these symptoms. Cleaning your tongue regularly might lessen the amount of bacteria that could increase this feeling.
Additionally, throat irritation and infections have been connected to poor oral hygiene. These ailments may make swallowing uncomfortable and challenging. By carefully washing it every day, you may lessen the likelihood that bacteria will grow on your tongue and cause these unpleasant infections.
7.- Taste Buds
Our sense of taste greatly influences our enjoyment of eating. Our tongue’s surface has several tiny sensory organs that enable us to distinguish between various flavors. Eating would be a drab and repetitive experience without taste buds.
When we eat, food molecules come into contact with the taste receptors on our taste buds, communicating information about the flavors of what we’re eating to our brains. Sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami (savory) are the basic sensations that taste receptors can identify.
Contrary to popular belief, taste buds aren’t uniformly distributed around the tongue. The tongue has various areas that are more sensitive to various tastes. For instance, the tip of the tongue is where sweetness is most easily tasted, whereas the back of the tongue is where bitterness is most powerfully felt.
Although the way taste buds work and contribute to our culinary experiences is intriguing, if they are not properly cared for, they can potentially develop problems. By allowing bacteria to build up on your taste buds, poor oral hygiene can reduce their sensitivity or leave your mouth with a persistently terrible taste.
Remember to incorporate tongue brushing in your regular oral hygiene regimen to ensure maximum tasting abilities and prevent any potential concerns related to your sense of taste!
How To Brush Your Tongue
Now that we know why brushing our tongues is so important let’s talk about how to do it right. Here are a few easy steps to take:
1. Wet the bristles of your toothbrush.
2. Spread out your tongue as far as possible without feeling pain.
3. Use a soft toothbrush to gently brush back and forth along the surface of your tongue.
4. Pay close attention to the back of your tongue, a common place for germs to grow.
5. Brush your teeth for another 30 to 60 seconds.
6. Rinse your mouth well with water or a mouthwash that kills germs.
Always use a soft-bristled toothbrush or buy a tongue scraper for a more thorough cleaning. By adding this small step to your oral care routine, you’ll get rid of bad breath, lower your risk of tooth decay, gum disease, infections, white tongue, eating problems, and even improve your taste buds! So don’t forget to brush every part of your mouth with care and attention! It will be good for your teeth and gums in general.
When you wake up in the morning, getting rid of that bad morning breath is a no-brainer: You head to the bathroom and use toothpaste and mouthwash to freshen your breath. Scoring fresh breath at home is simple, but knowing how to get rid of bad breath while you're out and about can be trickier. After all, you're not always going to be near a sink or have your toothbrush handy. That's why it's important to have a backup plan in place. That way, if you do suspect that you have bad breath, you'll have a few tricks up your sleeve to get rid of it.
Sugar-Free Gum and Candy
Bad breath can sometimes be linked to poor salivary flow, according to the American Dental Association (ADA). The ADA suggests that chewing a stick of sugar-free gum or popping a sugar-free candy into your mouth can help get rid of bad breath and — if the gum or candy is mint-flavored — leave a fresher smell behind. Chewing gum and sucking on candy promote saliva production, which helps clear the tongue and teeth of bad-breath-inducing food particles and bacteria. Keep a pack of sugar-free gum or candy in your pocket or purse so you always have a backup plan.
Portable Mini Brushes
Keeping your toothbrush and a tube of toothpaste in your pocket may not be the most inconspicuous way to score fresh breath on the go. Adding a package of mini brushes can help you banish bad breath with a quick trip to the powder room. Designed to work without water or extra toothpaste, this pocket-sized bristled toothbrush has a toothpaste gel in the center. Use it once and toss it for quick touch-ups.
Chewing Parsley
In some situations — think of eating a garlicky meal on a first date — you may not have the tools for fresher breath in your pocket or purse. You're in luck if your dinner came with a parsley garnish. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that chewing a bit of parsley or a sprig of mint can neutralize bad breath. Grab a piece and chew it quickly, and you'll have fresher breath within a few seconds.
Talking to Your Doctor
Quick fixes work well for bad breath that sneaks up on you at an inconvenient time. If you constantly suffer from bad breath, it may be more than just an annoyance. Talk to your dentist about possible causes of bad breath, which can include tooth decay, recent dental work and even digestive problems. Discuss how to get rid of bad breath that is caused by a more serious condition. Whether it's a once-in-a-while problem or a consistent issue, bad breath can be resolved with quick fixes and long-term solutions.
A dental checkup involves checking your gums and teeth to look for potential issues. Knowing what procedures to expect can help make the process easier for you. You might want to get an exam every six months. But if you have specific issues, you might need a more detailed exam. Keep reading to learn what you should expect.
The importance of getting regular exams
Many children and adults need to have an exam every six months or so. If the gums are bleeding or swollen, the patient might have gum disease. The dentist might need to see the patient more often in that case. In some cases, an adult with the condition might need to go to the dentist several times each year. That prevents the disease from worsening.
What to expect during an exam
Usually, the dentist will start by cleaning the teeth and perhaps doing X-rays. The cleaning involves removing the plaque and tartar using specific dental tools. That gets rid of the bacteria in the mouth and stops it from building up. Next, the patient has the teeth flossed and gently brushed.
Getting the X-ray
First, the patient will have a lead apron placed over the chest to protect it. In some cases, the patient gets another covering for the neck to protect the thyroid from the radiation. Next, the patient will bite down on some plastic. The dentist places the scanner on the outside of the mouth and takes the picture. Often, the dentist is in a protective area.
Some X-rays require repeating the process a few times. The patient might bite down in several areas of the mouth. There are a few kinds of X-rays. For instance, a full-mouth set involves checking the health of the entire mouth. Other types might get taken on each side of the mouth.
Examining the mouth
At the dental checkup, the dentist looks over the X-rays to see if there are issues such as cavities. Next, it is time to check the gums and teeth to see if these are healthy. The dentist might look over the bite, which includes how the bottom and top teeth fit with each other. If there is an issue with the bite, the patient might need to have that addressed.
The dentist will also look for signs of oral cancer. That might include looking over the inside of the mouth. It might involve feeling the jaw and inspecting the roof of the mouth as well. For a dental checkup for a child, the dentist might see if the teeth are developing correctly. Early orthodontic treatment might be necessary.
Choose the right dental checkup today
If you have not been to the dentist in a while, it is the right time to make an appointment. The dentist can determine how often you need to go back after the initial time. Knowing what to expect can help make the process easier for you. Making an appointment today is the first step toward a healthier smile.
Having your teeth professionally cleaned by your dentist or hygienist is an important way to remove built-up plaque and tartar that regular daily brushing and flossing at home can’t tackle. However, after a cleaning, your teeth and gums need a bit of time to recover before you dive back into eating normally. Here’s a detailed look at dental cleaning aftercare and when you can start eating again.
Can I eat right after a teeth cleaning?
Most dentists recommend waiting at least an hour after a professional teeth cleaning before eating anything. Here’s why:
Your mouth needs time to settle
During a teeth cleaning appointment, your hygienist scales and polishes your teeth to remove tartar, plaque, and stains. This involves some abrasion and irritation to your gums. Your gums need time to settle down before you put food particles in your mouth.
Eating too soon after a cleaning can introduce bacteria and food debris into your newly cleaned mouth. This increases your risk of developing new plaque buildup and tooth decay.
Your mouth may be numb
Many dentists use a topical anesthetic gel to numb your gums during the cleaning. The numbing effect usually lasts at least 30-60 minutes after the appointment.
If your mouth is still numb, you risk biting your tongue orinner cheek while chewing. Wait until the numbness fully wears off before eating to prevent accidental injury inside your mouth.
You just rinsed with fluoride
At the end of the teeth cleaning appointment, your dentist or hygienist may apply a fluoride rinse or gel. Fluoride helps strengthen tooth enamel and prevent cavities.
For the fluoride to work optimally, you need to avoid eating or drinking for at least 30 minutes. This allows time for the fluoride to fully absorb into your teeth.
Swallowing food or beverages too soon can wash away the fluoride before your teeth fully benefit from the treatment.
How long should I wait before eating after a dental cleaning?
The general rule is to wait 60 minutes after your teeth cleaning before consuming any food or beverages.
This hour delay gives your mouth time to recover from the cleaning and allows the fluoride to work. It also prevents disrupting any clotting in your gums from the scaling.
Of course, follow your own dentist’s post-cleaning recommendations about eating. Some dentists may suggest waiting 30 minutes or up to 2 hours before eating, depending on the specifics of your appointment.
Here are some tips for the hour after your dental cleaning:
Don’t eat or drink anything besides water. Avoid coffee, tea, soda, alcoholic beverages, and citrus juices as well.
Don’t smoke or chew tobacco. This can impair healing and undo the cleaning you just received.
Don’t rinse your mouth out with any mouthwash, either. Standard mouthwash can wash away the protective fluoride applied by your dental hygienist.
Avoid sticky, hard, or chewy foods. Soft foods are best after a cleaning.
Don’t floss before eating. Flossing could disrupt a healing blood clot and delay gum healing.
Rinse your mouth with warm salt water to help soothe gums before eating.
Take over-the-counter pain medication as needed if your gums remain sore. This can make eating more comfortable.
What foods should I eat after a dental cleaning?
Within the first 24 hours after your teeth cleaning, stick to soft, cool foods that won’t irritate your gums. Some good options include:
Yogurt, pudding, applesauce, or cottage cheese
Mashed or baked potatoes
Scrambled eggs
Oatmeal or porridge
Soup, broth, or bouillon
Ice cream, popsicles, slushies, or smoothies
Jello or sugar-free gelatin
Mashed ripe banana
Meal replacement shakes or protein shakes
Avoid any spicy, salty, acidic, or crunchy foods during the first day or so. These can cause pain and prolong healing:
Chips, pretzels, popcorn
Nuts, crunchy granola
Raw fruits and vegetables
Hard breads and bagels
Spicy salsa or sauces
Citrus fruits and juices
Pickles
Vinegar and vinaigrette dressings
Alcohol, carbonated beverages
After 24 hours, you can typically resume your normal healthy diet. But continue avoiding sticky foods that can get trapped between teeth for a few days. Minimize candy, caramels, taffy, gum, cookies, cakes, and biscuits that adhere to tooth surfaces.
Here are some tooth-friendly foods you can enjoy a few days after your cleaning:
Tender cooked vegetables like steamed carrots, green beans, or zucchini
Soft whole grain pasta, brown rice, quinoa
Shredded wheat cereal, oatmeal
Fish, chicken, eggs, meatloaf
Canned fruits like peaches, pears, apricots
Well-cooked beans and lentils
Hummus and avocado
Can I drink coffee after a teeth cleaning?
Most dentists recommend avoiding coffee, tea, soda, and other staining drinks for at least 24 hours after your teeth are professionally cleaned.
The tooth polishing and enamel abrasion that occurs during a dental cleaning can make your teeth more porous and vulnerable to new stains. Consuming dark beverages too soon exposes your teeth to more potential discoloration before the tooth enamel fully recovers.
Drinking very hot or cold liquids right after a cleaning can also irritate sensitive gums and teeth.
After the first 24 hours, you can generally resume coffee drinking as normal. But don’t overdo it! Remember, frequent coffee and tea drinking without proper oral hygiene leads to tooth staining and discoloration over time.
Here are some tips for drinking coffee safely after a dental cleaning:
Use a straw to minimize contact between the coffee and your teeth.
Rinse your mouth with water after finishing your coffee.
Wait at least 30 minutes after coffee before brushing. The combination of brushing too soon after acidic coffee can erode enamel.
Drink coffee in moderation, limiting intake to 1-2 cups per day.
Avoid adding sugar or sweet creamers that increase the beverage’s cavity-causing potential.
Maintain your bright smile by brushing twice daily, flossing at least once daily, and attending regular dental cleanings and checkups. Avoid constantly sipping coffee throughout the day. Follow these rules and you can both enjoy your coffee and keep your teeth looking their best!
When can I resume normal brushing and flossing after a cleaning?
It’s important not to brush or floss too vigorously in the hours immediately after your dental cleaning.
Here are some general timelines for resuming your normal oral hygiene routine:
Brushing: Wait at least 1 hour after your cleaning before brushing your teeth. Brushing too soon can damage the smooth tooth surfaces that were polished during the cleaning. After 1 hour, you can brush gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Avoid vigorous scrubbing motions.
Flossing: Avoid flossing for the first 6-12 hours after your cleaning. Flossing can disrupt healing blood clots and expose your gums to new bacteria before they have fully recovered. After 6-12 hours, you can typically resume regular flossing. Use a gentle motion and avoid snapping floss against the gums.
Mouthwash: Unless specifically instructed otherwise, wait 24 hours before using mouthwash. The alcohol in some rinses can sting and irritate your freshly cleaned gums. After 24 hours, you can resume gently swishing with an alcohol-free rinse to help prevent plaque buildup.
Water flossing: Water flossers use pressurized water streams to remove plaque between teeth. Avoid water flossing for at least 3-5 days after your professional cleaning. The pressure can irritate your gums and potentially reopen healing wounds. After several days, you can resume water flossing on the lowest comfortable setting.
Listen to any customized post-cleaning instructions from your dentist. With proper healing time, you’ll soon be able to thoroughly clean your teeth and gums again and maximize the benefits of your dental cleaning.
As you might know, many people don’t see their dentist regularly. Some believe fewer visits will save them money overall. Others, meanwhile, think their teeth will be fine with less frequent dental checkups. However, you have good reason to attend these six-month meetings. Your dentist allows for the early detection of oral health problems in Queens Creek. To learn more, here are four benefits to visiting your dentist twice yearly for checkups and cleanings.
It Would Spare You Pain
Regular dental appointments keep minor issues from becoming major ones. In doing so, they prevent the discomfort of serious oral health problems.
Consider cavities, for instance. While they can start with mild toothaches and soreness, they can lead to sharp and severe pain if left untreated. The discomfort would worsen if a cavity developed into a tooth infection. Plus, the necessary treatment would be invasive.
Thankfully, a dentist can detect a cavity before it gets too bad. That way, they’d spare you from the pain of your tooth and invasive procedures.
It Could Save Your Life
Poor oral health doesn’t just affect your teeth and gums; it can be life-threatening in some cases. For example, gum disease patients are at higher risk of heart attacks and strokes. Similarly, it’s possible to develop oral cancer inside your mouth.
Preventive dental checkups, though, make these outcomes far less likely. For one, they can keep you from getting gum disease in the first place. A dentist can also identify conditions like oral cancer — which is treatable if detected early.
It Lowers Your Expenses
While you might think fewer checkups mean more money saved, it’s actually the opposite. Indeed, getting less preventive care will only raise your expenses.
Whatever the cost of dental checkups, treatments for preventable conditions are more expensive. This fact is due to how the procedures involve more specialized knowledge. As such, a few checkups over the years won’t be as pricy as one complicated emergency service.
It Makes Socializing Easier
Waiting too long to get a checkup won’t just hurt your health; it’ll also lead to things like a crooked smile or stained teeth. In that case, you might get less confident in your appearance and feel awkward around others. Studies even show that those with poor-looking smiles suffer from poor self-esteem. At its worst, this decline in mental health could affect your relationships and even lead to depression.
Preventive care, though, can boost your teeth’s looks. Many dentists offer teeth cleanings that lead to fewer tooth stains. They also recommend ways to keep your smile straight.
As you can see, early detection of oral health problems is vital. That said, remember to visit your dentist for your next checkup!
We all know that brushing our teeth twice a day is an essential part of our oral hygiene routine, but you may not think about cleaning your tongue every day.
So, should you brush your tongue? Yes! In this article we will provide you with a simple three step guide for your daily oral hygiene routine, including tips on how to clean your tongue:
Brush your teeth and gums
Scrape your tongue
Use mouthwash
As well as offering steps for how to clean a tongue, we’ll provide tips to help protect your oral health and explain why following these steps is so important to maintaining good oral hygiene.
Why are you supposed to brush your tongue?
The tongue, besides its vital role in body function, can play host to a lot of bacteria. With over 700 different bacteria in our mouth 1 – both helpful and harmful – brushing your tongue is an important step in maintaining the health of your mouth. Here are a few other reasons it’s crucial you don’t forget to brush your tongue:
Brushing your teeth alone does not eliminate the bacteria which cause plaque. Bacteria can accumulate in between the thousands of taste buds that cover the surface of our tongue.
These bacteria can transform dental plaque into tartar. 2 Both plaque and tartar can cause gum problems in addition to other serious health problems including gum disease (also known as gingivitis) and in more serious cases periodontitis.
The tongue is a reliable general health problem indicator. 3 Changes in your tongue’s surface from tongue coating and stains to wounds and colour changes can indicate a range of health issues.Tip: Changes to your tongue give you a head start on getting underlying issues fixed. If you notice something different about your tongue, it’s a good idea to seek medical advice as soon as possible.
Bacteria located on our tongue can cause bad breath. 4 Nobody wants to have – or smell – bad breath. However, as bacteria on your tongue interacts with the food and drink you consume, it creates a chemical reaction that can cause odour.
Ultimately, understanding how to clean your tongue will help you to ensure good oral health. So, let’s move on to show you the simple steps for cleaning your tongue.
How to clean a tongue efficiently and effectively
It’s quite easy to clean and brush your tongue, so it will be simple enough to add it to your daily oral hygiene routine. Follow these three simple steps for how to clean your tongue well:
Always start with the basics of good oral hygiene.Your tongue is only as clean as the rest of your mouth. Start your oral hygiene routine by making sure you always brush your teeth at least twice a day, for at least two minutes, with a gentle toothbrush.
Next, make sure you brush your tongue.The second step, and the most obvious one when it comes to cleaning your tongue, is brushing your tongue. This will help you to dislodge bacteria accumulated on the surface of your tongue. Here’s how to brush your tongue:
Stick your tongue out.
Scrape from the back of your tongue to the tip with your toothbrush.
It is preferable to use the back of the brush head if it’s equipped with a tongue-scraper specially created for the spongy tongue surface.
Rinse the tongue scraper between each passing to avoid putting the scraped bacteria back into your mouth.
Use antibacterial mouthwash. This is an especially important step if you have mouth ulcers or wounds. Antibacterial mouthwash can help these heal faster and also prevent toothbrushing from becoming painful.
Tip: Even electric toothbrushes can be equipped with a specialist tongue cleaner, like the Philips DiamondClean Smart Series with TongueCare+ toothbrush head. The integrated tongue scraper can be replaced regularly with the toothbrush head.
How to protect your oral health now that you know how to brush your tongue
Cleaning your tongue and following our steps to maintain your oral hygiene with the correct toothbrushing technique, flossing and more are only half the story. There is no better protection for your oral health than preventing issues from arising in the first place. With that in mind here are some top tips to protect your oral health now that you know how to clean your tongue well:
Limit your intake of coffee.
Reduce or quit smoking and using tobacco products.
Reduce your alcohol consumption.
Consume sugary foods and drinks in moderation.
Rinse with water, then brush your teeth and tongue half an hour after eating (or drinking) sugary or acidic foods and drinks.
So, there you go. Should you brush your tongue? Yes! Is it difficult to do? No! There really is nothing complicated about brushing your tongue. Now you know how to brush a tongue in three simple steps, all you need to do is add this to your daily routine. In no time at all it will be second nature and your mouth will be clean and healthy.
