Proper tooth brushing involves four key things:

• The right tooth brush –   You need a soft bristle toothbrush
• The right toothpaste   –   You need toothpaste with fluoride
• Know your angles        -   You need to use the correct brushing angle
• Know the pattern         –   You need to know the correct brushing pattern

People at times seem to confuse themselves when thinking of how to properly care for their teeth. It is actually a simple process. Just like a mechanic, if you have the proper tools in your toolbox you can get the job done.

Get out your soft bristle toothbrush – You should brush your teeth at least twice a day, preferably after waking up and before going to bed. The bristles of a soft toothbrush are flexible which make it easier to remove food remains and plaque from your gum line. The soft bristles are also gentle on your gums, resulting in brushing comfort.

For brushing between those times I recommend Fresh Ups. It is a quick and easy way to clean your teeth and freshen your breath after meals, before meetings, and etc.
Get out your fluoride & whitening toothpaste – Using a toothpaste that contains fluoride is important. Fluoride stops the development of cavities and gives you added resistance toward future cavities. Floride hardens the outer enamel layer of the teeth.

Using a toothpaste that is for whitening will create or maintain a beautiful smile. We unknowingly stain our teeth with things that we consume or participate in daily. Drinking dark sodas, teas, coffee, red wine, and sport drinks. Eating tomato based sauces and chocolate. Smoking tobacco and use of smokeless tobacco all stain our teeth. Use of whitening toothpastes will help fight the staining that we cause during our daily routines. I recommend that you use a Multi-Action Whitening toothpaste from WhiteScience. You can find this cosmetic whitening toothpaste through distributors and select retail stores.

Practice your brushing angle – Take your toothbrush and angle the bristles of the brush along the gum line at a 45-degree angle. Hold the brush firmly and apply gentle pressure so the bristles slide under the gum line.

Use slow circular motions. Move the brush over the entire surface of two or three teeth at a time. Allow some overlap as you move to the next teeth. Tilt the brush and use the tip of the brush to get the backs of your front teeth.

Develop your brushing pattern – Everyone has their own pattern when brushing their teeth and that is fine. Be mindful though that the insides of the teeth tend to get less attention. You may want to develop a pattern that starts with the insides of the upper teeth, then go to the insides of the lower teeth. And then switch to the outsides of the upper teeth, and then the outsides of the lower teeth. Do not forget to brush the chewing surfaces of your upper and lower teeth. You should end the pattern by gently brushing your tongue and the roof of your mouth. This removes germs that may cause bad breath.

I hope that these brushing tips are helpful and that you apply them to your daily routine. Thanks for reading “The Art of the Smile” and see you soon.

You may not realize this but maintaining a healthy diet not only maintains your overall health, but impacts the health of your teeth. A balanced diet is very important in increasing and maintaining the health of a beautiful and white smile. Sticky and sugary foods lodge themselves in the grooves of your teeth and are difficult to clean up. They are not rich in fiber and hence are not digested easily. Meat can have the tendency to also lodge itself in grooves and cause mouth discomfort, gum irritation, and bad breath.

After eating you need to brush to ensure your teeth health. If you are a person on the go, I recommend Fresh Ups. Fresh Ups are the quick and easy way to clean your teeth & freshen your breath on the go, no water or sink are required. Just open the individually wrapped teeth wipe, slip on your finger and clean your teeth, gums and tongue.

The ADA (American Dental Association) states, ”Your body is like a complex machine. The foods you choose as fuel and how often you “fill up” affect your general health and that of your teeth and gums. Many dentists are concerned that their patients are consuming record numbers of sugar-filled sodas, sweetened fruit drinks, and non-nutritious snacks that affect their teeth. These items generally have little if any nutritional value and over time they can take a toll on teeth.

Eating patterns and food choices among children and teens are important factors that affect how quickly youngsters may develop tooth decay. When bacteria (plaque) come into contact with sugar in the mouth, acid is produced, which attacks the teeth for 20 minutes or more. This can eventually result in tooth decay.

Foods that contain sugars of any kind can contribute to tooth decay. Almost all foods, including milk or vegetables, have some type of sugar. However, they shouldn’t be removed from our diets because many of them contain important nutrients. And they add pleasure to eating. To help control the amount of sugar you consume, read food labels and choose foods and beverages that are low in added sugars. Added sugars often are present in soft drinks, candy, cookies and pastries.”

That is sound advice. If your diet lacks certain nutrients, it may be more difficult for tissues in your mouth to resist infection. This may contribute to periodontal (gum) disease, a major cause of tooth loss in adults. Although poor nutrition does not cause periodontal disease directly, many researchers believe that the disease progresses faster and could be more severe in people with nutrient-poor diets.

 Your teeth, just like other parts of your body require a certain amount of nutrients to ensure its health. Nutrients keep your teeth from  decaying and helpwith keeping your teeth white. Your eating regimen should include calcium rich foods to ensure your teeth get all the  nutrients required. Here are some foods that will protect the health of your teeth; milk, fresh fruits, vegetables, pastas, low sugar  cereals,  yogurt, cheese, nuts, juice (sugar free), peanut butter, and whole grain breads. Before eating any of the listed items, consult  your physician to ensure that you do not have food allergies.

Thanks for reading “The Art of the Smile” and see you soon.