Dental Hygiene, Twooth® Timer & YOU!
 

What You Don't Know Can Hurt You

It is safe to assume that everyone knows that you should brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day. But what a lot of people don't know is how long they should brush and why all of this is so important. Parents are always reminding their children to brush their teeth to prevent cavities. Hopefully they follow their own advice because poor oral hygiene may have a more adverse effect on health than just cavities or lost teeth.

Your Dental Health Affects Your General Health

Consider the mouth as a doorway to the body. "Periodontal disease, like most diseases, affects the entire body," according to Jack Klatell, DDS, Professor and Chairman, Department of Dentistry, Mount Sinai School of Medicine. When bacterial plaque builds up on your teeth, you are at risk for gingivitis, an early stage of periodontal disease, also known as gum disease. If left untreated, gingivitis can lead to periodontitis, affecting the gum, bone and supporting tissue of the teeth.  Plaque is a colorless film of bacteria that sticks to teeth. The bacteria associated with periodontal disease can enter your bloodstream and travel throughout your body. Heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory disease have all been linked to gum disease. In a recent National Institute of Health survey, 47% of the males and 37% of the females aged 18-64 exhibited some form of gingival bleeding.

  Warning Signs

•  Red, swollen, or tender gums
•  Bleeding while brushing or flossing
• Gums that pull away from teeth
• Loose or separating teeth
• Persistent bad breath
• Bad taste in mouth
• Sensitive teeth
• Pus around teeth and gums
• Calculus (brown, hard deposits) on teeth
• Pain when chewing

Ensure Your Dental Health

The good news is that periodontal disease is preventable, controllable and treatable. Obviously, prevention is the best choice. According to dental health experts, brushing and flossing, along with twice-yearly professional cleanings, will control the accumulation of plaque in most people. However, it is not only how you brush your teeth that counts... but also how long.

Experts recommend brushing your teeth for two minutes after meals or snacks. A study by the University of Newcastle upon Tyne School of Dentistry found that young adults spent less than 35 seconds brushing their teeth. Twooth® Timer should be part of a complete oral hygiene program. By enabling the user to accurately and conveniently time their teeth brushing, Twooth® Timer helps to ensure brushing for the recommended time, thereby improving dental hygiene.

Brushing Tips

• Use a soft-bristled toothbrush that allows you to reach every surface. Replace it if the bristles are bent or frayed, about every 2 to 3 months.

• Spend at least two minutes brushing your teeth. Use Twooth® Timer to make it simple and fun!

• Position the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle where your gums and teeth meet. Gently move the brush in a vibrating back & forth motion, brushing 2-3 teeth at a time.

• Maintain the 45-degree angle to gently brush along all of the inner tooth surfaces using a back, forth, and rolling motion.

• To clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, hold the brush vertically. Make several gentle back-and-forth strokes over each tooth and its surrounding gum.

• Use a gentle back and forth scrubbing motion to clean the biting surface of the teeth. Don't forget to brush the tongue from back to front to remove odor-producing bacteria.

People Of All Ages Will Benefit

Good dental hygiene is not only for children. A clean mouth or "house" will leave you more immune to infection and therefore not as apt to contract the infectious disease of periodontitis. Aside from the health aspects, adults benefit by having a healthy smile and reducing bad breath. It is never too early or too late to begin taking care of your teeth!

©2001 Antoinette de Janasz