#Thread about brushing your teeth:
When I came back from the US in late 2018, one of my goals was to create awareness about oral health. I was very surprised to hear how many people don't know its essential to brush multiple times.
#oralhealth #preventivecare #brushyourteeth
When I came back from the US in late 2018, one of my goals was to create awareness about oral health. I was very surprised to hear how many people don't know its essential to brush multiple times.
#oralhealth #preventivecare #brushyourteeth
So I created this poll and the results confirmed my fear. More than 50% said they brush ONCE a day! So here goes.
Teeth can get two main diseases: Caries/cavities and periodontal/gum disease. Both are multi factorial but start with two main factors: Diet and oral hygiene.
Teeth can get two main diseases: Caries/cavities and periodontal/gum disease. Both are multi factorial but start with two main factors: Diet and oral hygiene.
Genes play a role but let's not blame our parents and their parents for our faults.
Basically food left on teeth causes caries and under the gums causes periodontal issues. Plain and simple. Some foods are worse than others but oral hygiene is key. So lets start with brushing.
Basically food left on teeth causes caries and under the gums causes periodontal issues. Plain and simple. Some foods are worse than others but oral hygiene is key. So lets start with brushing.
Fact 1: An average individual needs to brush at least 3 times a day. Ideally FOUR!
1) As soon as you wake up
2) After breakfast
4) Before going to bed.
#3 ideally is after lunch but if school/work make it difficult then as soon as you come home.
There is no debate here!
1) As soon as you wake up
2) After breakfast
4) Before going to bed.
#3 ideally is after lunch but if school/work make it difficult then as soon as you come home.
There is no debate here!
What this does is remove the food particles and hence largely minimizes the risk of caries. If you skip brushing for ONE day, look at your teeth right after you eat the next day. You will know how easily soft particles accumulate!
It also helps keeps the gums clean.
It also helps keeps the gums clean.
Fact 2: An electric/battery operated toothbrush is essential.
Too many people believe an electric toothbrush destroys enamel! NO WAY! I have used one for years and I have all my enamel intact.
It ensures you brush ALL surfaces of ALL teeth.
It ensures you brush long enough!
Too many people believe an electric toothbrush destroys enamel! NO WAY! I have used one for years and I have all my enamel intact.
It ensures you brush ALL surfaces of ALL teeth.
It ensures you brush long enough!
2 minutes is a LONG time.
It ensures it gets slightly under your gums and keeps the "sulcus" clean.
It keeps the junction between old dental work and teeth free of deposits!
And dental work is NOT a vaccine. You can and you will get caries and infection on old work.
It ensures it gets slightly under your gums and keeps the "sulcus" clean.
It keeps the junction between old dental work and teeth free of deposits!
And dental work is NOT a vaccine. You can and you will get caries and infection on old work.
People are astonished when I say "You have a cavity under the old crown" or "You have an infection under this old root canal".
If there is food accumulating, bacteria will get there and produce acids which cause caries. Caries leads to infection. Hence keeping teeth with work
If there is food accumulating, bacteria will get there and produce acids which cause caries. Caries leads to infection. Hence keeping teeth with work
done on them clean is even more important.
Fact 3: A fluoride containing toothpaste is crucial.
Fluoride makes the enamel more resistant to the action of acids mentioned above. Hence ensure your toothpaste has fluoride in it. The proven one is Colgate Total.
Fact 3: A fluoride containing toothpaste is crucial.
Fluoride makes the enamel more resistant to the action of acids mentioned above. Hence ensure your toothpaste has fluoride in it. The proven one is Colgate Total.
But any paste with fluoride in it works.
Fact 3: Powders and manjans are harmful.
These products contain abrasives which damage your enamel. Same with the "whitening toothpastes" or "baking soda".
Who came up with the idea of using baking soda to brush teeth any way?
Fact 3: Powders and manjans are harmful.
These products contain abrasives which damage your enamel. Same with the "whitening toothpastes" or "baking soda".
Who came up with the idea of using baking soda to brush teeth any way?
Fact 4: You need to brush the INSIDE surfaces of teeth TOO!
I am always amazed when I see patients, in India or the US, with perfectly clean outside and biting surfaces but large deposits on the inside. Specially the inside of your lower teeth.
Thats where the food is right?
I am always amazed when I see patients, in India or the US, with perfectly clean outside and biting surfaces but large deposits on the inside. Specially the inside of your lower teeth.
Thats where the food is right?
Thats why an electric brush helps. Start from the outside, go to the top and finish with the inside surfaces.
Fact 5: You need to brush your kid's teeth. I will post a separate thread on what toothpaste to use for them. But from age 15 months, start brushing their teeth.
Fact 5: You need to brush your kid's teeth. I will post a separate thread on what toothpaste to use for them. But from age 15 months, start brushing their teeth.
Use a soft kids brush and drinking water. Get them used to it.
But they need to see YOU do it. If you do that, they will follow. Make it a game. Sing songs. Let them "brush" your teeth. But do it!
I will end this thread of repeating this most important point:
But they need to see YOU do it. If you do that, they will follow. Make it a game. Sing songs. Let them "brush" your teeth. But do it!
I will end this thread of repeating this most important point:
Fact 1: An average individual needs to brush at least 3 times a day. Ideally FOUR!
1) As soon as you wake up
2) After breakfast
4) Before going to bed.
#3 ideally is after lunch but if school/work make it difficult then as soon as you come home.
There is no debate here!
1) As soon as you wake up
2) After breakfast
4) Before going to bed.
#3 ideally is after lunch but if school/work make it difficult then as soon as you come home.
There is no debate here!
Hope this information was useful. Please implement this from today. Set reminders on your phone. Mark it on the calendar. Do whatever it takes.
BRUSH 4 TIMES A DAY!
#oralhealth #teeth #brushing #cavities #caries #gumdisease #adults #kids #dentist
BRUSH 4 TIMES A DAY!
#oralhealth #teeth #brushing #cavities #caries #gumdisease #adults #kids #dentist
Please do share for the greater good of society. Our diet (separate thread) is destroyng our teeth. DO yoru part to prevent that!
#oralhealth #teeth #brushing #cavities #caries #gumdisease #adults #kids #dentist
#oralhealth #teeth #brushing #cavities #caries #gumdisease #adults #kids #dentist
In response to common questions:
1) Oral B and SonicCare are the best brands. If someone is coming from the West, have them get you one.
2) FLossing is VERY IMPORTANT. Important enough to get it's own thread later.
3) Using a mouth rinse is a separate thread too.
#teeth
1) Oral B and SonicCare are the best brands. If someone is coming from the West, have them get you one.
2) FLossing is VERY IMPORTANT. Important enough to get it's own thread later.
3) Using a mouth rinse is a separate thread too.
#teeth
