Daily Tips for Good Oral Hygiene in 2016

As we enter a new year, we all make a list of our New Year’s Resolutions. We seem to choose resolutions that will benefit our health, wealth and happiness. Starting off on the right foot is key, but more importantly is the ability to follow through and change your habits for the whole year.

Health always seems to rank high on the New Year’s Resolution List. A key component is one’s oral hygiene. Patient’s will ask me “how can I get rid of plaque?” Obviously the best way to get rid of plaque is by brushing your teeth three times a day with a soft tooth brush. Many patients only brush once or twice a day. If you brush only once, then you are either going to sleep with food and bacteria in your mouth, which can cause many problems including decay and gingivitis, or you are not brushing your teeth in the morning and talking to people all day with bad breath. Either way – that is disgusting. If you brush twice a day, then you are probably not brushing after lunch, leaving all that food and bacteria in your mouth all afternoon.

Brushing Tips:

• Place your toothbrush at a 45 degree angle against the gums.
• Move the brush back and forth gently in short strokes.
• Brush the outer tooth surfaces, the inner tooth surfaces, and the biting surfaces of the teeth.
• Use the tip of the brush to clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, using a gentle up and down stroke. Spend more time on the lower since this is were more plaque builds up.
• Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen your breath.

Resolution #1 – Brush 3 times a Day.

The first resolution to be dropped with regard to oral hygiene is flossing. If you brush your teeth but don’t floss, you are just fooling yourself that your mouth is clean. All that bacteria and plaque builds up in between your teeth and can be there for days and weeks if you don’t floss. Start making flossing a daily habit and do it at night before bed, not in the morning when we are all rushed.

Flossing Tips:

• Break off about 18 inches of floss and wind it around the middle fingers of each hand. Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers.
• Guide the floss between your teeth using gentle rubbing motion.
• When the floss reaches the gum line, curve it into a C shape against one tooth. Gently slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth.
• Bring the floss back towards the contact point between the teeth and move the floss up and down the other side, conforming the floss to the shape of the tooth.
• Hold the floss tightly against the tooth. Gently rub the side of the tooth, moving the floss away from the gum with up and down motions.
• Repeat this method on the rest of your teeth.

Resolution #2 –  Floss Daily.

The final part of the trilogy is rinsing. An antimicrobial rinse can decrease the plaque and gingivitis in your mouth. Fluoride rinses can help reduce the tooth decay. Listerine Total Care Zero has Fluoride in it with no alcohol. I like this product but please choose one that you like that fits the criteria of your goals.

Resolution #3 –  Rinse

Use these tips for a healthier and happier 2016. Keep flossing.
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Born and raised in San Diego, Dr. James Tasto attended University of San Diego High School where he lettered in both golf and wrestling. After earning a Bachelors in Science from Loyola Marymount University, Dr. Tasto graduated from University of Southern California Dental School with an emphasis on cosmetics and sports dentistry.  Dr. James Tasto was selected by his peers to be included in the List of Top Dentists in San Diego for 2007 – 2013.  He appeared in the May issue of San Diego Magazine.  Dr. Tasto is also a member of D.O.C.S. (Doctors Offering Charitable Services), a local organization that offers medical services such as plastic surgery, vision and dental to the less fortunate patients in San Diego.  Dr. Tasto currently resides in San Diego with his lovely wife Traci and their 3 children. He enjoys golf, beach volleyball and playing with his kids.