Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste for at least two minutes each time you brush.
Do not brush your teeth right after eating or drinking anything containing a lot of acid (like fruit or coffee) or immediately after throwing up (for 30-60 minutes). That is to say, brush before eating breakfast and an hour after eating dinner. Remember though, brushing is always better than not brushing. If you can’t wait a half hour to brush your teeth, drink water to help saliva production beforehand. Bonus points if it’s tap water because then it probably had some fluoride in it which will also help coat your teeth. NOTE: Do not rinse your mouth after brushing your teeth (if you really feel the need use a fluoride mouthwash); use a soft or extra soft bristle toothbrush; brush your teeth is in circles, going section by section, with your brush at an angle, and be sure to include your gum line.
- Tip: Clean tongue after brushing, then spit
- Tip: If you know it will be well over an hour after eating but before brushing, swish with water so food doesn’t stay lodged between the teeth and drinks that have staining potential don’t sit
- Tip: Flossing once a day before brushing your teeth is generally more effective, so I would recommend flossing before brushing your teeth for bed
- Tip: Store your toothbrush in a drawer or cabinet and be sure to close the lid when you flush your toilette or it’s sprayed everywhere! Ew.
P.S. If the bristles are bending, you are brushing too hard!
P.P.S. With consistent use (twice a day for seven days a week) – the average life of a toothbrush is about three months (about 200 uses).
Fun Fact: If an adult tooth is knocked out, and it can’t be placed back in its socket, transport it in cow’s milk to the emergency room or emergency dentist (preferably within an hour) for re-implantation; if you don’t have milk on hand, hold the tooth in between your cheek and gums so that your saliva can keep it moist; and only handle the tooth by the crown
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