Health Leader, Tips on Tooth Brushing

Tips on Tooth Brushing

What is the best way to brush?
One effective technique involves using a circular motion to brush a couple of teeth at a time, gradually covering the entire mouth.

Place a toothbrush beside your teeth at a 45-degree angle and gently brush teeth in an elliptical motion.

Brush the front of the teeth, behind the teeth, the tongue and chewing surfaces, and between teeth.

Using a back-and-forth motion causes the gum surface to recede, or can expose the root surface or make the root surface tender. You also risk wearing down the gum line.

Soft or hard bristles?

A toothbrush head should be small (1" by 1/2") for easy access.
It should have a long, wide handle for a firm grasp.
It should also have soft, nylon bristles with round ends.
Some brushes are too abrasive and can wear down teeth.
A soft, rounded, multi-tufted brush can clean teeth effectively.
Press just firmly enough to reach the spaces between the teeth as well as the surface.
Medium and hard bristles are not recommended.

How long should I brush?

Dentists generally recommend brushing 3-4 minutes.
Using an egg timer is a good way to measure your brushing time.
Patients generally think they're brushing longer, but most spend less than a minute brushing.
Brush the full 3-4 minutes twice a day instead of brushing quickly five or more times through the day.

Should I brush at work?

Yes! Keeping a toothbrush in your desk increases the chances that you'll brush during the day by 65 percent.
Brushing debris off teeth right away stops sugary snacks from turning into damaging acids, and catches starchy foods before they turn into cavity-causing sugar.
If you brush with fluoride toothpaste in the morning and before bed, you don't even need to use toothpaste at work.

Reprinted with permission from the Academy of General Dentistry

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Packing Bag Lunches Safely

If you pack lunches for your child to take to school, be careful that you do not accidentally expose them to foodborne illness.

Bagged lunches, especially those containing perishable foods, need to be packed and handled properly in order to keep the food safe. In general, perishable foods should not be left at room temperature for more than two hours. If left out too long, the temperature of the food can enter the danger zone where bacteria grow most rapidly, which is between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

Below are some tips to help families pack bagged lunches safely:

Pack foods that are nonperishable and won't require refrigeration.
If you do pack perishable foods such as luncheon meats or prepackaged cheese and crackers, include a frozen gel pack or a frozen juice carton with the food in an insulated lunch bag or box.
Pack only the amount of perishable food that your child can eat at lunch.
Preparing lunches the night before and storing them in the refrigerator until you pack your child's lunchbox in the morning can help keep food cold longer the next day.
Don't reuse packaging materials such as paper or plastic bags, aluminum foil, etc. as they can contaminate other foods and cause foodborne illness. Have your child discard all used food packaging and paper bags after lunch.

Before eating lunch or snacks at school, make sure your child washes his or her hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. If your child's school does not have a handwashing program in place, encourage them to adopt a such a program, as handwashing is one of the best ways kids and parents can protect health and stop the spread of germs.