Wash Your Mouth!

So we are talking about three things you can do to 'tip the scales' in your favor as far as beating the bad bacteria in your mouth.  First, cleaning the bacteria out is crucial, for obvious reasons.

You know how to do it!  Brush your teeth!  Go to the dentist to have professional cleanings as often as recommended!  So, but you might say you do these things already and you still get cavities.  Well, there are some of us who have to work harder to clean than others.  It isn't fair, but it's reality.  Don't worry, though, there are also other things you can do to change the results you're getting which we'll talk about in the next two posts.

Back to washing your mouth:  there are two good analogies to help you know if you're doing a good job brushing.  Your dentist can help you know if there is anything you can do to improve, but here are two things to keep in mind.

First, it's not about pressure, it's about time.  Brush for a couple of minutes at least, brushing lightly so the tips of the bristles do the work, not your forearm!

Second, don't rinse off the toothpaste!  That's right, rinsing with water after brushing removes much of the benefit of the toothpaste.  So, find a toothpaste you like the flavor of, then brush, spit, and walk away!  The toothpaste will continue to work for about 30-60 minutes.  Don't worry about swallowing it, such small amounts won't hurt you.