Tooth Brushing 101 — For Grownups

Refresher Course And Reminder: Proper Technique Isn't The Same As For Kids!

(CBS)  You may think you learned what you need to know about brushing your teeth when you were a youngster.

But guess what? Your mouth has changed since then, and because of that you need a different technique.

On The Early Show Monday, Dr. Jim Eisdorfer, a cosmetic dentist who practices in New York City, offered tips to help you brush up on brushing your teeth as an adult.

Kids are taught to start at the gums and brush away from them, because their teeth are still forming and they need to spread fluoride over all surfaces, but that doesn't apply for adults. Since our teeth are fully formed, the necessary technique is different.

For adults, the target for toothbrushes is the gums. Whatever we do on the actual teeth is a bonus, and far less important. The goal now is to minimize the risk of gum disease, and attack any gum decay that may occur. The secret is moving the brush effectively along the gum line, at a 45-degree angle.

When you're done — brush your tongue! Some people use scrapers to clear the tongue, but brushing is fine, according to Eisdorfer.

Proper tooth brushing should take about two minutes.

Use a soft brush. Anything harder, even "medium" brushes, can wear enamel away. Eisdorfer suggests softening the bristles under hot water as you begin, and not continuing to wet them as you proceed. Don't use much toothpaste. And change brushes every eight weeks. At that point, bristles are probably already too worn out to work well.

And don't forget to floss! Most people dislike doing but, says Eisdorfer, it's really the most effective tool to keep mouths healthy. Brushing simply doesn't get between the teeth effectively enough.

The American Dental Association says taking care of your mouth is like cleaning your house: You can't do a proper job in your mouth with a single tool, such as your toothbrush, any more than you can maintain your house with just a broom. You need other instruments. In the case of dental care, that includes floss.

Also, toothpastes are marketed now with numerous features. Eisdorfer says you need fluoride, of course. Otherwise, the only thing to look for is tartar control. Don't bother with whitening toothpaste. The better way to whiten is actually to mix peroxide and baking soda yourself.

For much more from the American Dental Association on proper oral hygiene, click here.

[jfebiala]

How about some practical advice - like how to brush your tongue when it makes you gag?
Posted by cgesualdo at 09:47 AM : Apr 09, 2007

There are metal tongue scrapers available which you can easily clean your tongue without gagging. Usually found at Asian stores.

[nyscof]

Segments like this are an adjunct to advertising because it encourages the use of fluoridated toothpaste, product of one of media's biggest sources of advertising revenue, Procter & Gamble, and others.

Organized dentistry also benefits handily from fluoride products manufacturers. Too bad fluoride is not required for healthy teeth and can be harmful to your health. Let's see more information like that on the news

New York State Coalition Opposed to Fluoridation, Inc.
http://www.orgsites.com/ny/nyscof

Fluoridation News Releases
http://tinyurl.com/6kqtu

Tooth Decay Crises in Fluoridated Areas
http://www.fluoridenews.blogspot.com/

Fluoride Action Network http://www.FluorideAction.Net

Fluoride Journal http://www.FluorideResearch.Org

[nyscof]

Segments like this are an adjunct to advertising because it encourages the use of fluoridated toothpaste, product of one of media's biggest sources of advertising revenue, Procter & Gamble, and others.

Organized dentistry also benefits handily from fluoride products manufacturers. Too bad fluoride is not required for healthy teeth and can be harmful to your health. Let's see more information like that on the news

New York State Coalition Opposed to Fluoridation, Inc.
http://www.orgsites.com/ny/nyscof

Fluoridation News Releases
http://tinyurl.com/6kqtu

Tooth Decay Crises in Fluoridated Areas
http://www.fluoridenews.blogspot.com/

Fluoride Action Network http://www.FluorideAction.Net

Fluoride Journal http://www.FluorideResearch.Org

[oleander8]

You lose your credibility because as soon as you gratuitously insult someone - they mentally say "this person is a jerk, and has nothing to say that I want to hear".

[budshoes]

You've got to hand it to the people that sell you Dental "health": They are always finding new and funny ways of getting more money out of you. Not just brush.. use a "special" toothbrush.. with whirling, twirling, vibrating, pulsing, bleaching, super-anti-stain toothpaste, with new sonic self-cleaning, micro-groove technology... for the low, low price of 79.99. And don't forget to change your toothbrush ever 2 mintues or so...
I'm all for clean teeth.. but sometimes it sounds a lot like...hmmmm... snake oil.

[middleman8]

The best thing the American Dental Asoc. could do for dental care IS LOWER THEIR @#$% prices.

[matisyahu3]

I do not consider my comment to be rude but in fact constructive criticism. I'm merely suggesting the idea to think and use critical reasoning skills when brushing one's teeth. We can breath through our mouth and nose at different times. So why one would not try one over the other is beyond me. And explain how being rude makes me lose my credibility, if anything it just makes me an "a hole", which I would agree to

[erasmus6]

Extremophil
Actually there are probably people that do need lessons on wiping their a-s-s.

[oleander8]

[It's simple if you aren't a moron. "Stick out your tongue, breath through your nose, NOT YOUR MOUTH, and brush." Try thinking next time and you might accomplish something]
Posted by matisyahu3

The part of your comment with the quotes around it was worth reading - but once you added the rudeness and insulting comments you lost all credibility.

[graf9]

THIS TOOTHBRUSHING SEGMENT IS JUST ONE EXAMPLE OF WHY EARLY SHOW RATINGS ARE SO BAD. THANKS FOR BOOKING ANOTHER GUEST THAT MEANS ABSOLUTLEY NOTHING TO ME OR 99% OF YOUR VIEWERS. WHY DON'T YOU INTERVIEW DAVID EVANGELISTE ABOUT "HOW TO BRUSH HAIR". THAT'S UP THERE WITH "HOW TO WIPE YOUR REAR PROPERLY".