1. Brushing your teeth dislodges and removes decomposing food and plaque accumulated since your  last brushing. It does that with the digging action of the bristle ends when you apply the brush firmly against the places to be cleaned and move the brush up and down with short strokes.

2. Press hard enough to force some of the bristles into crevices and pits without injuring your gums.

3. Dental professionals recommend a toothbrush with soft, round bristles that can clean out plaque without damaging gums.

4. Brush all of the surfaces of all of your teeth at least twice a day for at least two minutes each brushing. Brush your gums, your tongue, and the roof of your mouth for good circulation.

5. Brushing every surface of every tooth and your gums after eating are your primary defenses against periodontal disease. Seeing your dentist or periodontist regularly is your next best defense.

6. Don’t forget to brush and floss at least twice a day. You know you do.

Keep smiling.

Saundra Goodman
Got Teeth? A Survivor’s Guide
How to keep your teeth or live without them.
www.gotteethguide.com for your Free Tips.

Dental insurance is a forgotten subset of health insurance. Dental care and dental insurance are issues that must be addressed in the fight for health care reform.

1. Forty-seven million Americans have no insurance; seven million are ages 50-64.
2. People without dental insurance don’t get the care or the teeth they need. If they can’t eat, they get sick and ultimately cost the government more money than they would have if they had gotten proper dental care, defeating the purpose of affordable health care.

When did prevention become unaffordable?

1. Dental disease is as related to overeating as it is to diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, obesity, and osteoporosis.
2. People who are missing teeth suffer from digestive problems due to the inability to chew, inadequate nutritional intake, and therefore, a decreased quality of life. [Read more →]