Crazy Dental Fun Facts! You Can’t Afford Not to Know!
Did you know that right handed people brush the left side of their mouth better and longer, while left handed people typically brush their right side longer? Isn’t it just amazing, the things we can tell about our patients, just from their teeth!
Did you know that the side that you typically chew on is actually CLEANER than the side you don’t chew on? It’s true! The act of chewing actually helps clean your teeth!!
People commonly think that it is the food itself that is causing the cavities, but nope! It’s actually the bacteria that is stuck on your teeth, the bacteria that you’re not brushing off, and not flossing off.
That bacteria feeds off of your food, and then secretes a nasty acid into your mouth. This acid is what causes the cavities, gum disease, and bone disease.
So chewing is GOOD!
And chewing sugarless gum helps fight cavities and gum disease! It’s true!
I’ve seen patients who are not chewing on one side of their mouth at all, for various reasons, actually build up dead bacteria (tartar) on the top chewing surfaces of their teeth. This isn’t the norm and is a sign that we dental professionals use to find out what might be going on with that person.
Did you know that EVERYONE builds the most tartar on their lower front teeth? You’re not alone! It’s not just you!
Your largest saliva gland is right there under your tongue, and saliva is what makes tartar! Ever heard the word “gleeking?” Look it up on YouTube! :) It’s when a person PURPOSELY shoots saliva out of their mouth from underneath their tongue…Well, that’s that crazy saliva glad of ours. The plaque that builds up on our lower front teeth doesn’t stand a chance against that gland. Our saliva is what turns our plaque into tartar.
If you have a permanent orthodontic retainer there, it sure doesn’t help, because most people aren’t diligent about flossing under it, but it’s not the actual cause for that tartar.
Our second largest saliva gland is on the cheek next to our upper molars! So, we tend to build up extra tartar there as well.
So, it’s not a bad idea to give these areas some special attention.
If you already have recession, or “rolled gums,” it is highly likely that it will turn into permanent recession.
To try and prevent this from progressing further, you can do the “roll technique” when brushing.
Using this technique, you touch your gum tissue with the brush and then roll AWAY from the gums. Like you’re rolling them back into place where they should be.
So, on the bottom teeth, you would touch your gumline and then roll the brush upwards. On the top teeth, you would touch your gumline and then roll the brush downward. Give it a try!
If you have recession and your dentist recommends an extra soft toothbrush, like the Nimbus toothbrush, which feels like Heaven on your teeth by the way, be sure to keep this in mind…. you’ll need to brush a little LONGER to be sure you get all of that plaque off. Extra soft toothbrushes require a little extra time, but they are wonderful and saving your gums.
If you want to be even more diligent about brushing, by getting under your gumline a little more, “the bass technique” is wonderful. It’s great for cleaning up under the shelves that crowns have, and perfect for extra stubborn and inflamed gum areas.
To do this technique, simply place your toothbrush at a 45 degree angle towards your gums…push, slide, and fray the bristles underneath those gums, and then gently JIGGLE the brush while the bristles are underneath the gums.
DON’T SCRUB while those bristles are underneath the gumline, or you will hurt your gums. Just JIGGLE. The gentle jiggle motion is enough to remove the plaque that is stuck on the teeth and sitting on the shelves of the crowns and fillings.
Move to the next area that you want to clean extra well and do the same.
There are also all kinds of different gadgets, if you’re interested, for the harder to clean areas. Click here to learn more about them!
Did you know that the first toothbrushes were sticks? The sticks were broken and the end was softened with water, then frayed apart a bit so that it could be rubbed on the teeth. Pretty innovative huh?
Change your toothbrush every 3 months…more so for the bacteria it grows than for the bristles being worn. Remember, your bristles should never look worn if you’re brushing correctly.
Feel free to place your toothbrush head in some hydrogen peroxide every now and then, or if you get sick and don’t have a replacement. It will control the bacteria level for you.
Your best cleaning routine, in a nutshell:
Be sure to brush ALL sides of EVERY single tooth in your mouth. Don’t brush randomly, with a little here and a little there. Make that pattern. Picture it in your mind.
Floss in between, on those final sides where the toothbrush can’t reach. That’s why floss was invented!
Swish with some mouthwash to catch the last tidbits that you may have missed (none of us are entirely perfect). Make this your routine and you will be GOLDEN!
Finally, get your teeth cleaned on a regular basis, to remove any plaque that has turned into tartar. You need to keep your hygienist close.
If you want to continue on to be the smartest tooth brusher around, keep reading the SODA that we have spilled for you on brushing in general! Click here!
See you there!
Thanks so much for reading and letting us spill our SODA! Remember to take the time to find your HONEST DENTIST, and be sure to browse around our links and follow us on social media for answers to more of your exciting dental questions! like:
