Tooth brushing Mistake No.10: “Not Changing the Toothbrush Often Enough” 1

Tooth brushing Mistake No.10: “Not Changing the Toothbrush Often Enough”

tooth

It is an easy thing to overlook. Even if you think about it while brushing your teeth, you may still forget to pick up a new toothbrush the next time you go to the store. The standard length of time for a toothbrush to be in service is three months. If you have braces or other fixed orthodontic appliances, the metal surfaces can wear out a toothbrush much faster. Plus, you may find yourself brushing more often to remove food particles from around orthodontic appliances.

Problems With Old Toothbrushes

The first thing that comes to mind is bacterial buildup. Bacteria are microscopic and not all of them rinse away. A toothbrush is not sterilized with hot water from the faucet. The temperature needed to sterilize a toothbrush would likely destroy it. The holes that hold the bristles can be a good breeding ground for bacteria. Also, the mechanical effectiveness of your old toothbrush is affected due to wear. Over time, the bristles begin to bend and flatten, reducing their effectiveness of removing plaque at the gum line and tooth surfaces.

Partials, Bridges and Removable Braces

If you wear a removable dental appliance, such as a partial, or Invisalign braces that are in contact with your teeth for many hours of the day, you need a toothbrush in great shape to provide thorough cleaning of the gums and supporting teeth for partials and of your gums when wearing Invisalign products. Plaque can turn to tartar (calculus) in as little as 24 hours. Tartar needs to be scraped away during a cleaning the next time you visit your orthodontist. Partials and Invisalign can let the bacteria that forms plaque develop quickly on covered tooth and gum surfaces.

Your toothbrush is one of the least expensive devices you can buy to help ensure your continued good dental health. If you have diabetes or other medical conditions that can have an impact on your dental health, your orthodontist may suggest you replace your toothbrush more often than every three months. Since toothbrushes are inexpensive, keep extra ones on hand.

Schedule an Orthodontic Examination in Larkspur Today

In Marin County, Calif., you can visit Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics to have an examination and treatment from these professionals:

• Dr. Jasmine Gorton
• Dr. Bill Schmohl
• Dr. Jeff Nichelini

An orthodontist will discuss orthodontic options with you to repair problems such as crowded teeth,crossbites or overbites. Depending on your malocclusions, you can wear one of these devices:

• Retainers
• Invisalign
• WildSmiles
• Braces with colors
• Traditional or Damon Clear

We also offer WowSmiles and Acceledent options to our orthodontic patients. Schedule an appointment by calling 415-459-8006 today.

Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics
900 Larkspur Landing Circle,Suite 200 Larkspur CA 94939 Tel: (415)-459-8006

Tooth brushing Mistake No.10: “Not Changing the Toothbrush Often Enough”

Tooth brushing Mistake No.9: “Not Letting the Toothbrush Dry" 2

Tooth brushing Mistake No.9: “Not Letting the Toothbrush Dry”

toothbrush

You may think that once you’ve got your kids brushing their teeth regularly without constant reminders from you, you have won the battle of teaching your kids great dental habits. If you have spent time and money at the orthodontist getting Invisalign braces for your kids, then the last thing you want to do is fail to make sure they take the best care of their teeth that they can. But there are plenty of mistakes that can be made even if you are brushing on a regular basis, and not all of them are even connected to the way that you brush your teeth.

Why You Should Let Your Toothbrush Dry

One of those mistakes is not letting the toothbrush dry. This might be one you’ve never even thought of. After all, when you hear about dental health, it’s usually all about making sure that you brush and floss regularly, avoiding too many sweets and getting regular check-ups. If you are told anything about your toothbrush, it’s usually that you need to make sure that it has the right type of bristles.

But just as leaving anything wet can lead to the growth of bacteria, this is true for your toothbrush as well. When you have finished using your toothbrush, you should rinse it and then set it someplace where it will dry. The best way to store it is upright. Even if you brush your teeth several times each day, your toothbrush should have enough time to air dry if it is left in that position.

Schedule an Orthodontic Examination in Larkspur Today

In Marin County, Calif., you can visit Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics to have an examination and treatment from these professionals:

• Dr. Jasmine Gorton
• Dr. Bill Schmohl
• Dr. Jeff Nichelini

An orthodontist will discuss orthodontic options with you to repair problems such as crowded teeth,crossbites or overbites. Depending on your malocclusions, you can wear one of these devices:

• Retainers
• Invisalign
• WildSmiles
• Braces with colors
• Traditional or Damon Clear

We also offer WowSmiles and Acceledent options to our orthodontic patients. Schedule an appointment by calling 415-459-8006 today.

Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics
900 Larkspur Landing Circle,Suite 200 Larkspur CA 94939 Tel: (415)-459-8006

Tooth brushing Mistake No.9: “Not Letting the Toothbrush Dry”

marin wow smile patient sydney

I Don’t Have Any Dental Problem: Should I Still Visit and Orthodontist

You’ve gotten a clean bill of health from your dentist, but does that mean there are no more oral health issues that can trip you up? No. Even if your teeth are strong, it is a good idea to check with a specialist to ensure that that your teeth are aligned correctly.

Read more

Tooth brushing Mistake No.8: “Not Following Up With a Rinse” 3

Tooth brushing Mistake No.8: “Not Following Up With a Rinse”

rinse

There are professional opinions and studies to support both sides of this issue, so a person has to decide what the right answer is for the whole family so they can take the best possible care of their teeth.

Why You Should Follow Up With A Rinse

  1. Rinse well after brushing and flossing because it clears your mouth of all the food debris and plaque that you just removed.
  2. Do your routine the last thing before going to bed when there is no more eating or drinking.
  3. Use plain water to rinse and then use a mouthwash with fluoride, which will help against decay and help to strengthen the teeth.
  4. Do not rinse first, for brushing will take it off. The rinse is meant for afterwards so that it can continue to work its beneficial effect of the daily tooth-protecting fluoride exposure.
  5. Rinsing is important because swallowing toothpaste can irritate the stomach.

Learn More about Orthodontia at Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics

Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics is located in Larkspur, Calif., in Marin County. There are three experts at our facility who can determine if you need to wear aligners or braces. Schedule an appointment with an orthodontist:

• Dr. Jeff Nichelini
• Dr. Bill Schmohl
• Dr. Jasmine Gorton

To make your orthodontic treatment more personalized or faster, you can choose to use the Acceledent or WowSmiles systems along with these devices:

• WildSmiles
• Damon Clear
• Invisalign
• Retainers

Visit Gorton and Schmol Orthodontics today to schedule an appointment and learn more about how the Invisalign system can help you.

Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics
900 Larkspur Landing Circle,Suite 200 Larkspur CA 94939 Tel: (415)-459-8006

Tooth brushing Mistake No.8: “Not Following Up With a Rinse”

Tooth Brushing Mistake No.7: “Skipping Inner Tooth Surfaces” 4

Tooth Brushing Mistake No.7: “Skipping Inner Tooth Surfaces”

tooth

Make Sure to Brush the Inner Surfaces of Your Teeth

Skipping the inner surfaces of teeth is a common tooth brushing mistake that adults, teenagers and children make. Unfortunately, this bad habit can lead to you having tooth decay and halitosis. Get into the habit of beginning to brush your teeth occasionally on the inner surfaces to make sure food particles are removed. By using high-quality toothpaste that contains fluoride, you are less likely to have a buildup of plaque that leads to cavities and bad breath. If you are having problems brushing the inner surfaces of your teeth because there are misalignments, then invest in oral irrigators that uses pressurized water streams to dislodge the debris that is located between your teeth.

Visit an Orthodontist for a Complete Examination

When it is difficult to keep teeth clean because your teeth overlap, make sure to visit an orthodontist for an examination. It is possible to schedule appointments for children and parents during one office visit to an orthodontic facility. With a thorough examination that includes X-rays, you will learn if you need braces or Invisalign aligners. Younger children always must wear some type of braces because aligners are not designed for them. However, teenagers and adults enjoy wearing clear, plastic aligners to repair their mild malocclusions.

Schedule an Orthodontic Examination in Larkspur Today

In Marin County, Calif., you can visit Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics to have an examination and treatment from these professionals:

• Dr. Jasmine Gorton
• Dr. Bill Schmohl
• Dr. Jeff Nichelini

An orthodontist will discuss orthodontic options with you to repair problems such as crowded teeth,crossbites or overbites. Depending on your malocclusions, you can wear one of these devices:

• Retainers
• Invisalign
• WildSmiles
• Braces with colors
• Traditional or Damon Clear

We also offer WowSmiles and Acceledent options to our orthodontic patients. Schedule an appointment by calling 415-459-8006 today.

Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics
900 Larkspur Landing Circle,Suite 200 Larkspur CA 94939 Tel: (415)-459-8006

Tooth Brushing Mistake No.7: “Skipping Inner Tooth Surfaces”

Tooth brushing Mistake No.6: “Starting in the Same Place Each Time” 5

Tooth brushing Mistake No.6: “Starting in the Same Place Each Time”

teeth

Ask any American orthodontist, and they will speculate that most people begin brushing their teeth in the same spot every time. If this brushing technique sounds familiar to you, then you could be doing your teeth a disservice. Starting in the same place each time prevents your teeth from getting the full range of attention that they need.

Why You Should Switch Up Your Brushing Routine

When you always start brushing in the same spot, you always end in the same spot. It is normal for people to get bored with brushing before they have finished cleaning every surface. Boredom usually leads to lazily brushing those last few teeth. This means that your typical end point always receives the same amount of attention — less than what the rest of your mouth gets.

Beginning to brush in a different place corrects this problem, even if you do get careless by the end of a brushing session. Over time, the superior focus that you begin with offsets any attempts on other areas of your mouth. Although rotating your starting point is beneficial, you should also try to remain aware of where you’ve brushed and where you want to brush next. Brushing this way ensures a better clean, which is especially important if you have braces or wear invisalign.

Learn More about Orthodontia at Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics

Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics is located in Larkspur, Calif., in Marin County. There are three experts at our facility who can determine if you need to wear aligners or braces. Schedule an appointment with an orthodontist:

• Dr. Jeff Nichelini
• Dr. Bill Schmohl
• Dr. Jasmine Gorton

To make your orthodontic treatment more personalized or faster, you can choose to use the Acceledent or WowSmiles systems along with these devices:

• WildSmiles
• Damon Clear
• Invisalign
• Retainers

Visit Gorton and Schmol Orthodontics today to schedule an appointment and learn more about how the Invisalign system can help you.

Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics
900 Larkspur Landing Circle,Suite 200 Larkspur CA 94939 Tel: (415)-459-8006

Tooth brushing Mistake No.6: “Starting in the Same Place Each Time”