When is the best time to brush ?

Question

It is best to immediately brush after eating the meal, or one should wait for 20 mins. Some people say that there is acid in the food , so if you brush immediately after eating , you are doing more harm than any good.

Will eating sweets causes trouble for periodontal patients even if you brush immediately after consuming it ?

Is tea good or bad for the teeth ? As tea is acidic, can it affect the tooth enamel.

Can prescribed mouthrinses help to control periodontal disease ?

What about taking Coenzyme Q10 (Co Q10) for gums disease ?

I need to do whatever it takes to come to good oral health, so any good advice will be helpful.

Answer 1

The best time to brush is first thing in the morning, then immediately after each meal be sure to floss and brush. Don't wait 20 minutes that time frame will allow plaque forming bacteria to start collecting and do their damage on your teeth. Rinse with warm water after drinking anything if you can't brush and before bed floss and brush again. Although this is the best way, it's not always practical and few follow through with the frequency. But if you have perio problems it's imperative that you clean well rather than leave anything sitting on your teeth and gums to do the damage. Some perio patients have problems with flossing and it not removing debris. Try using a proxy brush if you haven't already or the super floss. They come in different sizes and shapes so pick what will work best for you or check with your dentist for assistance. The best advice is brush well! You can brush 20 times a day and not do a bit of good at cleaning your teeth if you do it poorly. Try to spend at least 2-3 minutes with consistent brushing, stroking each tooth about 20 times with a gentle nervous type of motion. No harsh scrubbing, just soft gentle jiggle type of motion works the best. Being sure to brush the gums, palate and tongue as well. Leave no tooth surface untouched by the bristles of your brush! Then when you’re done, run your tongue all around your teeth especially at the gum line. If you feel any tooth that's not smooth then brush again you’re missing spots. It takes some time but in perio patients it's the only way of taking care of them if you want to keep them.

Now as for sweets, yes you can indulge as much as you like but a healthy diet is better for you. But don't forget to floss and brush immediately making sure to use the above technique.

Tea isn't bad for teeth, it just stains them easier. Much like coffee. It's acidic but won't remove any enamel. Enamel has many layers and is as strong as bone. Eating lemons are what we advise against due to the acidic content.

There are antibiotic mouth rinses such as Peridex which help but also causes staining. Ask your dentist what he prefers you to use. Most patients use Listerine and it works just as well but "does not" replace brushing or flossing as your primary method of cleaning.

I would also ask your dentist about supplement medications since he would need to check what other medications you are taking for other health problems.

The best advice I can offer you for the treatment and retention of your teeth and health of your gums is to visit your dentist and periodontist at the required visits of every 3-4 months. I know it's a lot but they are advising and monitoring your teeth and gums to keep them as healthy as possible and to prevent any further bone loss or increased mobility so you may retain them for many years to come. Perio disease doesn't mean you are going to end up in dentures, only if left untreated will this happen. That's what your dentist and periodontist are working with you to prevent from happening. I hope I've answered your questions and help with them all today. Good luck and keep up with the excellent brushing and flossing and you'll keep the disease from progressing any further.

Answer 2

Brush after every meal. the wait time does not affect hygeine dramatically but if you can brush immediately after. The Acid is the source of plaque and cavities. The longer the acid is in you mouth the more harm it can do.

You have some detailed questions that seem to be unique to the patient. I would suggest you refer this questions to your dentist, as he knows your medical history and dental condition. Talk to your dentist and follow his advice. He is a much more reliable source than Yahoo Answers.

Answer 3

hair brush or tooth brush? i just lay the hair brush down where ever i am and i put my toothbrush on the edge of the sink in case my teeth look like they didnt get clean and i need to brush again other wise i put it back in the toothbrush holder thingy

Answer 4

The best thing you can do to keep good oral health and deter periodontal problems is get your teeth cleaned at least every 6 months. If you build calculus at a quick rate you may ned 3 month cleanings. You hygienist will recomend what is best for you.

Answer 5

Brush your teeth right after meals
Eating sweets is bad for ANY dental patients
Tea is BAD...stains the hell out of them
Over the counter stuff works just fine
Q10...it's still being tested, as of now it's still up in the air if it does anything

Answer 6

After every meal

Answer 7

you know wat?

people should brush whenever they feel like it!

j/k, i brush 30 min. after every meal