Brushing teeth twice a day, or preferably after every meal, is a fundamental activity for maintaining healthy teeth and gums. It is certainly basic to circumventing the tooth decay that can lead to cavities and ultimately root canals, or even tooth loss.
 
Dr. Kourosh Maddahi, Beverly Hills family dentist, gives guidance on this essential health routine with every patient he sees. What a person eats, and how long it then remains in the mouth, is an important factor in dental health. The teeth are most distressed by any sugars, including the natural sugars found in fruit and dairy products.

Recently a survey was conducted by GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare. It found that American adults felt their oral health care habits fell short of recommended guidelines. Many also said they forego at least one of the three basic oral hygiene habits – brushing and flossing at least once a day and annual cleanings.

The public surveyed did say they know why they need to take care of their teeth. The most common reasons among Americans for brushing their teeth are to keep the gums and teeth healthy (84 percent). 80 percent said they brush to clean the teeth of food and other debris. Almost half of those surveyed said that they have not had their teeth cleaned by a dentist or dental hygienist within the past year.
 
A few somewhat humorous facts: 77 percent of adults brush their teeth more thoroughly than usual before they see the dentist (Imagine that!). Also, 73 percent of American adults would not be involved with someone who did not brush at least once a day. 41 percent say their partner has to brush twice per day.
 
There are so many choices of brushes when shopping in the dental aisle. According to Dr. Maddahi, “The important thing is that you choose a soft brush and that it has round-ended bristles. This will be sturdy enough to clean the teeth and stimulate the gums, but not to scrub them.”
 
“An electric toothbrush may help those who have difficulty brushing their teeth,” he continues, “but it has not proven to clean better than a regular toothbrush. And remember to replace your toothbrush every two to three months, as well as after colds, to keep it in top shape and sanitary.”
 
Flossing is also, of course, very important but frequently neglected. There are many types of floss to choose from: waxed, unwaxed, flat, ribbon, flavored, etc. Finding flossing implements that one likes can be very practical and for some they make flossing easier. Dr. Maddahi feels that the type of floss that is used is not important, as long as flossing is done daily.
 
Tooth decay can actually eat away from the tooth’s surface to the nerve in the center of the tooth in only a year. This is why regular dental checkups are necessary to maintaining good health. Dr. Maddahi suggests two check-ups per year.
 
Los Angeles family dentist, Dr. Kourosh Maddahi reminds his patients, “Eating good foods, brushing and flossing daily will help to avoid the decay that leads to cavities and root canals.” Make sure to plan regular visits to a dentist such as Dr. Kourosh Maddahi, in his Beverly Hills dentist office.

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