It's friction that cleans teeth! Brush and floss often. See your dentist every 6 months to a year.

Did you know that keeping your teeth and gums in good shape is all about friction? That's right. Friction. You could have the most advanced toothbrush and toothpaste in the world, but without friction, you won't accomplish healthy teeth and gums.

The first step in our in our quest for a healthy mouth is to understand what it is that we are trying to avoid. Of course, what we are talking about is not only tooth decay, but also Gum Disease (Periodontitis). So, what is Gum Disease or Periodontitis? Well, it's a condition that occurs when bacteria stays in your mouth long enough to leave behind a waste product. If you're an adult, you may recall science class where you learned that bacteria is actually alive. Like any other living thing, bacteria produces a waste product. So, it only makes sense that if you leave bacteria from food in your mouth too long that the bacteria has time to have a snack and leave a waste product. That waste product causes various degrees of damage to your gums and teeth. Yikes.

Now . . . now . . . have no fear. You have a solution to this problem. The solution is friction. The best way to avoid bacteria staying in your mouth too long is to remove it from your teeth and gums with friction. You should brush and floss regularly (and rinse well when you're done) so as to physically remove the bacteria from your mouth. When you floss, you reach spots that your toothbrush can't reach. This is very important because the bacteria that your toothbrush doesn't reach can cause tooth decay and Gum Disease. In addition to taking care of your teeth and gums at home, you should also see a dentist for professional cleaning every six months to a year. That's because even brushing and flossing at home cannot remove all the bacteria waste product that accumulates in your mouth. The teeth cleaning that a dentist or dental assistant performs will remove the unwanted byproduct and give you a fresh start. So, it's not so important which toothpaste you buy. You can get the multicolored gel, or the one with Elmo's picture on the tube, or even regular baking soda from your pantry. The important thing is that you

1. Use your toothbrush after meals to scrub your teeth so as to remove food and bacteria from your mouth.
2. Floss regularly with any kind of floss you like.
3. Thoroughly rinse your mouth with water after brushing and flossing.
4. See your dentist every six months to a year for a professional teeth cleaning.

I would prefer the cool glow-in-the-dark floss, but I can't seem to find any.

Of course, even though you know how to avoid periodontal disease, you should still know what indicates the first phase of periodontal disease. Some people inherit a tendency to be more susceptible to gum disease than others. So, even though you are brushing and flossing, be aware of the following warning signs

1. Gums bleed when you brush.
2. Gums are red, swollen or tender.
3. Gums have pulled away (receded) from teeth.
4. Pus between teeth and gums when gums are pressed.
5. Permanent teeth are loose or separating.
6. Change in the way your teeth fit when biting.
7. Any changes in fit of partial dentures.
8. Persistent bad breath.

Remember, a clean and healthy mouth is all about using friction.