Did you know that you are the single person who can have the greatest impact on your own oral hygiene? The majority of dental care needed for healthy teeth is done in the home by you. Regular maintenance of teeth and gums and good dental habits will keep you out of the dentist’s office with the exception of regular cleanings and checkups. There are many different reasons why daily oral hygiene is important, both for obvious reasons, and some that are not as obvious. Prevention of cavities and tooth decay are probably number one, but poor oral hygiene also contributes to gingivitis, peritonitis, and bad breath.

If you have a daily oral hygiene routine, and your mouth is healthy, chances are your overall health will also be good. Some research by the Academy of General Dentistry shows that your mouth also mirrors the condition of your body. Having poor oral health often means that you also have other health problems, some you may not even be aware of at the moment. They also suggest that there is a link between gum disease, and other health complications, such as heart disease, pre term babies, low birth weights in children, and even heart attacks and stroke. There are also a number of others diseases than may be related to poor oral health as well. Intestinal and kidney problems, Leukemia, and even some forms of diabetes are some of them.

There is a lot you can do to prevent this. Having a routine of daily oral hygiene must be started early, when you child starts getting their first tooth. You have to brush your teeth at least twice a day, in the morning and before bed. This also means routine flossing, and some kind of mouth rinse. It is probably best to rinse out your mouth first, to get any excess food particles that have accumulated over the course of a day. Then you should floss all those hard to reach areas. Making sure that you are getting around the gum line. You need to not only brush your teeth, but also take time to completely brush your tongue as well.

It is not enough to do these routines, but also do them properly as well. Over 75% of the population of the U.S., still have gingivitis and even more advanced gum disease, which translates that somewhere along the line, they aren’t doing something right. Many people think they can get away with just brushing for a few minutes, and only getting the area of their teeth that can be seen by others. This simply isn’t true, and is probably one of the reasons people still may have it.

Luckily there is much needed daily oral hygiene help. One of the things is making sure that you are taking enough time to brush and floss properly. You need to brush the back teeth, inside and out. You need to brush gently along the gum line, making sure to dislodge any debris. You need to make sure that you are flossing around the gum line, just as much as you do in between teeth.

To most people, brushing their teeth is a boring chore. If you brush your teeth for more than 30 seconds in the morning and at night, you might find yourself actually in the minority! In reality, dentists recommend a whole two minutes each time you brush your teeth. Without a doubt, having an electric toothbrush is a must. Most electric toothbrushes come with a two minute timer that will shut off after two minutes of brushing to let you know when you are done. Also, by using an electric toothbrush, you do not damage your gums by pressing the toothbrush hard against your teeth. By following this process, we can make a good decision based on ones needs and ability.

* Ask your dentist! There are some things that you are going to need to find out before you buy your electric toothbrush – such as: How healthy are my gums? What type of brush head is better for me? What features should my toothbrush come with?

* Figure out your price range. Some electric toothbrushes can be purchased for fairly cheap. Just remember the ancient saying that you get what you pay for. The same is true here. Generally, a good electric toothbrush for an adult might run anywhere from $80 – $150. If it is a kids electric toothbrush that you are looking for, you may find it for much cheaper.

* After you know the price range and in what state your gums are, you can make a decision on the brush head. For example, if your gums cannot support firm bristles, make sure you find brush heads with softer bristles.

* Check out Electric Toothbrush ratings. The general public has done the homework for you already, and can determine fairly well, which Electric Toothbrushes are more durable, and are more of a bang for your buck.

Having a healthy smile is the foundation of making good impressions, and lasting relationships. For more information when you buy your electric toothbrush, visit OralB.com to find out what factors to consider when choosing an electric toothbrush and what is the best electric toothbrush for you.

The Oral-B brand is a worldwide leader in the over $5 billion brushing market. Part of the Procter & Gamble Company since 2006, the Oral-B brand includes manual and power toothbrushes for children and adults, oral irrigators, oral care centers and interdental products, such as dental floss. Oral-B manual toothbrushes are used by more dentists than any other brand in the U.S. and worldwide.