You should brush your teeth at least 2-3 minutes twice a day. Brush your teeth for the length of a song on the radio, the right amount of time to get the best results from brushing. Unfortunately, most Americans only brush for 45-70 seconds twice a day.

The American Dental Association advocates brushing twice each day. Although there is research indicating that brushing once a day is sufficient to disrupt the formation of plaque that feeds the bacteria that cause decay, this may not be enough for some people, depending on factors such as their diets and the efficacy of their brushing technique.

Brushing children's teeth at least twice a day is very important because it establishes good oral hygiene at an early age as well as helping to prevent cavities. This easy step by step method will have your child on the right track to a good oral health regime in no time.

First, rinse with warm water a couple of times to dislodge any food particles. You can also use a rubber-tipped gum massager to dislodge any particularly stubborn particles that are badly stuck in your brackets. Now you can use a small amount of toothpaste and brush your teeth. It is best to use circular, vibrating motions around the gum line. Angle your toothbrush above and below the brackets. Scrub each surface of every tooth with 10 strokes of the toothbrush.

Put a small pea-sized dab of fluoride toothpaste across the brush of a childs toothbrush. Apply the toothpaste across the width of the brush, instead of the length. Yes, but currently only 30% of Californians have it. Click here to see if you have it. The map is a general guide and does not include areas that receive fluoride naturally. Call the local water supplier for more specific information.

Bad breath is caused by bacteria in the mouth. Just brushing will not remove all the bacteria, so floss daily (to clean between the teeth), use a tongue cleaner to remove bacteria and food debris and rinse with an alcohol-free mouthwash that is clinically proven to help combat bad breath. If your gums are red, swollen or bleed when you brush or floss you may have gum disease, which can also cause bad breath. If the problem persists speak to your dentist or oral hygienist for expert advice.

From as early as five years old children should be encouraged to apply the 45O method, also known as the Bass Technique (see more under brushing). The GUM Kids Technique Toothbrush has been especially designed to help develop this good brushing technique. It has a non-slip quad-grip handle to help guide the child's hand to correctly position the toothbrush at a 45O angle, so that that the bristles clean under the gum line.

Ninety percent of dental problems start between the teeth, where brushing cannot reach. So in addition to brushing twice a day it is important to floss at least once a day. Flossing removes food debris and bacteria from between the teeth and under the gum line.

There is no bath or shower on the shuttle, so astronauts just wash off with wet washcloths, using soaps that you don't have to rinse off. When they brush their teeth, they can either swallow the toothpaste or spit it into a washcloth. Designing a toilet for zero-gravity is tougher. The astronauts use air flow to make the urine or feces go where they want, since gravity will not do it for them.

Brush lifespan is primarily related to the surface texture of the area swept. The smoother the surface finish, the longer the brush lasts. Maximize brush life on all surfaces by following adjustment and operating instructions conveniently located on top of the sweeper. Brush life is typically 400-600, or more, hours of sweeping time.

We recommend that parents brush their children's teeth for the first five to seven years of life, since young children lack the manual dexterity of proper tooth brushing. The toothbrush should be a child's size, with soft nylon rounded bristles. Toothpaste should not be used until the child is able to spit (three to four years of age) to avoid swallowing it. A pea-sized drop should be dispensed by the parent for young children. Flossing should be performed by the parent prior to brushing.

Bleeding gums is never a good sign! However, the condition may or may not require professional attention, depending on the source of the problem. Bleeding gums can be caused by improper, rough, ‘scrubbing’ instead of gentle, circular brushing motions; using a hard-bristled tooth brush instead of a soft one; plaque and/or tartar build-up below the gum line; or gum sensitivity due to gingivitis or periodontal disease.