You’ve been doing it since you were five. You switch to autopilot morning and night and get it over with. But are you doing it correctly?
Actually, many individuals are making tooth brushing mistakes. You may need to tweak your routine to better sustain your oral health and shield your smile from tooth decay and gum disease.
Here are vital tooth brushing tips:
1. Take your time.
It’s understandable. You want to get it over with and go to bed. Proper teeth cleaning takes time and careful attention. Time yourself the next time you brush—you might be surprised at how swiftly you finish. The process should take at least two to three minutes. It can also be helpful to take a different route around your mouth every few days. By adjusting your routine, you approach areas from a different, and possibly, better angle.
2. Don’t forget to floss.
No matter how agile you can be with your brush, it’s challenging to get rid of the plaque from all those narrow gaps between your teeth. That is where bacteria can easily multiply and start the decay process.
3. Use the right toothbrush.
It is ironic that some people damage their enamel or gums because they brush too vigorously with an inflexible brush. Dr. Longenecker guides patients to only use a soft brush. If you’ve had gum grafts, you may want to use an extra soft brush.
4. Don’t keep your toothbrush near the toilet.
This is terrible to think about, but each time the toilet is flushed, bacteria is sent far into the air—even if you close the lid. Keep your toothbrush in a clean place and permit it to air dry.
5. Use fluoride toothpaste.
This may seem like a no-brainer but you may be surprised that some oral care products don’t contain fluoride. And you may think it’s only for children. Not true. Your enamel is continuously under assault from acidic foods and drinks and fluoride helps it remineralize.
Contact Hereford Dental Health – Craig Longenecker DDS:
410-357-0099
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
16928 York Rd
Monkton, Maryland
21111
