We’ve all done it a time or two or more. With lightening speed, we push the brush back and forth a few times across our teeth and once that minty taste appears, we rinse and head for the door. It may be hard to admit, but some of us have even dragged our toothbrushes into the shower in an attempt to multitask our daily cleaning ritual. There is an old saying, ‘you get what you pay for,’ and it couldn’t be any truer in the case of oral hygiene. You will definitely be left holding the dental bill if you shortchange yourself on caring for your teeth. Your family dentist in Goode, Dr. Hendricksen, wants to partner with you so that proper oral care is something you will be smiling about for years to come.
5 Tips To Bolster Your Brushing Habits
When you think about it, the majority of your oral health is all on you. Knowing what works best and adopting the proper routine can make all the difference in the health and brightness of your smile. The following are a list of things you may be doing wrong and what you can do to change it:
- You’re Not Flossing — This is a pretty big mistake even if you do manage to brush your teeth twice a day. Evidence shows that the combination of brushing and flossing can lower your risk of gum disease, a condition in which they become, irritated, red and swollen.
- You’re Using the Wrong Toothbrush — It may seem counter-intuitive, but giving your teeth a good scrub with a hard bristled toothbrush can actually harm the enamel and gums. It can even lead to gum recession, which can cause uncomfortable sensitivity. A soft toothbrush will do the job and help to keep the wear and tear of brushing down to a minimum.
- Wrong Brushing Technique — Soft or hard toothbrush aside, the proper technique can make all the difference. Keep the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle while brushing and alternate back and forth between straight and rolling strokes.
- Fluoride — People are more attracted to choosing toothpaste and mouthwash that offers whitening, but you should really be looking for ones that have fluoride. Fluoride strengthens the tooth enamel, which can help prevent against cavities.
- You’re Brushing at the Wrong Times — It is not as simple as brushing morning or night or directly after meals. Research suggests that brushing too soon after a meal, especially an acidic one, actually pushes the acid from your meal into your teeth. It is recommended to wait about 30 minutes after eating before brushing.
Five Steps to Flawless Flossing
If you’re going to do it, you might as well do it right. Proper flossing removes plaque build-up and the food particles that get stuck between the teeth — places your toothbrush may not be able to reach. The following is a guide to help you make the most of this daily routine:
- Break off about 18 inches of floss and wrap most of it around one of your middle fingers, while winding the remaining floss on the finger of the opposite hand. This finger will take up the floss as it becomes dirty.
- Pinch the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers
- Guide the floss between your teeth using a gentle rubbing motion. Be careful not to snap the floss into the gums, as this may cause bleeding.
- As the floss reaches the gum lime, curve it into a C shape against one tooth. Gently slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth.
- Hold the floss tightly against the tooth. Gently rub the side of the tooth, moving the floss away from the gum with up and down motions. Repeat this on the rest of your teeth. Don’t leave out doing the backside of your last tooth.
That’s it! Now throw that used up floss away because it could have bacteria left behind on it, and it will also be less effective than a new piece.
Questions?
Are you wondering if there is a dentist near me that offers guidance in proper brushing and flossing? Are your teeth sensitive or do they bleed during your normal oral routines? If any of these apply to you, please contact our office right away so we can work together to get your smile healthy and bright.