At Ellettsville Dental Center, we know many people depend on their dental visits to keep their teeth healthy, while others assume that brushing their teeth a few times a week is good enough. Having a passive attitude about the health of your mouth only hurts you and your bank account. Instead of taking this passive approach, try taking control of your mouth’s health by having a more proactive approach to its maintenance.
Learn About Brushing Techniques at Ellettsville Dental Center
Brushing your teeth involves more than just dragging your brush across the surfaces of your teeth twice a day. While brushing for two minutes, twice a day is the ideal, how you do it matters; a lot, actually. First, let’s talk about the toothbrush itself. Toothbrushes should be replaced every 3-4 months. If you brush your teeth hard, the bristles will splay out to the sides and won’t be very useful. Brushing your teeth vigorously can also cause damage to your gums and your teeth. It also doesn’t matter if you use a manual toothbrush or a powered brush. Both are capable of effectively removing plaque when used correctly.
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to brush your teeth with a small amount of toothpaste applied to the bristles. Position the brush at a 45-degree angle to the gum lines and brush the teeth in a gentle circular motion. Methodically work through the mouth, making sure you hit every area. The ideal number for making sure teeth are cleaned thoroughly of germs and left-over debris is at least ten strokes in each spot. It may take more time and focus on your molars in the back to make sure they are thoroughly cleaned.
Frequent Flossing Is Key To Protect Your Oral Health
You mustn’t skip flossing every day. While it is just as important as brushing, it doesn’t have to be done more than once a day. It helps reduce gum inflammation and irritation by removing the particles of food and bacteria from between your teeth. Since your brush can’t reach these areas, flossing is the only way to get them clean.
The best technique for flossing is to make sure you go all the way down between the teeth, rubbing both sides of the teeth as you go up and down. The type of floss doesn’t matter; just make sure it doesn’t break too easily and is comfortable to use. Whether you floss before or after brushing, just make sure you do it every day. If you want to learn more about ways to protect your oral health, call Ellettsville Dental Center today to schedule your dental cleaning with us.