While brushing your teeth every morning and evening is ideal, it is not enough to provide your mouth a thorough cleaning. It is through understanding and practicing correct brushing techniques, along with the right tools in the dental cabinet can cover all your bases when it comes to cleaning your teeth and gums. Here are some dental tips from dentists themselves to keep healthy, good looking teeth.
The Proper Brushing Technique
Quickly washing and scrubbing your teeth with wet bristles of your toothbrush is not enough to properly remove leftover food particles. It is recommended that you follow the technique approved by the American Dental Association.
Start by holding your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gums. Use short back and forth motion across the sides and the top of your teeth. Then, while you hold the brush in a vertical position, do several shorter strokes that focus on the back of your front anterior teeth. This is where most of the plaque builds up.
Brush Enough Times
Brushing regularly is not equal to brushing enough to keep teeth clean. It is recommended by the ADA to brush for at least two minutes, two times a day. For those having trouble in gauging the duration of brushing, try to listen to a song when you start. Average song duration is around 3 minutes which gives you time to prepare your toothbrush and leave at least two minutes to clean your teeth.
Toothbrush Maintenance
Your toothbrush is your primary tool in keeping your teeth clean and healthy. So, it is only right to ensure that this is properly maintained. First, by cleaning it properly.
Cleaning your toothbrush does not require special covers or equipment to keep them clean. As a matter of fact, covers help breed new bacteria onto the toothbrush. Properly rinse the brush after each use and let it air dry.
Next is changing your toothbrush. As you would notice, the bristles deteriorate overtime. It is ideal to replace your brush every 3 to 4 months which coincides with a semiannual dental checkup.
And of course, do not share your toothbrush with anyone else. Yes, even your kids or significant other.
Floss and Scrape
While the toothbrush is your primary tool, you also have other tools to ensure clean and healthy teeth. Flossing is very important. It is ideal for getting germs out from in between your teeth. When flossing, use about 18 inches in length to allow a fresh area of floss to cover different areas of the teeth. Forward and backward motion in a “C” shape angle is ideal.
Next is a tongue scraper. After brushing, some food particles and bacteria can remain on your tongue. A scraper can take care of that. Some toothbrushes already come with a scraper which is a rigid portion at the back of the brush. It is ideal to include this in your daily oral hygiene routine.
Avoid Snacking
Avoid that midnight snack right before going to bed. If you brush in the evening but eat something afterwards, you still sleep and have leftover food particles on your teeth for hours. This is fuel for bacteria to feed on for hours.
Visit your Dentist Regularly
And of course, an important factor in having healthy teeth is regular checkups with your dentist. They can help do a thorough clean for you and at the same time, check for any signs of trouble.
It is best to catch teeth problems early so they can be dealt with immediately. On top of that, they can help prevent further damage to your teeth. Visit your dentist regularly every 4 to 6 months for beautiful looking teeth whenever you smile.
We have the tools, equipment, expertise, and experience to handle your cosmetic dentistry needs. Complete our contact form or call us at (714) 542-2224 to schedule an appointment!