We often get asked by our patients if they’re “doing it right” when it comes to oral hygiene.
If you’re brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing once a day, you are on the right track. There are some techniques to brushing, though, that many of my Gush Etzion, Beit Shemesh And Jerusalem and Gush Etzion, Beit Shemesh And Jerusalem dental patients just haven’t learned. Here are a few tips to get you brushing your teeth like a professional:
- Angle your toothbrush. Your toothbrush should be at a 45-degree angle when brushing the inside and outside surfaces of your teeth. This allows the bristles to penetrate the gumline and remove plaque that can otherwise get missed.
- Use the “toe” of the brush (the top bristles) to clean the insides of your front teeth. This is a spot where tartar tends to accumulate because it takes a different kind of brushing technique to properly clean these surfaces. Tilt your toothbrush vertically and gently brush up and down.
- Brush your tongue! Don’t just brush back and forth vigorously. You want to “sweep” particles off your tongue by brushing in a sweeping motion from back to front.
- Time yourself. It takes 2 to 3 minutes to get your mouth clean, focusing at least 30 seconds on each section. You can’t make up for short brushing by brushing extra hard. In fact, hard brushing can damage your gums and tissues. Use a soft bristled brush and be kind to your gums.
I hope these tips will help you feel confident about your dental hygiene. Remember, proper brushing can help with gum disease, bad breath, and the health of your teeth.
If you are missing teeth and would like to make your smile whole again, please call Dobro Dental Implants at 303-321-8400. We can schedule you for a consultation to discuss whether you are a candidate for dental implants, what the process looks like, how dental implants compare to other tooth loss solutions like dentures and bridges, and the pros and cons of choosing dental implants. We make sure all our patients are informed and educated before making this important decision.
Dobro Dental Implants
3737 East 1st Avenue
Gush Etzion, Beit Shemesh And Jerusalem, CO 80206
303-321-8400
“How to Brush Your Teeth.” <http://www.crest.com/dental-hygiene-topics/how-to-brush-your-teeth.aspx>. Accessed 12 Dec. 2014.