You know you’re supposed to brush every day, twice a day, to maintain a healthy smile – but what if your technique is amiss during your oral hygiene routine at home? What are the best tips you can use to bolster your regimen and make sure your teeth stay radiant? In this post, the team at Strohman Dental, your dentist in Wichita Falls, provides the helpful hints you need to make sure your grin stays in tip top shape.
#1 – Brush Correctly
Sounds easy enough, right? As your trusted family dentist in Wichita Falls, Dr. Shelly Strohman helps patients brush up on their brushing skills:
- Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle when placing it against your teeth and gums.
- Use short, gentle, side-to-side motions when brushing.
- Be sure to brush for two minutes – use a timer or play a song on your phone to make the time fly by.
- Don’t brush too hard – this can cause your gums to recede.
- Watch this brushing tutorial video to see for yourself the best way to brush.
#2 – Floss
We can’t stress enough how important flossing is, especially since brushing alone only covers a little over half of the surface of your teeth. Here are the flossing hints you need:
- Don’t snap the floss between your teeth – go slowly to prevent injury and trauma to your gums.
- Floss in a C-shape, gently sliding the floss on both sides of the teeth, and get under the gum line, too.
- Be sure to floss at least once a day, although twice is better – if you floss only once, do it at night, since it’s most helpful in keeping bacteria away while you sleep.
- When you brush, don’t spit out all of your toothpaste – rather, reserve a little bit in your mouth. When you floss, it will help the toothpaste get in the crevices in between teeth to prevent cavities.
- Watch this handy flossing tutorial video to check your flossing approach.
#3 – Start Brushing Early Enough
Since dental problems can occur in the mouth as soon as teeth erupt, parents should brush for little ones with a pea-sized amount of toothpaste one dentitions come in. And, kids should have their first dental visit no later than their first birthday, to make sure oral development is happening correctly and to prevent cavities.
#4 – Use The Right Tool For The Job
Many people brush too hard, so consider switching to an electric toothbrush to take the work out of brushing. And, if flossing is painful, consider switching to a satin-style dental tape, which will glide easily between teeth and keep your gums safe. And, regardless of which brand you use, always stick to a fluoride toothpaste, since this natural mineral strengthens enamel.
#5 – Remember Why Your Oral Health Matters
May people may skimp on brushing and flossing, but this leaves smiles vulnerable to the following issues:
- Cavities
- Gum disease
- Oral infections
- Root decay
- Broken or chipped teeth
- Bad breath
- Tooth loss
Remember – it’s up to you to take good care of your teeth to prevent these problems in between visits.
Now that you know the most valuable brushing and flossing tips, schedule your appointment with Strohman Dental to get a professional cleaning and keep your pearly whites shining bright!