The Ultimate Brushing & Flossing Secret

Teeth are meant to last a lifetime if you take good care of them. Good oral hygiene can prevent tooth decay, periodontal disease, and enamel erosion. Brushing twice a day and flossing daily can ensure that your oral hygiene is in top shape. But, there are other things to consider when brushing your teeth and flossing. Certain techniques are suggested to ensure your teeth stay healthy.

Brushing Techniques and Suggestions

Brushing is important because it removes the surface plaque off of your teeth. Plaque is a layer that forms over your teeth throughout the day from eating and drinking. If this is not removed, it can lead to the formation of tartar, which is a hardened form of plaque that can be damaging to teeth. Tartar is most likely to form overnight, which is why it’s incredibly important to not only brush in the morning, but before you go to bed as well. Consider the following in regards to brushing your teeth:

• Brush twice a day.
• Brush your teeth for a minimum of two minutes.
• Use a soft bristled brush with a small head. This allows for you to get into those hard to reach spaces.
• Replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months. Or sooner if you notice the bristles wearing or if you’ve been sick.
• Use ADA (American Dental Association) approved fluoride toothpaste.
• Rotate your toothbrush to a 45 degree angle against the gums to allow for better cleaning.
• Gently brush your tongue to remove bacteria.

Flossing Techniques and Suggestions

Statistics show that only 50% of Americans floss daily. It is a tedious task, but it is worth it and can greatly improve dental health. Studies have shown that flossing before brushing versus after, conclude the same results. It’s not a matter of when you floss, but rather that you do floss. There is no single best flossing tool, you can use regular floss, a water flosser, a pre-threaded flosser, or a pick, they all get the job done. It’s important to consider the following when flossing:

• Use about 18 inches of ADA approved floss.
• Keep between 1-2 inches of floss between fingers.
• Do not snap floss in and out of teeth.
• Gently guide floss in using a back and forth motion.
• When in-between teeth, create a “C” shape with floss to contour around teeth, then guide floss up and down.
• Use new sections of the floss as you continue along.
• Never reuse old floss because old bacteria can be transferred back to teeth.

Flossing should be done daily in order to get the best results. It removes plaque build-up in and around gums that a toothbrush cannot reach. Doing this alongside brushing your teeth is the best combination for oral hygiene. Brushing your teeth and flossing are not the only essential things to keep your mouth completely hygienic, it is recommended that you see the dentist every six months to get a professional cleaning. If you haven’t been to the dentist to have your teeth cleaned in a while, call us here today and we’ll be happy to set up an appointment for you.