You’ve been doing it since you were five. You switch to auto pilot and get it done. But at St. Mary’s Dental in Mechanicsville, we as in all seriousness, are you brushing your teeth correctly?
Actually, many people are making tooth brushing mistakes. You may need to tweak your routine to better protect your teeth and gums.
Here are essential tooth brushing tips:
1. Take your time.
It’s understandable. You want to get it over with and go to bed. Proper teeth cleaning takes time and careful attention. Time yourself the next time you brush—you might be surprised at how swiftly you finish. The process should take at least two to three minutes. It can also be useful to take a different route around your mouth every few days. By altering your process, you approach areas from a different, and possibly, better angle.
2. Don’t forget to floss.
No matter how agile you can be with your brush, it’s difficult to remove the plaque from all those narrow gaps between your teeth. That is where bacteria can easily propagate and start the decay process.
3. Use the right toothbrush.
It is ironic that some people impair their enamel or gums because they brush too hard with a stiff brush. doctor McCray guides patients to only use a soft brush. If you’ve had gum grafts, you may want to use an extra soft brush.
4. Don’t keep your tooth brush near the toilet.
This is awful to think about, but each time the toilet is flushed, bacteria is sent into the air—even if you close the lid. Keep your toothbrush in a clean place and allow it to air dry.
5. Use fluoride toothpaste.
This may seem like a no-brainer but you may be surprised: some oral care products don’t contain fluoride. You may also think fluoride is only for kids. Not true. Your tooth enamel is constantly under assault from acidic foods and drinks, and fluoride helps it remineralize.
At St. Mary’s Dental in Mechanicsville, we want the best possible dental health for all our patients. Brush and floss twice a day, and see us for regular checkups. We offer general and family dentistry, and restorative dentistry. Call for an appointment today!
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