When you visit our family dentist office, we can demonstrate how to properly clean your teeth. There are many misconceptions when it comes to teeth brushing, leading many people to do it wrong. Unfortunately, if you don’t brush properly your teeth won’t get as clean as they need to, and you can end up irritating your gums.
Here is the truth about teeth brushing and what you need to know:
- The two-minute myth. Most of us were told that you have to brush your teeth for two-minutes at a time, and if you do, they will get perfectly clean. While two-minutes is a good timeframe to shoot for, it’s more important to brush correctly than to brush for a certain period of time. You need to brush for as long as it takes for your teeth to feel perfectly clean.
- Hard is not best. Many people use a hard toothbrush because they think it will give the best clean. As a family dentist, we actually recommend that patients switch to a soft one. A hard toothbrush can strip the enamel off of your teeth, creating tooth sensitivity. They can also cause your gums to become irritated and even bleed. A soft toothbrush can give you as good of a clean but without the irritation or complications.
- Use a circular motion. When brushing your teeth, move your toothbrush in a circular pattern instead of brushing back to front. This will help you to remove more bacteria and plaque without irritating your gums.
- Buy a new one. This is extremely important. Don’t use your toothbrush for more than three months. If you do, the bristles will start to split, and you won’t be cleaning your teeth as well. Bacteria can also form on your toothbrush so by using the same one you could be putting germs on your teeth. We will give you a new toothbrush during your teeth cleanings as well.
- Pick the right toothpaste. Your toothpaste should be approved by the American Dental Association and contain fluoride. This way your paste will both clean and strengthen your teeth.
- Floss daily. Don’t forget to floss while you are brushing your teeth. Flossing is important for keeping your teeth and gums clean and healthy. Do so at least daily.
- Frequency matters. Brush your teeth a minimum of twice a day and after every meal if possible. This way sugar and bacteria cannot remain on your teeth for a prolonged period of time, and your risk of cavities will be reduced.
As a family dentist, we help our patients to stay in optimal oral health and one way to do so is by demonstrating how to brush and floss teeth. If you have any questions, we can answer them during your next teeth cleaning. We also recommend having your teeth cleaned twice a year so that we can remove the bacteria and plaque that you were unable to reach. By doing this frequently, we can reduce your risk of getting an infection.
