When you brush your teeth, your toothbrush only reaches two thirds of the surfaces of your teeth. Flossing is needed to reach the remainder of tooth surfaces to remove what your toothbrush missed. But you can make mistakes when you brush your teeth that can result in the need for dental repair; your dentist can teach you the best way to brush as well as advise the correct tools to use to achieve optimum dental health.
Toothbrush – Manual vs. Electric
Your dentist may recommend using an electric toothbrush. The rapid action allows thorough teeth cleaning; you just need to guide it to cover all tooth surfaces. Most have a built in timer that signals when you’ve brushed the recommended two minutes.
A hard bristle toothbrush and too much pressure can lead to worn dental enamel and gum recession. Many patients make the mistake of thinking they must scrub teeth to keep plaque from building on teeth. A soft bristle toothbrush, fluoridated toothpaste, and even pressure is sufficient as long as you brush correctly at least twice every day.
Caring for your Toothbrush
Every time you brush, you should stand your toothbrush up in an open air container allowing your brush to air out. Also, if you store your toothbrush in the same container as someone else, keep brush heads from touching.
Consider where you keep your toothbrush – most people brush in the bathroom so try to locate as far away from the toilet as possible to prevent contamination from airborne water particles.
Change your toothbrush every three months or sooner if it shows wear. If you should become ill, consider a new toothbrush to protect your health.
Brushing Technique
A sawing motion is incorrect. Small circular motions cleaning the front, back, and top surfaces a few teeth at a time is best. Make sure you brush a minimum two minutes at least twice a day. If you want to brush following meals, it is best to wait at least sixty minutes. Certain foods like citrus or soda can soften dental enamel; brushing too soon can damage teeth.
Taking care of your oral health will also help to protect your overall health. Obtain the correct tools, brush twice a day with a fluoridated toothpaste using the correct technique; floss as directed; and call our team at Aesthetic Dental Partners every six months to schedule a cleaning and exam.
