If you are looking to step up your oral hygiene game, here are four teeth-cleaning tips you should know.
Brush Gently
Using elbow grease might work for scrubbing away countertop stains, but the same principle doesn’t apply to your teeth. Brushing with too much force and pressure will ultimately do more harm than good because it will wear down the protective coating (tooth enamel) of your pearly whites.
Fight the urge to bear down by committing to brushing with gentle, circular motions. Your tooth enamel will thank you.
Clean More Than Your Teeth
While your teeth definitely need attention from your toothbrush, be careful not to neglect other tissue. Your gums, the linings of your lips and cheeks, and your tongue can benefit from making contact with the bristles of your toothbrush. Brushing soft oral tissue helps control harmful bacteria that populate on its surfaces.
Brush for About Two Minutes
Thorough brushing should take about two minutes. This is because you need to brush all visible areas of your teeth as well as soft oral tissue. If you need help ensuring that you spend enough time brushing, consider using a timer on your smartphone or hanging a clock in your bathroom. Or you can purchase an electric toothbrush that has a built-in timer.
Floss Every Evening
No good oral hygiene routine is complete without evening flossing. Foregoing flossing puts your teeth and your gums at risk. Leftover plaque hardens into tartar within a few days. Tartar, unlike plaque, cannot be removed with brushing and flossing. Preventing the buildup of tartar could help prevent the development of serious oral health conditions.
In addition to practicing proper oral hygiene, the American Dental Association recommends having two cleanings and checkups every year. Call Aesthetic Dental Partners to schedule your next appointment with our dentist.
