The Proper Way to Brush and Floss.
Are You Taking Proper Care of Your Mouth?
Everyone wants a smile to be proud of, but if you are not brushing and flossing properly, you will notice that your smile is just not as nice as it could be. At our Coral Springs dental office, Dr. Barbag and his team believe that giving you the education that you need in order to have a clean mouth goes a long way to your overall health. Preventing oral disease is the first step in reducing dental problems. Here, we can provide our patients with fluoride treatment, exams and cleanings, oral hygiene aids and we will also teach you how to brush and floss properly.
Our Coral Springs Dental Office Staff Can Teach You Proper Techniques.
There are several common things that you can be doing every day that you probably don’t know about. First off, you must brush your teeth for at least two minutes in order for it to be done properly. Some dentists will also suggest that three minutes is even better. Set your timer the next time that you brush your teeth, how long is the typical time? Then, set your clock for two minutes to see the difference. Taking the time to focus on each tooth will help to ensure that you will maintain proper regiments and you will also start to notice that your teeth and gums are healthier. By brushing for the suggested time, you will be removing harmful bacteria and plaque. Bacteria left on your teeth will cause dental issues such as gingivitis or cavities. One thing that some people consider as a good way to brush, is by using a lot of toothpaste. This is not true. Only a small amount is needed in order to be effective. The best way to brush properly is with up and down strokes, averaging about 10 to 15 seconds in each area. When brushing the back teeth, brush with an in and out motion starting in the back and working your way forward. When your teeth have all been cleaned, you can also gently brush your tongue.
Why should brush your tongue? Your tongue holds a lot of bacteria, brushing it is just as important as brushing your teeth. Bacteria will hide in the crevices of your tongue and can affect your taste buds. If your mouth is overall healthy, but you notice that you frequently have bad breath, it could be bacteria build up on your tongue. Unfortunately, brushing your teeth and rinsing with mouthwash, won’t necessarily be effective. Adding this step to your daily oral health regimen it will improve your breath and reduce the risk of cavities. Brushing your tongue is easy, simply use a little dab of toothpaste, start from the back and gently brush it going forward. You can also purchase a toothbrush with a built-in scraper or purchase a tongue scraper on its own. Keep in mind to do this each and every time that you brush and floss.
Get Advice from the Best Coral Springs Dental Team.
Now onto flossing. Many people skip this procedure thinking it is not important. Most people keep floss on hand but only use it when they notice food stuck in-between their teeth. Flossing daily is indeed a very important step to ensuring that your teeth remain healthy. When you floss, you are removing plaque and food that brushing alone doesn’t get rid of. So what is the best technique to proper flossing? This is a great question for our Coral Springs dental hygienist to answer. It is recommended that you use about 18 inches of nylon or PTFE floss, wrap the floss around your middle finger, remembering to leave an inch or so for working with. Gently slide the floss in-between each tooth taking care not to use a lot of force. Being rough will cause your gums to bleed. Moving from clean piece to clean piece, go from tooth to tooth making sure that you go beneath the gum line.
Is Your Toothbrush Clean?
Where is the best place for your toothbrush to be kept in the bathroom? Many people don’t consider the germs that float around in their bathroom and will leave their toothbrush on the counter or in a cup near the toilet. If you think about the bacteria that is in your bathroom, you will want to consider taking precautions as to where you leave your toothbrush. Also, do you keep your brushes together with other members of the family? What happens if they are sick? Their germs will spread from their brush to yours. So how can you ensure that your toothbrush is clean and healthy? First of all, make sure to keep the lid of your toilet down to reduce airborne germs. Clean your brush with hydrogen peroxide or antibacterial mouthwash. Also, it is advised that you get a new toothbrush every three or so months, sooner if the bristles are frayed. Don’t keep your brush in an airtight container. This will only lead to mold growth. It is best to keep your toothbrush in the medicine cabinet but make sure that it is getting dry between brushes, also don’t let other brush bristles touch yours.
Call Our Coral Springs Dental Office for Your Next Appointment.
Now that you have the basic info on the proper way to brush, floss, and clean your tongue, you can look forward to having a healthier mouth and reducing bad breath. If you have any questions about keeping up with good oral health procedures and techniques, ask us! We will be happy to help. Don’t forget to make your bi-yearly appointments with our Coral Springs dentist and our awesome office staff.
