The title of this post from Cary Family Dental is, as you can see, “How To Brush Your Teeth.”
Seriously? Brushing your teeth? It’s something we’ve all done without any help since we were four years old, thank you very much.
Fair enough. But we believe there is always room for improvement, even in something as basic as this.
Brushing your teeth, after all, is an important part of any dental health care routine. We recommend brushing twice a day, and with a soft-bristled toothbrush. We strongly recommend flossing, too. Before or after you brush? The jury remains out on that one. We think before is better, but the most important thing is that you do it.
Be sure to get all over your teeth: the front and the sides, inside and out, and the tops. When you to the sides, be sure you brush along the gumline. Use a gentle touch, and hold the brush at a 45-degree angle.
As you do the front and side surfaces, move the brush in gentle, circular strokes.
Use a pea-sized blob of fluoridated toothpaste – or more than pea-sized, if you’re so inclined. Too much toothpaste is no big deal, but be sure to use enough.
Be sure the head of the toothbrush isn’t too big, especially if you have a smaller mouth. It needs to fit easily inside your mouth, and along the sides. The handle is less important. Make sure it feels comfortable in your hand. Replace your toothbrush every three months, if not more often.
We mentioned using a gentle touch. Plaque is soft and loose, so you don’t have to scrub really hard to remove it. Think of it not so much as brushing, but massaging your teeth. Keeping that in mind should help you keep that light touch.
Finally, brush for at least two minutes. If you’re running late, and are tempted to cut it short, resist. If it helps, use a stopwatch. You’ve probably got one on your smart phone.
At Cary Family Dental, we want the best possible dental health for all of our patients. We offer general and family dentistry, and a wide range of cosmetic dentistry services. Schedule your next checkup with us today.
Contact Cary Family Dental:
919-371-4428
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
1149 Kildaire Farm Rd
Cary, North Carolina
27511915 Kildaire Farm Rd
Cary, North Carolina
27511
