You’ve probably heard the about the importance of brushing your teeth daily, to maintain good oral health. While you may be good at making sure you are brushing every day, it is still easy to fall into bad habits and not get the best results. It is essential to develop and stick to good brushing habits to preserve your oral health and the appearance of your smile! Here at your Yaletown dentist we’ve outlined the do’s and don’ts when it comes to proper brushing techniques.
What to do when brushing:
- Make sure you are using the right technique. It is important that when brushing your teeth, you tilt your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle and brush using a small back-and-forth motion and then sweep away from the gums. This is the gentlest, yet most effective, method to remove plaque from your teeth.
- Know how long to brush for. The correct amount of time that you should spend on brushing your teeth is two minutes. To help you get your full two minutes of brushing in, set a timer, or listen to a two-minute song. When brushing your teeth for the full two minutes, don’t think of it as a timed requirement, think of it as you are cleaning all the surfaces of your teeth!
- Brush twice a day. Aside from brushing for two minutes, be sure to brush your teeth morning and night. This should be an essential part of your morning and evening routine. Try to avoid eating after brushing your teeth, to reduce your risk of cavities.
- Replace your toothbrush often. It is recommended that you replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months, or sooner if it starts to show some wear. Over time, the bristles on your toothbrush will wear down, therefore, becoming less effective at removing plaque and bacteria. It is also a good idea to throw away your toothbrush after you’ve been sick, otherwise the germs from your illness may still be lurking in your toothbrush, and make you sick again.
What Not to do:
- Don’t over brush. When brushing, be sure to use a soft-bristled toothbrush and resist the urge to brush aggressively. Using a hard-bristled brush, or excessive force, can eventually cause your gums to recede, exposing the root and causing sensitivity.
- Don’t brush your teeth right after eating or drinking acidic foods. After eating, it might be tempting to run to the restroom and brush your teeth. It is recommended that you don’t! Wait at least 30 minutes after eating to brush your teeth if you have eaten or had something acidic to drink. If you brush your teeth right after you eat, acidic food can cause unwanted damage to your teeth’s enamel. Instead, rinse your mouth out with water, or chew sugar-free gum to increase saliva production, and wash away bacteria without damaging your teeth.
- Don’t ignore the rest of your mouth. When brushing your teeth, don’t ignore the rest of your mouth! In fact, 90% of bad breath is a result of a dirty tongue! That is why it is important when brushing your teeth that you also brush your tongue.
- Don’t put off going to visit your New Westminster dentist. You might be tempted to think that because you have developed good oral hygiene habits, you can put off going to visit your dentist. Wrong. No matter how well you brush your teeth every day, it is important that you go and visit your dentist every six months to keep your smile healthy. Professional cleaning and checkups provided by your dentist are the easiest, and most cost-effective way to avoid dental problems in the future.
Atlantis Dental Roundhouse has been providing a full range of dental services for New Westminster and Yaletown. Whether you are looking for cosmetic services, or a cleaning and checkup for your whole family, the team at Atlantis Dental Roundhouse is there to make your experience enjoyable! Call us today to schedule your next dentist appointment!