Is it time to brush up on your brushing technique? How about flossing? Sometimes it’s easy to get a little lazy with our daily habits–oral health care included. So let’s review how to take care of our teeth.
We will talk about brushing first because it is done twice as much as flossing–2 times a day instead of one. It is important to note that it doesn’t matter if you brush first or floss first, so long as they both get done.
Brushing: Brushing your teeth is vital to your mouth health. As was mentioned before, you need to brush your teeth twice a day. This should be done for 2 minutes each time. This is a great time to listen to your favorite music! Or, you can take a minute of quiet to plan or reflect on the day. To properly brush your teeth, start with a brush with soft bristles. This prevents your gums and tooth enamel from getting damaged during the brushing process. Use short, tooth-wide strokes to brush every tooth–inside, outside, and chewing surfaces. Thoroughly rinse your mouth after brushing.
Flossing: Whether you choose to floss before or after you brush, it is important to have proper technique. Start with an ADA-approved single filament floss specifically designed for this purpose. Take a piece of floss about 18” long and wind it around one finger of each hand. Use a gentle sawing motion to slide the thread in between your teeth down to the gumline. Clear the food and plaque from between your teeth, using a new portion of thread for each tooth. This reduces cross-contamination in the mouth. If conventional flossing is difficult for you, speak with Dr. Suela Veizaj about alternative interdental cleaners.
Support your new-and-improved technique with regular biannual visits to your dentist. If you are in the Wyandotte, Michigan area, call Wyandotte Family Dental at 734-282-2019 to schedule an appointment today!