Brushing your teeth is one of the easiest and most effective things you can do to keep them healthy. It is an important part of your hygiene routine. It can be the difference between having a bright smile you can be proud of or ugly looking teeth you are reluctant to display.
Simply brushing teeth every so often is not enough. It is vital that you brush at least twice each day, with the right type of toothbrush, toothpaste and brushing technique.
Read on to learn how to properly brush your teeth.
Patients are often surprised to learn that they might have been brushing their teeth the wrong way their entire lives. The bristles of a toothbrush can damage enamel, especially if you have a habit of brushing too hard or using poor technique.
It almost feels natural to use a back and forth motion while brushing teeth, but the sawing motion wears off teeth enamel in the process. This can lead to your teeth aging prematurely.
When enamel is worn off, you may experience increased sensitivity to hot and cold food items.
If you brush too hard, you can damage your gums. When the gums recede, your teeth can become more sensitive or more susceptible to damage from bacteria.
Using a sawing motion is not an effective way to clean teeth either. It tends to miss the areas where teeth meet each other. These spaces are also one of the most vulnerable parts of a tooth when it comes to tooth decay. It is easier for plaque or food particles to become lodged around them.
Brushing your teeth the right way is very easy. Learning new brushing habits might feel awkward at first, but there is a hack for that. Using your non-dominant hand sometimes makes it easier to learn a new technique.
To start brushing correctly, put the toothbrush over a set of teeth and rotate the brush so that the bristles move up and down. Keep wiggling it as the bristles go up and down each tooth. This motion allows the bristles to make it into the areas around where teeth meet. It ensures plaque and food particles are properly removed while brushing.
Move over to the other set of teeth once finished with the first. Repeat the process until every tooth is clean.
Using improper brushing techniques might feel faster or more effective, but all it does in the long-run is damage teeth. Brushing with an improper technique also makes it possible for plaque to build up on teeth. An increase in plaque can lead to dental issues like gum disease and tooth decay.
Practice using the proper technique the next time you brush your teeth. You will notice a difference immediately.
Brushing only keeps your teeth clean. You still need to see a dentist twice a year for deep cleaning and to monitor overall health.
If you want to take better care of your mouth, then call us to see how we can help.
Request an appointment here: https://www.pattersondentaloffice.com or call Patterson Family Dental at (209) 585-1472 for an appointment in our Patterson office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: General Dentist in Patterson, CA.
Did your general dentist recommend root canal therapy? You may need a root canal, which is a technical dental procedure that is done to correct and restore oral health. In this article, we will take a look at what root canals are and why your dentist may have recommended one.A root canal may be necessary…
Daily oral hygiene is one of the most important things that a general dentist focuses on. Without a good oral hygiene routine, individuals are more likely to develop cavities or gum disease, both of which require treatments to solve. Having a good understanding of important daily oral hygiene can go a long way. Keep reading…
A general dentist would typically advise their patients to visit the dental office every six months for an examination. It allows the dentist to monitor the patient's oral health. Also, the exam helps them check whether previous oral issues are healing correctly and gives a chance to detect any new dangers to the oral cavity. This…
A dental cleaning is an essential part of general dentistry care for individuals of all ages, including toddlers. Many parents are under the impression that toddlers do not need a dental cleaning because their teeth will eventually fall out, but this is far from true.Dental cleanings should be undergone on a regular basis, no matter…
A bone graft before dental implants is an important aspect of the procedure that must be performed correctly to ensure successful implant placement and stability in the jawbone. However, before you consider going under the knife, it’s important to know what grafting does and why it’s necessary for your dental implants to work properly. Here…
Think you may need gum disease treatment? Read on to learn more about this condition. Gum disease treatment is necessary if infection-causing bacteria invade the oral cavity. Without prompt treatment, the bacteria will cause severe gum inflammation, which can lead to problems with the bones and tissues that support the teeth.Gingivitis is the first stage…