Patients of our general dentist office often ask questions about the type of toothbrush that they should use and how to properly brush their teeth. This is an important question to ask because if you brush your teeth, but do so incorrectly, you won’t get the best clean. In order to make your teeth brushing time count, follow these simple steps.
Start with the right toothbrush.
The type of toothbrush you use matters a great deal. Do not use a hard toothbrush because they are known to strip the enamel away from your teeth. Your enamel protects your teeth and prevents sensitivity. Once it is gone, you will need a dental treatment to seal your teeth. This is not a worthwhile risk so throw away your hard toothbrush and replace it with a soft one. Regardless of what type of toothbrush you have, replace it every three months. We will give you a new one when your teeth are cleaned at our general dentist office. After three months the bristles tend to fray or split, and the brush can get dirty. If it smells or looks funny, replace it right away because it may be full of bacteria.
The type of toothbrush you use matters a great deal. Do not use a hard toothbrush because they are known to strip the enamel away from your teeth. Your enamel protects your teeth and prevents sensitivity. Once it is gone, you will need a dental treatment to seal your teeth. This is not a worthwhile risk so throw away your hard toothbrush and replace it with a soft one. Regardless of what type of toothbrush you have, replace it every three months. We will give you a new one when your teeth are cleaned at our general dentist office. After three months the bristles tend to fray or split, and the brush can get dirty. If it smells or looks funny, replace it right away because it may be full of bacteria.
Use toothpaste.
While most people use toothpaste, few understand the difference between types and brands. Whitening toothpaste is the rage right now, but we recommend that you use one with fluoride instead. Fluoride is important because it can help to re-mineralize and strengthen your teeth which will in turn reduce your risk of getting cavities. By simply using it twice a day, you can help your teeth to stay healthy without any additional work.
While most people use toothpaste, few understand the difference between types and brands. Whitening toothpaste is the rage right now, but we recommend that you use one with fluoride instead. Fluoride is important because it can help to re-mineralize and strengthen your teeth which will in turn reduce your risk of getting cavities. By simply using it twice a day, you can help your teeth to stay healthy without any additional work.
Do it right.
You need to brush your teeth in a circular pattern in order to get the best possible clean without irritating your teeth. Many people go back to front, but this can just push the bacteria and plaque from your back teeth towards your front ones. It can also irritate your gums. By going in a circular pattern, you can move food and bacteria from your gum line towards the center of your mouth. This will promote better gum health overall. If you have an electric toothbrush, it will move automatically so that you have less work to do.
You need to brush your teeth in a circular pattern in order to get the best possible clean without irritating your teeth. Many people go back to front, but this can just push the bacteria and plaque from your back teeth towards your front ones. It can also irritate your gums. By going in a circular pattern, you can move food and bacteria from your gum line towards the center of your mouth. This will promote better gum health overall. If you have an electric toothbrush, it will move automatically so that you have less work to do.
Brush often.
Carry a travel toothbrush with you and use it after each meal. This way sugar can’t stay on your teeth and pose a cavity risk. If you don’t have time to brush, use an antiseptic mouthwash instead. At the very least make sure to brush your teeth every night before bed and when you wake up in the morning. Floss at the same time to get any food particles out of hard to reach spaces.
Carry a travel toothbrush with you and use it after each meal. This way sugar can’t stay on your teeth and pose a cavity risk. If you don’t have time to brush, use an antiseptic mouthwash instead. At the very least make sure to brush your teeth every night before bed and when you wake up in the morning. Floss at the same time to get any food particles out of hard to reach spaces.
As a general dentist, we can help you to stay in good oral health by cleaning your teeth twice a year. This way we can remove bacteria and plaque that didn't come off while brushing at home. Working together we can keep your teeth and gums healthy.
