Consider this, you brush your teeth twice a day, but you’re not doing a great job. You floss, but it’s fast and half-hearted. Sometimes you rinse with an antiseptic mouthwash, other times you forget. In fact, you’ve been forgetting to brush twice a day, lately, but you definitely brush once! Many people take their teeth for granted until they begin having some sort of trouble with them. Don’t wait until you have trouble, because trouble can mean discomfort, expense, and tooth loss. Brush your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes, floss daily, and make sure to visit your dentist twice a year. In today’s blog, your Ankeny, IA dentist, Dr. Amanda Foust is going to share some tips regarding proper toothbrushing techniques.
No Shoulda-Coulda-Wouldas
There are things you should and shouldn’t do when it comes to caring for your teeth. For instance, you should make sure you are using the right toothbrush. Often we go to the store, grab a toothbrush, and throw it in the cart without hardly a look or a thought. Your toothbrush should be the right size for your mouth, and it should have a comfortable handle. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends using a soft-bristled toothbrush to avoid gingival irritation and/or enamel wear. Read on to find out what else you should do.
- You should brush two times a day for two minutes, although three times a day for three minutes is ideal.
- You should attend to all surfaces of all teeth, including the top (chewing areas), front (the part we see), and back (the side facing our tongue).
- You should hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle. Use short, circular strokes. Brush up and down, not across.
- You should brush gently. Hard vigorous brushing can damage tooth enamel and gingival tissue.
- You should brush your tongue.
- You should replace your tooth brush every three or four months, or sooner if it begins to look worn.
Things you shouldn’t do include:
- You shouldn’t begin brushing in the same place each time you brush. It’s easy to get into a habit, and the brushing habit is good. But starting in the same place every time means there are surfaces that are getting cheated every time you brush.If you brush your teeth in the same order each time, by the time you get to the last section of teeth, you are probably not brushing as thoroughly. Switch things up. Switching things up keeps your mind sharp too, but that’s another blog!
- You shouldn’t brush more than four times a day. Some people are super diligent with their oral care, but too much brushing can cause gingival irritation and/or root exposure. Once your roots are exposed they are vulnerable to bacterial infection.
About Dr. Amanda Foust
For more information regarding dental health, call Dental Impressions of Ankeny, IA to schedule an appointment with Dr. Foust at (515) 965-0230. Since 2006, Dr. Amanda J. Foust has proudly provided compassionate and quality care to families in Ankeny, Alleman, Elkhart, Bondurant, and all surrounding communities.
