How to Properly Brush and Floss
Fountain Valley, CA
Your mouth has many essential responsibilities. It allows you to bite, chew, and speak. It helps you to express a wide array of different emotions. Taking good care of your mouth ensures that it can perform these functions properly. A major part of maintaining your oral health includes brushing and flossing. Bijan Family Dental Practice is here to help with tips on how to perform these habits properly.
The Importance of Brushing and Flossing
Brushing and flossing are two very important daily habits. During the course of the day, plaque and bacteria accumulate in your mouth. While they are natural, these substances can cause serious oral health issues if they are left to build up. Plaque and bacteria both produce harmful acids that can erode your protective tooth enamel, weakening it. This leads to tooth decay and cavities. Your gum tissue can also become irritated, which can lead to gum disease. Brushing and flossing are essential for eliminating the buildup of plaque and bacteria, which helps to protect the health of your mouth as well as your whole-body health.
The American Dental Association recommends that you brush your teeth at least twice a day. It is recommended that you use a soft-bristled toothbrush that feels comfortable in your hand and your mouth. You should be able to move the toothbrush easily in your mouth to access all areas. Angle your toothbrush toward your gums and move the toothbrush back and forth gently to remove buildup from the surfaces of your teeth. Make sure that you brush all surfaces of all of your teeth, including the chewing surfaces and their backs. Each time you brush, you should do so for two full minutes each time.
How to Floss
Flossing is recommended at least once a day. Take approximately 18-inches of floss and wind it around your middle fingers until there is about a one to two-inch space left between them. Gently work the floss back and forth between your teeth. Scrape the floss up and down the side of each tooth to remove plaque, bacteria, and other debris. Do this for each space, using a new section of floss for each area. Do not forget to floss behind your very back teeth as well. If you do not have the manual dexterity to use regular floss, you can also use floss picks to make the process easier.
Should I Brush or Floss First?
Many people wonder whether they should brush their teeth and then floss or floss first and then brush. The answer is that it is really up to you. If you floss first, it can help to loosen debris from between your teeth that you can then more easily brush away. If you brush first, flossing afterward can help to work fluoride from your toothpaste in between your teeth. The order in which you brush and floss your teeth is a personal choice, and you should do what works best for you.
What about Mouthwash?
Mouthwash can be a helpful part of your oral hygiene routine. It can do more than just provide you with fresher breath. Mouthwash can help to lessen the quantity and quality of plaque in your mouth as well as kill oral bacteria. It can also aid in removing loose particles from your mouth. It is recommended to use mouthwash after you have brushed and flossed your teeth.
It is not just brushing and flossing that is important. How you brush and floss is also essential. For more information about brushing and flossing, or to schedule an appointment, call Bijan Family Dental Practice at (714) 421-4494 today.