You’ve been doing it since you were five. You switch to auto pilot morning and night and go through it. But are you doing it right?
Actually, many men and women are making toothbrushing mistakes. You may need to tweak your routine to better maintain your oral health and protect your smile from cavities and gum disease.
Here are important toothbrushing tips:
1. Take your time.
It’s understandable. You want to get it over with and go to bed. Proper teeth cleaning takes time and careful attention. Time yourself the next time you brush—you might be surprised at how rapidly you finish. The process should take at least two to three minutes. It can also be useful to take a different route around your mouth every few days. By changing your pattern, you approach areas from a different, and possibly, better angle.
2. Don’t forget to floss.
No matter how agile you can be with your brush, it’s problematic to clear away the plaque from all those narrow gaps between your teeth. That is where bacteria can easily increase and start the decay process.
3. Use the right toothbrush.
It is ironic that some people damage their enamel or gums because they brush too hard with a hard brush. Dr. Blackwood counsels patients to only use a soft brush. If you’ve had gum grafts, you may want to use an extra soft brush.
4. Don’t keep your toothbrush near the toilet.
This is terrible to think about, but each time the toilet is flushed, bacteria is sent far into the air—even if you close the lid. Keep your toothbrush in a clean place and permit it to air dry.
5. Use fluoride toothpaste.
This may seem like a no-brainer but you may be surprised that some oral care products don’t contain fluoride. And you may think it’s only for kids. Not true. Your enamel is constantly under assault from acidic foods and drinks and fluoride helps it remineralize.
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