Brush Up on the Benefits of Brushing

Brushing and flossing your teeth every day is something that you’ve been told to do since you were a small child. Due to this, you may be wondering why you need to learn all about brushing your teeth. For many people, brushing and flossing are such a routine task that they fail to utilize proper techniques or give it a second thought. That’s why it’s important to brush up on proper brushing technique every now and then. All it takes is a few minutes every day to keep your oral health in top-notch shape. If you use the following tips from family dentists, your smile will remain bright and healthy for years to come.

Why Brushing Your Teeth Is So Important

It’s important to ensure that you brush your teeth twice every day. It keeps your breath smelling nice and it keeps stains from setting into the teeth. Properly caring for your teeth at home also assists in the prevention of gum disease. Gum disease not only affects your teeth and gums, but it can also lead to early tooth loss, heart disease, stroke, pneumonia and diabetes. While seeing a dentist on a regular basis is important, another important way to prevent these issues is to brush your teeth regularly while utilizing proper technique.

The Dangers of Plaque

Plaque is a sticky material that forms on the surface of the teeth whenever you eat and drink. This substance combines with the sugars and starches that are present within food. Plaque contains bacteria that when combined with sugars and starches begin to attack the enamel of the teeth. This is what leads to tooth decay. Plaque can also cause your gums to become irritated and inflamed.

The early stages of gum disease feature symptoms such as red, swollen, tender and bleeding gums. In this stage it is known as gingivitis. If you fail to have gingivitis treated in a timely manner, the disease will form into a serious version of gum disease known as periodontitis. This can cause your gums to pull away from your teeth, creating pockets that contain pus and bacteria. The disease will eventually destroy your teeth by attacking the bone structure of your mouth. When this happens, your teeth will loosen and may possibly have to be pulled out.

Keep Your Teeth Healthy with Proper Brushing Techniques

Failing to brush the teeth and gums properly can lead to serious issues with tooth decay and gum disease. Dental health care professionals see the consequences of poor brushing techniques every day. You need to be sure that you are brushing your teeth regularly. You also need to be sure that you are doing it correctly.

The American Dental Association (ADA) suggests the following techniques to utilize when you are brushing so that you can keep your mouth happy and healthy:

• You should brush your teeth at least twice a day for at least two minutes each time. If at all possible, you should also brush your teeth after each meal. This reduces the levels of bacteria in the mouth and prevents the formation of the acid that leads to tooth decay.
• Make sure that you reach all of your teeth while brushing. This includes teeth located in hard-to-reach places. It also includes teeth that feel sensitive. If you are experiencing pain while brushing your teeth, see an affordable dentist in Hudson Valley.
• Choose a proper toothbrush. Most dentists recommend that you brush with a soft-bristled toothbrush that fits comfortably inside of your mouth. The brush should be firm enough to assist in removing built up plaque. It should also be soft enough to prevent damaging the teeth and gums. Electric or battery-operated toothbrushes are highly recommended. Recent studies have shown that they can remove plaque and gingivitis better than manual toothbrushes.
• Use the right toothpaste. There are a lot of choices available. Make sure that whichever one you choose has been approved by the ADA.
• Perfect your technique. Divide the inside of your mouth into quadrants and brush each quadrant for a minimum of 30 seconds. Be sure to get the inside, outside and bottom of the teeth in each quadrant. You should be holding your toothbrush at a slight angle. Use gentle back-and-forth motions to brush the teeth. Remember to brush your tongue as well.
• Use a gentle circular motion to brush your teeth. This helps to ensure that you don’t wear down your teeth and gums.
• Timing is the most important thing. Most dentists suggest that you brush your teeth for at least two minutes. This allows for you to remove food particles and bacteria from your entire mouth.
• Clean your toothbrush. You should rinse your toothbrush out with water after you brush. Store your toothbrush in an upright position. You should allow for your toothbrush to air-dry whenever possible. Don’t store your toothbrush in a closed container. This leads to bacteria growing on the toothbrush.
• Replace your toothbrush every three months. If your bristles become worn down before then, replace the brush then.
• You should floss every single day. This allows for you to remove plaque and food particles from areas where your toothbrush can’t reach.
• Rinse your mouth with mouthwash after brushing and flossing. This further rids the mouth of bacteria and food particles.
• Don’t worry too much about the order of things. You can brush before flossing, or you can floss before brushing. The important thing is that you do it.
• See your dentist every six months. This allows for your dentist to get to know you and your full dental health history.

Keep Your Teeth and Gums Healthy

No matter how long you’ve been brushing your teeth, it’s always good to refresh yourself on proper technique. Properly brushing your teeth ensures that your teeth and mouth stay as healthy as possible. A healthy mouth means less of a chance that you’ll need to see a dentist for costly or invasive procedures. Avoiding problems with your oral health will also help you avoid preventable diseases. Be sure to give us a call if you have further questions.