How to Brush and How to Floss

• June 15, 2018
• Tony

How to Brush and How to Floss

Brushing teeth regularly helps clear bacteria carriers that cause tooth cavities and gum diseases. It also helps in clearing bad breathe among other benefits. None the less, brushing alone does not entirely reach to all the surfaces of the teeth especially surfaces that are located in between teeth. Flossing, on the other hand, removes food debris and plaque stuck in between teeth where your toothbrush cannot reach. If plaque is not eradicated, it eventually leads to dental cavities and gum diseases which if not treated causes tooth loss. The oral hygiene habit should be taught to kids immediately they start growing a tooth. Instilling oral hygiene habits to the young ones prevents the occurrence of dental problems in the future. 

How To Brush

Dentists recommend that you brush teeth at least twice a day after meals or after consumption of every meal. The size of the toothbrush also matters as the right size reaches all areas of the mouth easily without causing harm or struggle. Also, it is important to change your toothbrush after every three to four months as the toothbrush bristles tend to wear off which reduces the effectiveness of the cleaning process. The toothbrush bristles should not be too firm and hard so as to prevent harming the gums while brushing. 

Proper Brushing Technique

Many people do not last even a minute when brushing teeth which limit the effectiveness of the routine process. A person should take at least two minutes when brushing teeth giving time for the fluoride to work on the teeth and the brush to reach all places. One should concentrate on thoroughly cleaning both the upper and lower teeth while paying extra attention to the gum line. While cleaning the teeth reach for the backside of the teeth going all the way to the hind teeth. Be sure to brush your tongue too since it also holds toxins, bacteria, and food debris. If you feel the bristles are too hard on your tongue, you could invest in a tongue scraper to help you with the cleaning of the tongue. It is essential that the whole mouth becomes clean.

You are required to put a peanut size amount of toothpaste on your toothbrush or just enough to do the job. Then tilt the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums and across the teeth to wipe out any food debris. Keep moving the strokes up and down the teeth until you can feel the teeth smoothening. Proceed to the tongue than rinse with clean water.

How Important Is The Toothpaste One Uses?

Modern dentistry has paved way for the development of diverse tubes of toothpaste that serve various purposes for different conditions. It is essential that you use a toothpaste that is right for your teeth. Your dentist will guide you on which toothpaste is right for you. For example, some people have too sensitive teeth hence cannot use too concentrated kinds of toothpaste while others have stained teeth and, may require a toothpaste with a high concentration of fluoride and other whitening chemicals. Visit the Vita Dental Spring clinic to consult with a dentist about the best toothpaste and toothbrush suited for you and your family. Vita Dental Spring clinic is a family dedicated clinic that strives to ensure that all patients receive the best consultation services, treatment, and check-up services there is to offer in Spring. 

How To Floss

Dentists recommend that one should floss at least once a day to eradicate any food debris stuck in between teeth that the toothbrush bristles fail to reach. There are various types of dental floss. Some come in flavours, unflavored, unwaxed, waxed, and regular. Generally, they all give the same end results.

Flossing Technique

An average length of eighteen inches of floss will work perfectly for you. You will round the edges around each middle finger, leaving about two inches of floss to dig into the teeth. To have a good grip, you will hold the dental floss with the thumb and index finger and then move the floss up and down between teeth. To ensure that you have the floss working effectively, gently move the floss around the base of each tooth beneath the gum line. Be sure not to force the floss as it may cut into the gums leaving the gums vulnerable to infections and attack by bacteria. Also, it is important that you use a clean part of the floss for each section you move from tooth to tooth. When done with a section of a tooth, move the floss back and forth all the way up to remove the floss. All done delicately and gently to protect the gums.

Combining both brushing and flossing regularly keeps your teeth clean preventing dental problems that can go as far as tooth loss. The practice seems simple but go a long way in protecting the teeth and general health care of a person.