Your toothbrushing ritual is probably such a mundane part of your day that you barely think about it.
Your toothbrushing ritual is probably such a mundane part of your day that you barely think about it. This means that you might be slacking on the procedure without even knowing it. Of course, improper brushing can lead to surprising, painful tooth decay. We’re going to present the most common brushing mistakes and tell you what to do instead to ensure that doesn’t happen.
Bristles Must Bend
When choosing a toothbrush from your local drugstore, whether it is manual or electric, no matter how much money it costs, the #1 feature that it needs is soft bristles. Toothbrush bristles work by bending around the teeth and gums to loosen and massage away the top layer of plaque. If they’re not bending, you’re not brushing! The next time that you choose a brush, make sure to choose a brand that you know manufactures bristles that are soft to the touch. When your toothbrush begins to look worn out, discolored, or disfigured then it is time to get a brand new one. This may happen earlier than the standard four-month recommendation, but that is just fine.
It’s Not A Race
Every dentist that you will ever see is going to tell you to brush for two minutes twice a day. Brushing for less time than that will not be as effective because you are not giving yourself time to think about proper technique. If you have a hard time gauging how long two minutes is, then you might try setting and saving a timer on your cellphone. To make the experience more fun and set the mood for your next activity, you can put on your favorite two-minute song. The mouth has so many cracks, crevices, nooks, and crannies that deserve a really thorough cleaning. Your dentist appointments will be shorter and your gumline will thank you.
Brushing Technique
Your mouth does not have any flat surfaces in it, so it makes no sense to go in linear motions when brushing. The best way to brush is to move in little circles on every surface. This way, the bristles get the chance to bend around the teeth and gums as we mentioned before. Getting every surface in this manner is crucial. The fronts of your teeth, the chewing surfaces, and the backs all need equal attention.
You Can Trust Olney Dental for All of Your Oral Care Needs
For all of your oral care questions and concerns, Olney Dental has the expertise and professionalism to get them the answers they need. Olney Dental is ready to supply you with expert service in a professional environment. Schedule an appointment online today! For more information on how we can give your family the best dentist experience available, give us a call at (301) 250-1057 or contact us online. For more dental tips, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, YouTube, and Pinterest.