Brushing your teeth is an important part of your dental care routine. For a healthy mouth and smile the ADA recommends you:
-Brush your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled brush. The size and shape of your brush should fit your mouth allowing you to reach all areas easily.
-Replace your toothbrush every three or four months, or sooner if the bristles are frayed. A worn toothbrush won’t do a good job of cleaning your teeth.
-Make sure to use an fluoride toothpaste.
The proper brushing technique is to:
-Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums.
Gently move the brush back and forth in short (tooth-wide) strokes.
-Brush the outer surfaces, the inner surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.
-To clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, tilt the brush vertically and make several up-and-down strokes.
Of course, brushing your teeth is only a part of a complete dental care routine. You should also make sure to:
-Clean between teeth daily once a day. Tooth decay-causing bacteria still linger between teeth where toothbrush bristles can’t reach. This helps remove plaque and food particles from between the teeth and under the gum line.
-Eat a balanced diet that limits sugary beverages and snacks.
-See your dentist regularly for prevention and treatment of oral disease.
Flossing
Flossing is an important oral hygiene habit. It cleans and dislodges food stuck between your teeth, which reduces the amount of bacteria and plaque in your mouth. Plaque is a sticky film that builds up on teeth and contributes to cavities and gum disease.
Of course, it isn’t enough to simply floss. It’s important to floss correctly. Improper flossing can potentially damage your teeth and gums. So, if you’re unsure about the right way to clean in between your teeth, here’s a step-by-step guide on the best way to floss.
How to floss correctly?
Flossing instructions
1.Break off about 18 to 24 inches of dental floss. To hold the floss correctly, wind most of the floss around both of your middle fingers. Leave only about 1 to 2 inches of floss for your teeth.
2.Next, hold the floss taut with your thumbs and index fingers.
3.Place the dental floss in between two teeth. Gently glide the floss up and down, rubbing it against both sides of each tooth. Don’t glide the floss into your gums. This can scratch or bruise your gums.
4.As the floss reaches your gums, curve the floss at the base of the tooth to form a C shape. This allows the floss to enter the space between your gums and your tooth.
5.Repeat the steps as you move from tooth to tooth. With each tooth, use a new, clean section of floss.
Sometimes patients have braces and the floosing is hard for them .So, what’s the best way to floss with braces?
Flossing with braces can be tricky, and it takes more time than flossing without braces. If you use regular floss, give yourself 10 to 15 minutes to floss your teeth.
With this method, choose waxed floss, which is less likely to tear and get stuck in your braces.
Flossing instructions for braces
1.Break off about 18 to 24 inches of waxed dental floss.
2.Stand in front of a mirror so you can make sure the floss is going where you need it to.
3.Start by threading the floss between your teeth and the main wire. Twist the loose ends of the floss around your index fingers so you can move the floss around easily.
4.Press the floss between the two teeth as gently as you can. Then, move the floss up and down along the sides of both teeth.
5.When working on your top teeth, try to make an upside-down U with the floss. To do this, go up the side of one tooth until you get to the gumline. Then, glide the floss down the side of the other tooth.
6.Gently remove the floss and carefully unthread it from behind the wire. Avoid popping the floss out of your tooth, as you could dislodge a wire.
7.Now, move on to the next two teeth, and use the same technique until you’ve flossed between all your teeth.
However, it’s generally recommended to floss and then brush your teeth.