You’ve been brushing your own teeth since you were five. You switch to auto pilot morning and night and get it over with. At Karen E. Williamson DDS PA in Rockwall, we ask what may sound like a silly question: are you doing it right?
Actually, many men and women are making tooth brushing mistakes. You may need to tweak your routine to better support your oral health and guard your smile from decay and gum disease.
Here are critical tooth brushing 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 swiftly you finish. The process should take at least two to three minutes. It can also be helpful to take a different route around your mouth every few days. By adjusting 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 difficult to clear away the plaque from all those narrow gaps between your teeth. That is where bacteria can easily multiply and start the decay process.
3. Use the right toothbrush.
It is ironic that some people hurt their enamel or gums because they brush too forcibly with a hard brush. dentist Williamson 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 tooth brush near the toilet.
This is repulsive 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 allow 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 consistently under assault from acidic foods and drinks and fluoride helps it remineralize.
At Karen E. Williamson DDS PA in Rockwall we want all of our patients to enjoy excellent dental health, and it begins with brushing and flossing at home every day. Our services include family and cosmetic dentistry. Call for an appointment today!
Contact Karen E Williamson D.D.S., P.A:
469-402-0024
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
560 W Ralph Hall Pkwy, Rockwall, TX
Rockwall, Texas
75032
