Brushing your teeth is one of the most important parts of oral hygiene. It is the front line of protection from tooth decay and plaque. It is very important that you know how to properly care for your teeth in order to maintain oral health as well as your overall health. The cleaner and healthier your teeth are, the healthier you’re likely to be as a person. Ever wondered about the proper technique for brushing?
- Two Minute Time Limit – Make sure you’re brushing for at least two minutes. If you don’t achieve this amount of time while brushing, you aren’t taking care of your teeth properly. Use short gentle strokes during this time, and don’t forget to focus carefully on the gum line; that’s where a lot of plaque will build up.
- Know Where to Brush – Tilt your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gum line to make sure you get all of the plaque off. To brush your teeth effectively, make sure you get the outside, inside, and chewing surface of every tooth. You want to make sure each tooth is cleaned in its entirety to avoid decay.
- Don’t Neglect the Tongue! – Your tongue collects bacteria just like the rest of your mouth. Make sure you brush your tongue with some toothpaste, as well, to avoid bad breath and kill the bacteria that have settled on the surface of your tongue.
It is important to make sure that you are also using a soft bristled toothbrush with effective toothpaste to get the most out of your brushing. Replace your toothbrush every 3 months or when it starts to wear down. Toothbrushes are fairly inexpensive and your dentist will generally give you one after your preventive cleaning every six months.
Leikin and Baylin Dental Care: Your Friendly, Neighborhood Dentist
At Leikin and Baylin Dental Care in Catonsville, Maryland, our team of caring health professionals provides unparalleled dental excellence. We treat our patients as members of the family. And since most procedures are performed in our office, our patients rarely need to leave our careful eye.
If you have any questions about Bad Habits that lead to Bad Teeth or wish to schedule an appointment, please contact Leikin & Baylin Dental Care by calling 410-747-1115 or visit CatonsvilleDentalCare.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.
Source: http://www.colgate.com/app/CP/US/EN/OC/Information/Articles/Oral-and-Dental-Health-Basics/Oral-Hygiene/Brushing-and-Flossing/article/How-to-Brush.cvsp