Are You Brushing Your Teeth Correctly?

Our Merced dentist team often sees new patients who haven’t been brushing their teeth well leading up to their first visit. Good dental hygiene depends on proper care and attention. Their lack of awareness of proper brushing and flossing techniques can be adjusted easily. Here are a few gentle reminders for the best oral health practices:

Length of Time

Your dentist Merced and the ADA both strongly recommend brushing your teeth for a full two minutes each session. There are four quadrants in your mouth, so dedicate 30 seconds of attention to each section. If four 30-second intervals sound like more time than you usually spend in your mouth, consider that the newer electric toothbrushes come equipped with timers. For younger children who may have difficulty counting to 30, play a song during toothbrush time. There are also many apps to practice brushing the full length of time.

The Motion

To ensure you’re reaching all the nooks and crannies, brush your teeth in small circles. This allows the bristles to clean the entire surface area without dulling your brush down too quickly. Brush gently to protect your gums, as abrasive brushing can cause more harm to the gentle tissue than good. Small and gentle circles are the most effective and caring way to brush.

Keep It Fresh

In time, all things age. Old toothbrushes will more likely have worn-down bristles that don’t clean as effectively as straight fresh bristles would. Not only do fresh toothbrushes work better, but they also won’t harbor as much bacteria as a toothbrush that’s been collecting germs for a few months beyond their recommended lifespan. Your Merced cosmetic dentist reminds you to replace your toothbrush with a fresh one every three months. Ask us for a replacement during your next visit!

Practice Daily

Flossing should be done at least once daily, and you should brush at least twice every day. If your food and drink choices are especially sweet or acidic, brush and floss again. Better to brush an extra time than to let cavities roll in. They love laziness! Brushing and flossing are necessary to stay on top of your oral health practice.

We’re happy to offer additional tips for the kids during their next visit. For those old enough for social media, like our Facebook page to keep up on the latest oral health tips and trends, and a few posts that we hope will make you smile. Your smile is our goal!