Brush Up on the Benefits of Brushing

Everyone wants to have a happy and healthy smile. That’s why we brush our teeth and see our dentists regularly. However, while you may be brushing your teeth every day, you may not be doing it in the right way. Consistently brushing your teeth is a good thing, but if you’re using the wrong technique you aren’t going to fully benefit from the habit. In order to get the most out of your brushing and ensure that your dental health stays in top-notch shape, you need to utilize proper tooth brushing techniques.

Why You Need to Brush Your Teeth

In addition to seeing your dentist on a regular basis, you also need to be brushing your teeth. Brushing your teeth comes with an array of benefits. These benefits include freshening the breath, preventing stains and keeping tooth decay and gum disease at bay. Gum disease is one of the primary reasons why adults lose their teeth. In addition, advanced gum disease is linked to serious health problems like diabetes, pneumonia, heart disease and stroke. The best way to prevent tooth decay and gum disease is to brush your teeth in the correct manner each and every day.

The Damage Caused by Plaque

Plaque is an incredibly damaging substance that forms on the surface of the teeth when you eat and drink. It is comprised of bacteria that interact with sugars and starches present in foods and drinks. The combination of these materials leads to the formation of a type of acid that attacks and destroys the enamel of your teeth. Failing to remove plaque leads to tooth decay and cavities. It also leads to gum irritation and inflammation. If you don’t have this issue treated, it will lead to gingivitis. Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease. Its primary symptoms include red, swollen, tender and bleeding gums. Left untreated, gingivitis will advance into more serious forms of gum disease. The most serious form of this disease is known as periodontitis. This is when the teeth and gums begin to separate, forming pockets of pus and bacteria within the mouth. Eventually, periodontitis leads to the loss of your teeth. In addition, it can cause serious complications such as infection and bone loss in your mouth.

Maintain Good Oral Health with Proper Brushing Habits

Establishing consistent oral hygiene habits at home is the best way to prevent tooth decay and gum disease from setting in. In addition to performing these habits at home, you must also be sure that you are doing them in the correct way. The American Dental Association (ADA) has a number of tips and techniques that it recommends you follow so that you can be sure that you are brushing your teeth with the proper technique. These tips include:

• Frequently brushing your teeth. In a perfect world this would be done after every meal. If that isn’t feasible for you, you should be sure that you brush twice a day. This habit will help to keep the levels of bacteria and acid present in your mouth at a minimum.
• Brushing all of your teeth. Make sure you’re reaching the teeth that are located in more difficult areas of your mouth. You should also be sure to brush sensitive teeth. If you are experiencing discomfort or pain while brushing, you should contact a dentist in Bradenton to book an appointment as soon as possible.
• Choosing a toothbrush. Your toothbrush should have soft bristles, yet it should also be firm enough to withstand removing plaque. Soft bristles are important as they help to prevent damaging your teeth and gums. Experts are now recommending that people consider using electric or battery-operated toothbrushes. Studies have shown that these devices can remove plaque and gum disease better.
• Selecting a toothpaste. There are many choices available for you to choose from. Choose a type of toothpaste that has been approved by the ADA.
• Perfecting technique. Divide your mouth into four sections and brush each section for 30 seconds. Make sure that you’re brushing the inside, outside and bottom areas of the teeth in each section. In addition, you should be holding your toothbrush at a small angle. Brush with gentle, short back-and-forth motions. Don’t neglect brushing your tongue as well.
• Brush round and round, not up and down. Brush using a soft circular motion instead of up-and-down brushing. Circular motions prevent wear and tear of your teeth and gums from happening.
• Timing is imperative. Dental health professionals tend to recommend that you brush your teeth for a minimum of two minutes. This allows for plenty of plaque and food particles to be removed from the mouth.
• Clean your dental equipment. Rinse your toothbrush out in water after you brush. You should set it upright and allow it to air-dry. You should also avoid keeping your toothbrush covered or stored in an enclosed container, as this can lead to the production of bacteria on the toothbrush itself.
• Replace your toothbrush regularly. No matter what kind of toothbrush you utilize, you need to replace it every three months or whenever the bristles start to look worn out.
• Floss daily. There are places in your mouth that can’t be reached by a toothbrush. Flossing after you brush is an essential part of your oral hygiene routine.
• Rinse after brushing. You can use an ADA approved mouthwash to get rid of any remaining food particles and germs that have been left behind after you have brushed and flossed.
• The order of events. You can floss before you brush or brush before you floss.
• See your family dentist. You should be scheduling routine appointments to your dentist every six months. Don’t skip your visits. They are an important part of keeping your mouth healthy.

Frequently Brushing Your Teeth Keeps Your Mouth Healthy

Proper technique makes all the difference when it comes to brushing your teeth. Don’t neglect this essential part of your dental health care.