Brush twice. Floss once. These are the daily recommendations from the American Dental Association (ADA) for taking care of your teeth. However, if you aren’t using the proper techniques when brushing or flossing, you could be doing more harm than good to your teeth! Check out the steps below to make sure you are getting the most out of your dental care routine.
How to brush your teeth
Brushing your teeth twice a day is essential, but having the proper technique is just as important. First, let’s cover the basics — what materials do you need to take care of your oral health?
- A toothbrush that is ADA approved
- Fluoride toothpaste
- Floss
- Mouthwash
Now that we have our materials, here is a step-by-step process for brushing your teeth.
- Splash some water on your toothbrush
- Apply fluoride toothpaste
- Hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle
- Insert the toothbrush into your mouth and begin gently brushing back and forth on each tooth. You should spend two minutes brushing (about 30 seconds in each of the four quadrants of your mouth)
- Repeat this process twice a day
Brushing for two minutes might seem like an eternity, but it is important to not rush or brush too aggressively.
Be sure to replace your toothbrush peridocally as the bristles begin to wear out. Using a toothbrush with frayed or bent bristles may lead to more abrasive brushing and could cause damage to your gums over time. You should replace your toothbrush every three to four months to help prevent damage.
Check out this blog to learn more about the difference between a standard toothbrush and an electric toothbrush.
How to floss
Flossing cleans the areas in your teeth that a toothbrush can’t reach. For the best oral health protection, it’s important to floss once a day. Here are some tips and techniques to make sure you are flossing the right way.
- First, get about 18 inches of floss
- Wrap the floss around your thumb and pointer finger — creating a two-inch gap between your fingers
- Gently slide the floss through your teeth — curving in a C shape around each tooth.
- Before moving on to the next tooth — readjust the floss so the next tooth gets a fresh clean
- Repeat this process once a day for every tooth
Flossing should only take a couple of minutes. Make sure that you don’t floss too hard and use a new piece of floss every time you clean your teeth.
Dentists recommend two different types of floss: waxed floss and dental tape. Waxed floss gets into tight, hard-to-reach areas whereas dental tape helps cover larger areas between teeth. Click here for more information on what type of floss fits your needs.
Proper Form Is Important
As we have discussed earlier, proper technique is crucial because brushing or flossing incorrectly may harm teeth and gums.
Although it might seem like a good idea to brush your teeth aggressively, harsh brushing may cause the tooth enamel to wear down and gums to recede. This can lead to bigger problems for your oral health. Remember to be gentle, yet firm while brushing your teeth.
When it comes to flossing, follow the steps discussed earlier and remember that flossing too hard may result in damage to your teeth or gums that could result in cavities, gingivitis and gum disease. Dentists say that if your gums bleed when you floss, it means that you aren’t flossing enough. Bleeding gums may be a sign of gum disease, so it’s important to stay consistent with flossing.
Following these tips and techniques should be enough to take care of your oral health, right?
The answer is no. Even if you are brushing and flossing every day with perfect technique, it’s still important to visit your dentist every six months. The dentist can get to plaque in unreachable places and check for signs of cavities, tooth decay and oral cancer.
Click here to find a dentist near you.
Looking for more information on oral health? Check out this blog to learn more: