Each day, you need to brush and floss your teeth. These actions help fight plaque buildup and protect smiles from serious problems. But to do so effectively, you have to clean your teeth properly. In today’s blog, your El Paso, TX, dentists talk about how to properly brush and floss your teeth, protecting your smile from tooth decay and gum disease in the process.
The Importance of Fighting Plaque Buildup
When harmful oral bacteria break down and consume particles of sugar and starch left on or between our teeth, this creates a layer of plaque that coats the teeth and hardens into tartar with time. You cannot remove the buildup with brushing and flossing alone, and the more severe it becomes, the more likely you are to develop bad breath, stained teeth, and even tooth decay and gum disease. Which is why daily care in between your professional dental cleaning visits are so important, as this can limit how much plaque can form until we remove it all with a cleaning.
Brushing Teeth
First thing in the morning you should brush your teeth for two minutes. Be sure whether you use electric or manual toothbrushes, you choose one with soft bristles to prevent inadvertent enamel damage or gum recession if you brush too hard. We also recommend a fluoride toothpaste, as this helps strengthen the outer enamel. Kids three and younger need a rice sized blog of this, and everyone else needs a pea sized amount. Everyone needs to brush daily, approaching their teeth at a 45-degree angle to clean the tops, sides, and along the gum line. The front teeth can be cleaned with circular motions too.
Flossing Each Night
Flossing removes what is caught between the teeth or in the gum line, beyond the reach of a toothbrush’s bristles. This should happen every evening before you brush, so when you use your toothbrush, you sweep away the dislodged food particles. Kids also need this as soon as there are teeth sitting side-by-side. Take a length of floss tape, or use a pick, to clean up and down each side of every tooth, dipping beneath the gum line when you do. These actions help fight cavities and even gingivitis and gum disease too.
If you have any questions about caring for your smile each day, or about scheduling a visit with our team, then contact our team to learn more today.
TALK TO SUNNY SMILES IN EL PASO, TX, ABOUT CLEANING YOUR TEETH
We would like to help you better care for your smile from home. If you’re ready to schedule a visit with our team, contact our Sunny Smiles location on N Zaragoza Rd in El Paso, TX at 915-849-9000.