Each day, we all need to brush and floss our teeth. This goes for kids and adults alike. However, many people may be doing so improperly, which leaves smiles vulnerable to tooth decay and gingivitis. In today’s blog, your El Paso, TX, dentists talk about the best ways to brush and floss your teeth!
Brushing Teeth
We should be brushing our teeth twice a day, once when we wake up and then again before going to bed. We should all be using a toothbrush with soft bristles, as this prevents inadvertent enamel damage or gum recession if we brush too hard. You can opt for an electric or manual option; both are effective if used properly. Be sure your kids use an age-appropriate option. When brushing, you should use a fluoride toothpaste as this helps strengthen the projective layer of tooth enamel. Kids three and younger should use a blot the size of a grain of rice, and everyone else should use a pea-sized blot. You should clean the front sides with circular motions, and approach the teeth at a 45-degree angle to clean the top, sides, and along the gum line too.
Flossing Daily
People of all ages need to floss too! When we floss, we remove what is caught between the teeth or in the gum line, which is often inaccessible for our toothbrush’s bristles. You can use tape, string, picks or even water flossers. Just take time to clean up and down each side of every tooth, dipping beneath the gum line in a “c” motion when you do. This removes trapped particles and limits the risk of gingivitis and gum disease, as well as tooth decay. You should do this every evening right before you brush for the second time.
Your Diet Helps Too!
What we eat is a major factor too! Foods and drinks high in sugar and starch leave behind particles clinging to the teeth, along the gum line, or between the teeth. Oral bacteria will consume them and create plaque and tartar buildup, which in turn increases the risk of bad breath, teeth stains, cavities, and even gingivitis and gum disease. Instead, eat fresh veggies and fruits, drink plenty of water, and add whole grain items or options high in vitamin C and D, which can help your smile and your heart health too!
If you have any questions about protecting your smile from home, then contact our team today to learn more.
TALK TO SUNNY SMILES IN EL PASO, TX, ABOUT CLEANING TEETH
Our team wants to help protect smiles with advice on proper daily brushing and flossing. If you’re ready to schedule a visit for a checkup and cleaning visit, then contact our Sunny Smiles location on N Zaragoza Rd in El Paso, TX at 915-849-9000.