Keeping your teeth clean is one of the most important ways to protect your oral health, avoid tooth decay, and prevent gum disease. Here’s what you should know.
Brushing Basics
Brushing your teeth every day is one important part of protecting your oral health.
How Often Should You Brush Your Teeth?
You should brush your teeth after each meal. Keep a toothbrush in your bag or desk drawer so you can keep your mouth clean even when you are at work. If you can’t brush your teeth after a meal, you should at least rinse your mouth out with water.
What Kind Of Brushing Technique Should You Use?
Start by flossing your teeth. This will dislodge most particles. Then rinse out your mouth and start brushing. You should move your toothbrush in small circles instead of back and forth. This is more effective at dislodging particles and it is less damaging to your enamel. Be sure to brush for at least two minutes.
Why Is Toothpaste Important?
Toothpaste will make your mouth feel and smell fresher, but it also plays an important role in keeping your teeth clean and healthy. Toothpaste includes non-soluble abrasives to dislodge particles, detergents to create foam, and fluoride to strengthen your teeth.
What Toothbrush Should You Use?
In most cases you should use a toothbrush with soft founded bristles. Bristles that are too hard can damage your enamel.
Dental Cleanings
No matter how well you clean your teeth at home, it is important to visit your dentist for regular cleanings. The dentist has tools that can clean your teeth more thoroughly than you can on your own.
At New Smiles professional cleanings remove plaque and tartar from your teeth. Tartar is quite hard and it is usually not possible to remove it on your own. Dental cleanings can also include removing stains and polishing the teeth.
Keeping your teeth clean is probably the most important thing you can do to keep your teeth healthy and prevent cavities, gingivitis, or tooth loss in the future. Contact New Smiles to schedule a checkup and a professional cleaning today.
