Human teeth and gums
require regular maintenance to help them ward off disease and decay.
You can encourage your ongoing dental wellness by brushing your teeth
regularly. When properly performed, this form of preventative care
can remove plaque and reduce the tartar buildup that promotes dental
problems.
Even the most
essential and helpful hygiene practices can fail to deliver their
promised benefits if you incorporate them incorrectly. Here are some
do's and don'ts to keep in mind as you brush your way to better oral
health.
Do Brush Twice a
Day
Even in an age when
people recognize the need and value of regular tooth brushing, some 75
percent
of
Millennials brush their teeth only once a day. This routine flies in
the face of the American Dental Association's recommendations, which
specify that people should brush their teeth twice a day.
A lackadaisical
brushing schedule allows bacteria, sugars, acids, and food particles
to linger on your tooth enamel. This biofilm, known as plaque, comes
off fairly easily if you address it in a timely manner. If you let it
harden into tartar, however, only a professional dental cleaning can
remove it.
Don't Brush Right
After Eating
You might have an
understandable urge to brush your teeth right after a meal.
Unfortunately, while this practice can remove unsightly food
particles and freshen your breath, it can also contribute to the
deterioration of tooth enamel, especially if you brush immediately
after consuming acidic foods or drinks.
Citrus fruits (or
juices), tomatoes, coffee, alcoholic beverages, and sweets also
contain acids that can erode enamel. This damage figures prominently
in the development of cavities, but it can also thin your enamel over
time, making your teeth more sensitive and vulnerable to breakage.
If you brush your
teeth immediately following a meal, the friction from your toothbrush
can actually increase acid erosion. Your saliva needs time to start
breaking down acidic substances before you can safely brush them
away. Allow 15
to 20 minutes
for this process to occur before you brush.
Do Brush With
Care
Your toothbrush can
do your teeth more harm than good if you wield it too aggressively.
Excessive pressure can contribute to premature enamel wear while also
irritating the tissue at the gum line. In some cases, this irritation
can lead to receding gums, an unattractive issue that can expose the
tooth roots.
Fortunately, proper
brushing technique can remove fresh plaque from your teeth without
much force. Simply place the bristles against the gum line at a
45-degree angle and move the brush in small circular or
back-and-forth motions, using light pressure. Then rotate the
bristles to sweep the loosed plaque from each tooth.
Don't Use the
Wrong Tools
Even with the most
careful brushing technique, you must still consider what kind of
toothbrush will remove plaque as safely and gently as possible if you
want to avoid tooth or gum damage. A soft-bristled brush can clean
your teeth just as effectively as a firmer type of toothbrush, making
it a sensible default choice.
Your choice of
toothpaste can also make a difference in protecting your tooth
enamel. Dentists recommend fluoride toothpastes as an essential tool
for combating tooth decay. Toothpastes that bear the American Dental
Association (ADA) stamp of approval should contain the right level of
fluoride to safeguard your teeth.
If your tooth enamel
has already decayed or eroded, you may suffer from chronic tooth
sensitivity. People who have this issue tend to experience pain when
their teeth come into contact with cold, hot, or sugary substances.
Look for an
ADA-approved toothpaste specially formulated to reduce this
sensitivity. If over-the-counter products fail to help, you may still
benefit from a prescription toothpaste. Even in the worst-case
scenario, you can most likely solve this problem by receiving crowns
or other restorations.
Now that you
understand some essential tooth brushing dos and don'ts, make sure
that you put them into practice correctly alongside other dental best
practices. Contact
the office of Michael G. Landy DDS to schedule a consultation and
exam.
