In today’s post, let’s look at some specifics about brushing your teeth, and its importance to dental health. One key to activating the value of toothpastes is creating foam when properly brushing.
Working up a good foam is accomplished by pre-wetting the toothbrush, then attacking at a 45 rather than 90 degree angle. The foaming assists in dislodging food debris from nooks and crannies in the mouth. Go ahead and swish it around at the completion of brushing to pick up any stragglers. The abrasives in toothpaste are designed to polish the teeth without damaging the enamel.
Because of the abrasives, soft toothbrushes are ideal for proper brushing. Harder bristles can put the enamel and gum line at risk. When the gum line recedes from aggressive brushing (or any other cause) a patient may observe tooth pain, increased build-up and decay, tooth structure weakening, and in extreme cases, tooth loss.
The fluoride in the toothpaste promotes remineralization when the paste has been rubbed around on all surfaces of all teeth in the entire mouth. This takes time so make certain you brush for at least 2-3 minutes.
Furthermore, remember that flossing is important and rounds out the 5 minutes each day to give you healthy, pain-free chewing for years and years to come.
To recap:
Wet soft bristle toothbrush
Use fluoridated toothpaste
Brush at 45 degree angle
Brush gently for 2-3 minutes
Cover every surface of every tooth
Swish around in mouth before spitting out
Floss gently around each tooth and don’t forget the back surface of the rear molars
Rinse out debris
This dental health article is brought to you by Staten Island Dental Care. We have been serving Staten Island area families since 1976 with general dentistry, and – yes – tips on brushing your teeth. Make an appointment with us today!
Contact Staten Island Dental Care – Dr. Frederick Hecht:
718-761-5757
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
1520 Richmond Ave
Staten Island, New York
10314
