You may not realize that there are many different approaches that you can take when it comes to brushing your teeth but that there is one specific way that will yield the best results. Rather than wasting your efforts when you could be effectively preventing problems like tooth decay and gum disease, we encourage you to take a step back for a moment and take inventory. For instance, are you using the right toothbrush? Do you brush your teeth for an appropriate length of time? Rather than making assumptions, we invite you to follow some quite simple (and extremely effective) guidelines, so you know you’re doing a great job with your home preventive care. Consider the following information for a sparkling, healthy smile:
Home Brushing: Best Preventive Care Practices
- Only brush your teeth with a soft-bristle toothbrush. Never fall victim to buying a toothbrush with hard bristles or medium bristles as part of your preventive care – they will not remove plaque any more effectively than their soft counterparts. Instead, they may irritate your gum tissue and damage your enamel (your tooth’s outermost layer).
- Replace your toothbrush regularly. We generally suggest you purchase a new brush once every three months to avoid using a brush contaminated with bacteria. However, if you need to purchase a new one more frequently, feel free to trust your own judgment. Just don’t surpass the three-month mark.
- Take a look at the toothpaste you’re buying. If it seems abrasive in any way, don’t purchase it. Instead, find a toothpaste that will clean your teeth without damaging them – feel free to enjoy your choice of flavors or extra features (like whitening or tartar control). Not sure what to do? Look for the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of approval on the package and you’re in good shape.
- Brush every surface of your teeth – not just the ones you see when you smile and not just the chewing surfaces. Take a look at your teeth. You have a front surface, back surface, chewing surface … you get the idea. Brush all of them for effective preventive care.
- Don’t neglect your gumline. The tooth tissue that meets your gum tissue is an important place, too. Sweep plaque and debris away from this area, so your gums stay healthy, as well.
ABOUT YOUR DALLAS, TX FAMILY DENTISTS:
Dr. Tran, Dr. Hoang, and the friendly, welcoming staff at Gentle Smiles will do everything possible to make you feel at home. Contact us today by calling 972-329-7645 (972-329-SMILE) to experience our compassionate, effective, and individualized care. We proudly serve patients from Dallas, TX, and all surrounding communities, including Mesquite, Balch Springs, Garland, and Seagoville.
