If you want to keep your teeth healthy, some of the most important steps you can take are brushing and flossing your teeth every day. In addition, coming in for regular dental checkups with the professional team at Lovett Dental Missouri City can help to protect you from the effects of plaque, tartar, and cavities. If you want to learn how to brush your teeth more thoroughly, there are some key tips to keep in mind.
How to Brush Your Teeth
In order to properly brush your teeth, make sure you’re taking the time you need to do it. If you want to make sure your teeth are clean enough, it takes at least two full minutes. Most kids and adults don’t brush for long enough, but you can get accustomed to a longer tooth-brushing session by using the timer on your phone or a stopwatch.
Make sure to brush along the gumline with short, gentle strokes. Your back teeth and molars also require special attention as you may use these teeth the most to chew your food.
If you have crowns, fillings, dental implants or other dental work, make sure you also brush these areas gently and thoroughly. One of the advantages of dental implants is that they can be cared for like normal teeth, but it is important to keep up your maintenance.
Properly Brush Your Teeth Thoroughly
To get started, first clean the outside surfaces of the upper row of teeth. Then, move to cleaning the outside of your lower teeth. Next, clean the insides of your upper, then lower, teeth. Clean the chewing surfaces of your molars and back teeth. Before you finish, make sure to brush your tongue to keep your breath clean and fresh.
For best results, always use fluoride toothpaste. You can also get a fluoride treatment at our Lovett Dental Missouri City office, but regular maintenance is critical to keeping strong, healthy teeth. Complete this brushing process for at least two minutes at least twice a day, first thing in the morning and before you go to bed at night.
For best results, brushing alone is insufficient. Make sure that you floss at least once a day, especially before you sleep in the evening. Limit the number of times you eat during the day to minimize the amount of time that bacteria and other plaque-causing elements remain in your mouth. A professional tooth cleaning every six months at your dentist’s office is also essential to maintaining your oral health.
Choosing the Right Toothbrush
You might think that you need to use a hard toothbrush to get the most plaque and bacteria off your teeth. On the contrary, a softer toothbrush is often the best bet to protect your enamel while cleansing thoroughly. Toothbrushes with relatively small heads can be the best option because you can fit them more easily in difficult-to-reach crevices.
You may want to consider an electric toothbrush, especially if you struggle with meeting the two-minute mark when brushing your teeth. If your hands shake, you have limited dexterity, or you tire easily, using a powered brush can ease the process and help keep your teeth clean and protected.
It’s best to use a new toothbrush regularly for the best results. Replace your toothbrush when it begins to look old, frayed, and worn. In general, toothbrushes should be replaced every three months. In addition, if you’ve had a cold or other respiratory infection, this is a key time to replace your toothbrush. The bristles can collect germs that can lead to another infection for you if you continue to use the same brush.
There are many great, effective kinds of toothpaste on the market. You can choose a toothpaste that specializes in your needs, whether that’s caring for sensitive teeth, preserving your enamel, or even dental whitening. Of course, the best long-term whitening results are achieved through professional care at your Lovett Dental Missouri City office. So long as you choose a fluoride toothpaste, you will be well-served. You can also ask your dentist for recommendations during your next visit.
Improve Your Oral Health with Professional Dental Care
Brushing your teeth daily is a great way to keep up your oral health. It is no substitute, however, for your regular, six-month dental checkup. Not only can professional tools remove tartar and plaque that you can’t reach at home, our trained hygienists and skilled dentists will also examine your teeth for signs of cavities, decay, or other damage.
Keep your teeth in great shape when you properly brush your teeth every day and come in for a professional dental cleaning. Contact Lovett Dental Missouri City at 281-969-5099 to set up your next dental appointment today.