Most of our patients have been brushing their teeth since they were very young. What many patients are surprised to find out is, they may not be achieving the maximum benefit of their daily oral hygiene routines. That’s where the friendly dentistry team at Zumbro Family Dental can help. Our skilled hygienists answer questions you may have about at-home hygiene, demonstrate the best practices, and recommend superior products for your unique oral health needs. We love seeing our patients every six months, but the other 363 days of the year, your oral health is up to you. That’s why we care so much about helping our patients of all ages improve their at-home hygiene routines, including providing tooth brushing tips. If you have questions about caring for your smile or you’d like to schedule a dental checkup, call our Rochester, MN dentistry team today.
How often Should I Brush?
Brushing your teeth is one of the most essential aspects of any oral hygiene routines, but many patients haven’t evaluated their brushing techniques since they were kids. Next time you brush your teeth, keep the following important tooth brushing tips in mind:
- Always brush for at least two minutes at a time. If you don’t want to set a timer, try to find another way to time yourself. Think of the lyrics to your favorite song, or brush during TV commercials.
- Brush systematically not randomly. A 2015 BBC documentary, The Truth About Your Teeth, found that by purposefully brushing a specific part of the smile (i.e. the top right teeth for 30 seconds) before moving on to the next section, patients saw notable improvement in their oral health.
- Wait at least thirty minutes after eating or drinking to brush teeth. During meals, the teeth are sensitive as they are being barraged by bacteria and plaque. Give the neutralizing saliva time to do its job.
- Brush at least twice a day. Though brushing between meals is even better, so long as you wait the aforementioned half an hour.
- Make sure you brush at the gum line. Many patients neglect the area where their teeth and gums meet, but this is an ideal location for the accumulation of plaque.
Do I Have to Floss?
Yes! Flossing is the only way to clear plaque buildup from the sides of teeth. You should floss gently, but ensure you always move the floss back and forth across both sides of each tooth all the way to the gum line. If you find it difficult to floss with traditional flosses, there are numerous flossers and other products that make flossing a snap. Ask your dentist or hygienist for recommendations.
Want to Learn More?
At your next six month dental checkup, let our team help you make the most of your at-home hygiene routine. We’re always here to help you improve your techniques, find the best products, and achieve and maintain your healthiest smile all year round.
