Practice makes perfect, even with your toothbrush and floss. While you may have learned the skill long ago, cleaning your teeth can become monotonous after a lifetime of daily repetition (at least twice, according to the recommended daily schedule). Mindlessly brushing your teeth might cover most of their surfaces, but the spots you miss might make you regret not paying closer attention. The point of brushing and flossing your teeth twice every day is to control the buildup of plaque and the harmful bacteria it contains. With a few of Dr. Wright’s hygiene tips, you can help ensure that your hygiene habits accomplish their purpose of protecting your teeth and gums from disease.
Use the Right Tools
If you walk down the toiletries aisle at your local supermarket or pharmacy, you might have to take quite a few steps to cover the entire toothbrush selection. Not all of them, however, are equally effective at cleaning your teeth. Dr. Wright recommends using a soft-bristled toothbrush with the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of approval. Harsh bristles can scrape the enamel off of your teeth, leaving them sensitive and vulnerable to cavity-causing bacteria.
Conserve Your Energy
The few minutes you take to clean your teeth shouldn’t require much energy. Yet, if your teeth feel especially grimy, or if you’re in a hurry, you may be tempted to put a little extra elbow grease into it. Dr. Wright’s advice—practice restraint. Like harsh bristles, hard scrubbing can also remove the protective enamel from your teeth, or irritate your gums and cause them to recede from your teeth’s roots.
Cover as Much Ground as Possible (Literally)
Behind, in front of, and on top of your teeth are natural places for you to pass your toothbrush, but they aren’t the only spots where oral bacteria gather. Use your brush or a tongue-scraper to clean the top, sides, and bottom of your tongue, where bad-breath bacteria like to linger. Also, brush the roof of your mouth gently, from front to back, as well as the insides of your cheeks. Though you don’t have to floss after every brushing, Dr. Wright advises you do so at least once a day, preferably before bedtime, to clean bacteria and food debris from between all of your teeth.
About Your Southlake Dentists:
For more information on improving your hygiene routine at home, or if it’s been a while since you attended a dental checkup and cleaning, then speak with Dr. Wright and Dr. Heron as soon as possible to schedule an appointment.
As a native Texan, Dr. Gregory Wright opened his private practice in Southlake, TX in 1992. He and Dr. Victoria Heron are happily accepting new patients from Southlake, Grapevine, Keller, Trophy Club, Colleyville, and all surrounding communities. To learn more, call our office today at (817) 481-7999.
