Should You Time Yourself When You Brush Your Teeth?

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Should You Time Yourself When You Brush Your Teeth?

By Wright Smiles

Are you confident that your teeth are healthy, and that you are taking good care of your smile on a daily basis? Even if you have not had a cavity identified at a recent dental exam with your Southlake, TX dentist, it can be a good idea to look into your current habits and see how you might be able to make improvements. After all, the effectiveness of your brushing routine helps you prevent the buildup of plaque on teeth, as well as the formation of tartar. One easy way to test yourself is to set a timer for two minutes when you brush again. Does it feel natural to brush for that length of time, or did it feel unusually long? This is the amount of time you should dedicate to effectively cleaning your teeth – shorter sessions can leave areas of your smile more vulnerable to problems.

Your Brushing Routine May Be Less Effective Than You Realize

If you are not brushing thoroughly and consistently, you may not realize just how vulnerable you are to a buildup of plaque and tartar, as well as problems like tooth decay and gum disease. The accumulation of harmful debris on your smile can make you progressively more vulnerable to issues that negatively impact your oral health. By improving your habits before your next checkup, you can reduce your risk for hearing bad news from your dentist.

Features Of A Good Brushing Routine

If you are not doing so already, you should be brushing for at least two minutes every time you take care of your smile. What else can you do to improve your oral hygiene routine?

  • Be careful about how long you hold onto your toothbrush – if the bristles look worn, or if you have had it for more than three months, it should be replaced
  • Work the brush at a forty-five degree angle, and make sure you clean at your gum line to protect yourself against gum disease
  • Confirm that your toothpaste has received an ADA approval, and that it contains fluoride
  • Be careful not to brush too forcefully, as excess effort can speed up wear and tear on your enamel, which can hurt your oral health

Additional Tips For Taking Care Of Your Smile

Even if after improving your brushing routine, you may be leaving the spaces between your teeth vulnerable to problems. To address this, make sure you floss at least once a day. You can further avoid problems by maintaining a diet that is lower in sugar, and have water with meals and snacks.

Your Southlake, TX Dentist’s Office Helps Area Families Take Good Care Of Their Teeth

Dr. Wright, Dr. Heron, and our entire team are proud to help people in and around Southlake, TX protect their teeth and gums from oral health threats.

Call our to make an appointment with a dentist who may be able to help you find out more about this topic, and improve your oral health.