How Long Should You Brush Your Teeth For?
Dental hygiene is essential in maintaining health and white teeth, and yet many neglect brushing their teeth every day. In addition to brushing and flossing, regular appointments with a dentist will keep your mouth healthy.
The Importance Of Oral Hygiene
Your teeth have a big effect on your appearance and confidence, so it’s imperative to have a good oral hygiene routine to maintain that pearly white smile.
Oral hygiene has a great impact on your overall health, where any complications in your oral health can have negative effects on other parts of your body. Take gum disease, for example, which has been linked to a variety of health issues such as heart diseases, strokes, and diabetes
Many people are unpleasantly surprised when they run into dental problems when they’ve been regularly brushing their teeth. What many don’t realize is that there can be a wrong way to brush your teeth, causing dental issues to arise.
When & How Often Should You Brush Your Teeth?
From a young age, we’re taught how to brush our teeth and how often we should do it.Dental health professionals recommend brushing your teeth with fluoride toothpaste twice a day, once in the morning and once before bed.
By brushing your teeth, you’re removing any remaining food particles and plaque, which is a sticky white film that forms on your teeth and harbours bacteria. It’s important to remove that plaque on your teeth, as the bacteria in the plaque produces acid that attacks tooth enamel.
Enamel acts as a protective barrier for your teeth from daily activities, such as chewing, biting, and grinding, and from harmful bacteria.
If the plaque is left on the teeth for a long time, it can begin to harden into tartar, which is much more difficult to remove. Not to mention, tartar buildup on the gums may cause inflammation and gum disease.
You should make it a habit to brush your teeth for two minutes, which will ensure all the plaque is removed. Be sure to brush the tongue-side of your teeth and the back teeth, which are often forgotten.
The gum line and tongue should also be brushed, using less force as you would on your teeth. When brushing your gums, place the brush at a 45-degree angle, which allows you to clean the gum line properly.
Tips To Improve Your Oral Hygiene Routine
The first step to take to ensure a healthy oral hygiene routine is to have a correct toothbrush. Although a hard or firm bristled brush may feel like it cleans your teeth better than a soft brush, it can be very damaging to your gums.
The best way to brush your teeth is by using a soft-bristled toothbrush with gentle force. There is no need to vigorously brush your teeth, instead, take two minutes to brush in a short circular motion.
Another misconception people have is that simply brushing their teeth and flossing is enough. Rinsing your teeth with antimicrobial mouthwash after brushing will help prevent plaque from growing and will kill more oral bacteria.
Some foods, like apples, carrots, lettuce, and cucumbers have been found to help keep your teeth white. These coarse and fibrous foods help scrub tooth surfaces and remove some of the plaque that has accumulated throughout the day.
Dental & Oral Hygiene Specialists At Preston Dental
Everyone wants to have a beautiful, pearly white smile, which can be easily achievable with proper oral hygiene.
Our expert dental hygienists at Preston Dental Care are more than happy to speak with you about creating the best plan for your ongoing oral health care. We take pride in our dedication to providing our patients with the best dental care available in Ottawa.
Get in touch with us to learn more about our dental care services and book your next appointment today.
Our Modern Facility And Technology
A modern, centrally located dental office that employs some of the most advanced dental equipment and instrument sterilization techniques makes Preston Dental Centre a unique health care facility. The warm inviting offices, natural light in every room and professional staff will all confirm that PDC is unlike any dental office you have visited before.