How to Brush Your Teeth
Tooth brushing is an important part of regular oral health and hygiene. The toothbrush should be held at a 45 degree angle to the gums, and moved back and forth in short tooth-wide strokes across the surface of the teeth. This process should be repeated for the outer, inner, and bite surfaces of the teeth, spending around 15 seconds on each quadrant of the mouth. Brushing should be gentle and performed with an extra-soft bristle toothbrush.
How to Floss Your Teeth
Gum disease begins at the gum line, and regular flossing works to remove this bacteria and debris from hard-to-reach places. When you floss, first wind about 18 inches of floss between the middle finger of one hand and index finger of another, keeping about 2 inches of floss taught between the two fingers. Guide the taught floss between teeth, making sure to use zig-zag motions to dislodge any debris lurking between. Floss the back, front, and sides of each tooth as you move from one to the next.
Electric VS Manual Brush
Both electric and manual toothbrushes are effective at cleaning teeth as long as you use them correctly. Electric toothbrushes may make brushing easier by removing more plaque at one time, but often individuals use these brushes too roughly without realizing they could be damaging their enamel. Whether one chooses an electric or manual toothbrush, brushing should be gentle on the surface of the teeth and it should be done with only an extra-soft bristle toothbrush. Talking with your dentist can determine which style of toothbrush is best for you.
Bad breaths
Bad breath can have many causes. Plaque and bacteria that accumulates between your teeth and under your gums is a leading cause of bad breath due to poor oral hygiene, and can be remedied with regular visits to your dentist as well as proper oral health care. Bacteria, dead cells, and food debris can also accumulate on the tongue, which should be brushed or scraped when you brush your teeth. If bad breath is caused by diet, brushing your teeth, flossing your teeth, and then following up with an oral rinse can fix the problem.
Dental Health Your Diet
The food you eat can have a huge impact on your dental health. If you make regular trips to your dentist, you brush and floss regularly and correctly, and you otherwise prioritize your dental health, you may still experience issues with your mouth if your diet isn’t a healthy one. One should brush their teeth after eating carbohydrates or sugars, they should prioritize healthy whole foods, and sugary drinks should be avoided to ensure a healthier mouth.
Fluoride Decay Prevention
Fluoride is an important part of decay prevention and avoidance. Tooth decay occurs when bacteria makes its way through the hard enamel surface of the teeth, eating its way through the tooth’s very structure. Fluoride, calcium, and phosphate work together to re-strengthen the enamel of your teeth, and it even has the power to reverse very early signs of tooth decay. Fluoride exists naturally in the water we drink and in our saliva, but often in quantities not enough to uphold enamel alone. Fluoride treatments from your dentist are just the push your teeth need to keep themselves healthy and strong.