At NY Smile Creators in Flushing, we emphasize the importance of preventive dentistry. Preventive dentistry isn’t just visiting us for regular exams and cleanings, but also includes your oral hygiene habits at home. While most people know they are supposed to brush and floss twice a day, few people actually follow this practice — instead, most brush only once, and very few people floss regularly.
To improve your oral hygiene habits and the effectiveness of your regular brushing and flossing, we’ve outlined some of the best tips and tricks. These will keep your teeth and gums healthy and strong, so you spend less time get cavities filled and more enjoying your beautiful smile.
Replace Your Toothbrush
One of the worst habits people have is keeping their toothbrushes for far longer than they should. Did you know the average plastic toothbrush is only supposed to be used for 3 to 4 months? Over time, the bristles start to break, wear down, or fall out, leaving the toothbrush headless effective. Plaque, tartar, and bacteria also build up on the surface, putting you at risk of developing gum disease or an oral infection.
One of the best tips for improving your brushing habits is to thus invest in a new toothbrush regularly. If you are worried about replacing yours often, consider investing in an electric model with replaceable heads. Try to choose a brush with soft, evenly spaced bristles, as these are the most ideal for cleaning your teeth. The samples we hand out at NY Smile Creators in Flushing after regular cleanings are the type you should aim for.
Brush at the Right Angle
Believe it or not, but there is a right angle for brushing. According to dental specialists, you need to be placing your brush at a 45-degree angle to your gums for the best results. This can be difficult to achieve at first, but it is the best way to eliminate built-up plaque and bacteria from between the teeth and gums. If you need pointers, our skilled staff can show you how.
Floss at the Right Angle
Dentists aren’t lying when we say that your gums bleed when we floss because you haven’t been flossing properly. Most people are timid about using floss, but you are supposed to use the clean material to dip inside the crevices that sit between your teeth and the external face of the gums. This is where plaque builds up. You need to angle the floss to carefully scoop out the buildup for the best results.
Avoid Applying Too Much Pressure
One of the worst things people do to their gums is brushing their teeth as hard as possible. While some think this will make your teeth extra clean, it hurts your gums and can cause them to recede. Instead of using as much pressure as you can, brush gently but thoroughly, making sure to hit every side of your teeth. Don’t forget to scrub behind and along the sides, especially the regions you can’t see.
Have Regular Habits
One of the easiest ways to improve brushing and flossing is to make it a regular habit and stick to it. Often, individuals who don’t have a schedule will forego brushing and flossing correctly because they forget, are too tired, or simply find the activity boring and unnecessary. However, to get the best results and make an overall improvement to oral hygiene, it’s important to make the activity a genuine habit.
Set a designated time each morning and night to brush your teeth for two minutes and then floss. Incorporate it into your regular schedule so that you receive the maximum benefits of repeated preventive dentistry, and pay attention. Make sure you are following all of the tips above so that you are cleaning properly and not damaging your teeth and gums.
Conclusion
These simple tips and tricks will improve how you brush and floss regularly. For the best results, remember to use toothpaste, floss, and mouthwash that has been approved by the American Dental Association (ADA), and don’t be afraid of fluoridated products. These keep the enamel healthy and strong and can ensure you earn a gold star at your future appointments with us at NY Smile Creators.