Are You Brushing Right?

Most of the problems we see at our Bellevue dental clinic can be linked to poor brushing technique. Even if you consider yourself a pretty decent brusher, the difference between “good” oral hygiene and “great” oral hygiene is noticeable in the dentist chair. Take a look at this simple list of brushing tips, and see if your own routine could benefit from a little more care.

Flossing and Brushing Tips

• Floss before brushing. This allows the fluoride of the toothpaste to get in between your teeth better.
• Brush twice a day, once after you wake up and once before you go to sleep, after your last meal of the day. Plan not to eat or drink anything except water between your last brushing of the day and your bedtime; your mouth is less able to defend itself while you sleep.
• Brush for about two minutes at a time. Too little may leave you insufficiently cleaned, and too much might be too hard on your gums.
• Do not brush directly after eating. Acids in your food can weaken your tooth enamel for a short while, making them vulnerable to being stripped away by your brush.
• Hold your brush at a forty-five degree angle to your teeth and brush in a circular motion, gently massaging your gums.

Additional Dental Care Steps

Remember that plaque can gather on your tongue as well. Use a tongue scraper, or simply brush your tongue if you need to. Follow up your brushing with a quality mouthwash; there are several good antibacterial and fluoride rinses available, which can work wonders to giving your teeth the extra edge they need.