subject: Establish Proper Brushing And Flossing Techniques To Ensure A Healthy Smile [print this page] Maintaining good dental health should be a priority at all stages of your life. Not only are healthy teeth and gums beneficial for improving our smiles, but they are also important to our overall health. By practicing daily dental care, you can prevent tooth decay and gum disease, which may contribute to many serious conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, respiratory diseases, and premature and low weight babies.
Proper Brushing Techniques
The following brushing basics from the American Dental Association can help you keep your teeth in great health.
*Brush at least twice a day, especially after meals and before bed.
*Soft-bristled brushes are recommended for thorough, gentle cleansing of the teeth and soft tissues of the mouth.
*Brush lightly. Brushing too hard can damage your gums.
*Brush with a fluoride toothpaste- it's best for fighting plaque and cavities.
*Brush for at least 2 minutes, ensuring you reach all surfaces of each of your teeth.
*Use short, back-and-forth motions to clean the inside and outside surfaces of the teeth, as well as the chewing surfaces and areas around fillings, crowns or other restoration.
*Brush at an angle gently along the gum line to prevent gum disease.
*Remember to brush your tongue to remove bacteria and reduce bad breath.
*Follow brushing with a fluoride mouth rinse for added protection and fresh breath.
*Floss daily to remove debris from hard to reach areas and along the gum line.
*Replace your toothbrush as soon as it becomes worn or at least every 3-4 months.
Practice Proper Flossing
Flossing is an essential part of the tooth-cleaning process because it removes plaque from between teeth and along the gum line, where periodontal disease often begins. Plaque irritates the gums, and when not removed from in between the teeth with dental floss, the gums may start to pull away from the teeth. With continuous plaque build-up, bacteria can form causing the bone that supports the teeth to deteriorate.
Many people avoid flossing because it results in bleeding of the gums. What most people don't know, however, is that it's actually normal for gums to bleed. In fact, it means you should floss more often! Get in the habit of flossing regularly. The bleeding will typically stop as your gums become healthier.
Flossing Tips from the American Dental Association:
*Break off about 18 inches of floss and wind most of it around one of your middle fingers. Wind the remaining floss around the same finger of the opposite hand. This finger will take up the floss as it becomes dirty. Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers.
*Guide the floss between your teeth using a gentle rubbing motion. Never snap the floss into the gums.
*When the floss reaches the gum line, curve it into a C shape against one tooth. Gently slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth.
*Hold the floss tightly against the tooth. Gently rub the side of the tooth, moving the floss away from the gum with up and down motions.
*Repeat this method on the rest of your teeth.
*Don't forget the backside of your last tooth.
Ask your dentist in Noblesville about tips for flossing at your next cleaning. A simple, tutorial can help you keep your teeth looking and feeling great.
Visiting your family dentist in Noblesville for routine check ups and cleanings is essential for maintaining healthy teeth and gums. A professional dentist has the expertise and technology necessary to make sure your teeth and gums are healthy, and can detect problems that are not visible just by looking in the mirror, like cavities and gingivitis. The dentist will also screen for signs of oral cancer, which is treatable if detected early.
