Do you know how to brush properly? Our Lynnwood Dentistry sees all too many patients who come in with excessive plaque buildup, diminished gum lines and outright tooth decay that could very easily have been avoided with the right brushing habits. If you need a refresher course on the recommended tooth brushing routine, try reading through our easy-to-follow points below:
- Keep a schedule of twice a day, two minutes at a time. It is best to plan your brushing before you go to bed and after you wake up, as your mouth is less able to defend against bacteria as you sleep.
- Floss at least once a day. If you are flossing, do so before you begin to brush.
- Don’t brush directly after eating! Acids in your food can weaken your tooth enamel, and it needs time to recover or else it can be stripped away by your brush.
- Brush in a circular motion, with the brush held at a forty-five degree angle with your teeth so as to gently massage the gums. Don’t scrub your gums too hard, or you can break them down.
- Remember to brush your tongue. Plaque can build up there as easily as on your teeth.
