Toothbrushing Tips from a General Dentist

Our general dentist wants you to know brushing is one of the most important things you can do to safeguard your oral health. Oral bacteria converts leftover food particles that are left on teeth surfaces into acids that eat away at teeth enamel. Over time, this leads to the formation of small holes on teeth surfaces called cavities. Absent treatment, these cavities expand until they reach the pulp chamber, leaving the nerve or blood vessels there vulnerable to infection. Tooth decay will continue to eat at a tooth if left untreated and it might eventually create a need for the tooth to be extracted.

Our general dentist share tooth brushing tips

Here are some tips from our general dentist that will help you to improve your brushing routine:

• Brush at least two times a day with a soft toothbrush. The toothbrush should fit in your mouth and easily reach all areas. Brushing twice a day significantly reduces the damage oral bacteria can cause on teeth.
• Brush before going to bed. Saliva production is reduced during sleep and that reduces the protection teeth have since saliva helps to keep teeth surfaces clean. Brushing before going to bed removes plaque and bacteria that have built up on teeth during the day and prevents them from wreaking havoc while a person sleeps.
• Replace toothbrushes every three months. A toothbrush should be replaced when the bristles become frayed. A worn toothbrush will not be as effective at removing plaque and bacteria from teeth surfaces.
• Use a toothpaste that contains fluoride. Fluoride helps to re-mineralize teeth enamel and it protects teeth against tooth decay. Dentists recommend using oral hygiene products that are infused with fluoride.

How a person brushes their teeth also determines how effective their brushing sessions are. Proper brushing technique includes:

• The toothbrush should be placed at a 45-degree angle to the gums. This helps to remove plaque at the areas where the gums and teeth meet
• The toothbrush should be moved back and forth using soft, gentle strokes
• Brush the front, back and chewing surfaces of teeth during each brushing session
• Use a dental dye to pinpoint areas your brushing technique is prone to missing
• Spend at least two minutes brushing teeth during each session
• Complement brushing sessions by flossing at least once daily. Bacteria and food particles can get stuck between teeth and the bristles of a toothbrush cannot reach these spaces. Flossing once each day helps to keep these spaces clean. Not flossing leaves teeth vulnerable to decay
• Use a mouthwash to clean areas brushing and flossing miss

Our general dentist is here to help

Practicing good oral hygiene is not the only way to protect teeth against tooth decay and gum disease. Dentists also perform preventative treatments like fluoride treatments and dental sealants that can help to reduce the effects of oral bacteria on teeth. Request an appointment here: https://buforddentist.com or call North Atlanta Center for Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry at (770) 932-1115 for an appointment in our Buford office.

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