We all know brushing and flossing are vital to healthy teeth and gums. But do you know the proper way to brush and floss? How many times a day should you brush your teeth? Is there a proper way to brush your teeth?
Beavers and Broomfield Family Dentistry wants you to have healthy teeth and gums throughout your lifetime. We know that great oral health isn’t just about brushing but how you do it. Here are a few tips on getting the most out of brushing and flossing.
How Often Should You Brush Your Teeth?
How often should you brush your teeth? Once a day? Twice a day? After every meal? After meals and snacks? It can be confusing.
We recommend you brush twice a day — once in the morning and once at night, preferably just before bed. As for the morning, some prefer to brush their teeth before breakfast, while others wait until afterward. Either way is fine. The important thing is to brush your teeth twice a day!
Be sure to brush with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a good fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride strengthens your enamel and helps prevent cavities.
How Long Should You Brush Your Teeth?
Some people speed through brushing their teeth, while others seem to take their time to ensure they get every tooth. Which one are you?
You should brush your teeth for at least two minutes at a time. That’s about 30 seconds each for the top left, bottom left, top right, and bottom right teeth. Add an extra few seconds to brush your tongue!
How Should You Brush Your Teeth and Floss?
Before you brush, let’s talk about flossing. You need to floss your teeth with dental floss BEFORE you brush your teeth. That’s because the plaque and food particles that come out may end up on the surfaces of your teeth. If you brush afterward, you can remove that plaque.
You also should use dental floss to floss your teeth at least once a day. Water flossers such as a Waterpik are great as a supplement but lack the scrubbing power of dental floss. You can use them as a supplement later in the day or to get around braces and brackets.
Once you’ve flossed, it’s time to brush. Make sure you get every tooth. Start with the outside, move to the inside, then brush the top of the tooth.
Be sure to brush well along the gum line, where plaque can linger and become tartar.
Other Brushing Tips
Once you’ve brushed, don’t rinse your mouth with water because you will remove all the fluoride your toothpaste just provided. If you must rinse, use only about half a tablespoon of water.
Don’t eat or drink anything for about half an hour after you brush and floss. This gives the fluoride time to chemically react with your saliva and absorb into the enamel to strengthen it. After 30 minutes, you can eat, drink, or use a fluoride mouthwash for extra protection. Just wait 30 minutes after using the mouthwash to eat or drink so the fluoride has time to work.
Should you brush your tongue? Absolutely! Your tongue will be covered in bacteria that will make their way to your teeth after you brush. Brushing your tongue removes as much bacteria from your mouth as possible.
Brushing and Flossing in Fayetteville, AR
Brushing and flossing are vital to great oral health, which helps your overall health. It’s also important to see your dentist twice a year for professional teeth cleaning. Proper brushing and flossing between cleanings will keep your teeth healthy and strong.
If you’re ready for professional teeth cleaning in Fayetteville, AR, schedule an appointment with Beavers and Broomfield Family Dentistry. We’ll be happy to give you advice on the best ways to keep your mouth healthy!
