Our Oral Health Guide: How to Brush & Floss Your Teeth

Good oral hygiene can make a difference in keeping your teeth healthy and strong because doing so maintains your oral function and fosters your overall oral health. The chances are that your oral habits include brushing and flossing your teeth every day. Unfortunately, some people tend to skip these practices for a handful of reasons. Even if they do them, they tend to do so improperly or without using the right tools and solutions.

If you want to maintain your teeth’s health, here’s how to brush and floss your teeth effectively:

1. Brushing your teeth

Keep in mind that oral health starts with cleaning your teeth daily, and the basic step to take is to brush your teeth. Brushing helps to get rid of food particles stuck in between your teeth and stops plaque buildup. Likewise, doing so consistently and properly after every meal will prevent tooth decay and gum diseases. However, there are a few necessary steps you must consider when brushing your teeth, such as:

• Frequency: Be sure to brush your teeth at least twice a day. In fact, some dental experts even recommend that you do so after every meal.

• Duration: The rule of thumb is to brush your teeth thoroughly for about two minutes. Be sure to brush the outside, inside, and chewing parts of your teeth, as well as your tongue.

• Technique: Hold your toothbrush at a slight angle and gently brush with a circular, back-and-forth motion. Also, aim the bristles towards the part where your tooth meets your gum, and avoid harsh brushing.

• Tools and products: As far as the tool is concerned, opt for a soft-bristled toothbrush that fits your mouth comfortably. When it comes to the product, choose quality fluoride toothpaste. Likewise, you must always keep your toothbrush clean and change it every three months to avoid dirt buildup.

2. Flossing for your teeth

When it comes to basic teeth cleaning, flossing usually comes next to brushing. After thorough brushing, flossing will allow you to reach the bacteria in the tight spaces between your teeth and under the gum line. Take note of the following details:

• Dental floss: Use only high-quality dental floss that’s readily available in the market.

• Preparation: Break off about 18 inches of dental floss, wind it around the middle finger on one hand and the rest around the middle finger on the other hand. Then, take hold of it tightly between your thumbs and forefingers.

• Application: Take one tooth at a time by sliding the floss gently into the space between your gum and tooth in an up-and-down motion.

• Other alternatives: If you aren’t comfortable using dental floss, use other products like a dental pick, pre-threaded flosser, a water flosser, or wooden or silicone wedge plaque remover.

3. Other vital oral habits

Besides practicing brushing and flossing, here are other oral habits you must always keep in mind:

• Visit your dentist regularly and have a dental cleaning every six months.
• Quit smoking as it can stain your teeth.
• Avoid sweets and starchy foods, and acidic beverages like soda, tea, and coffee.
• Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables to fight off bacteria and inflammation.
• Drink beverages rich in calcium like milk to keep your teeth strong and healthy.

Conclusion

Brushing and flossing are basic oral habits that you must not take for granted. As such, be sure to consider all the valuable information and follow the tips and steps mentioned above. All these will help promote your overall oral health and give you the perfect smile you deserve!

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