From an early age, we’ve been taught that brushing and flossing should be a regular part of every morning and everything night. These are habits that usually stick with us throughout our lives, and the methods we use to brush and floss are a part of the habit. And while it’s commendable – and health-conscious – to keep up with this habit, many of us can fall into a rut and cut corners.
If you visit your Vancouver dentist for regular checkups and cleanings, you’re probably reminded at each visit, of how to properly care for your teeth in between visits. And if your dentist or hygienist notices that you’re not doing as thorough a job as you used to, it’s likely that you’ve become a little bit lax in your brushing habits and techniques, and need to be reminded of how to avoid having to come back into the office for things that are much less pleasant than a simple checkup or cleaning…
Below are some of the most common mistakes people make, and tips for how to correct those mistakes.
Flossing First
Some people think that flossing after brushing is the best way to remove any lingering traces of food, but the fact is, flossing should always be the first step in your dental hygiene routine. Flossing will dislodge food from the nooks and crannies that might otherwise prevent access of the bristles of a toothbrush. Once these bits of food have been loosened or removed by the floss, your toothbrush can do its job.
Using the Right Toothbrush
Choosing the right toothbrush can be an overwhelming experience for anyone! One visit to the dental care aisle of your local store is enough to make you run for the hills! There are so many different brands, types, shapes, colors and styles of toothbrushes on the market these days, it’s no wonder some folks simply close their eyes and choose one randomly. Unfortunately, using the ‘divining rod’ technique of choosing a toothbrush can lead to a less than divine experience. The fact is, each person’s teeth are different, which is why there are so many options available. Use the following guidelines to choose the one that’s right for you:
- Size matters – if you have a smaller mouth and/or teeth, choosing a toothbrush with a smaller brush head and handle.
- If you have sensitive teeth and/or gums, it’s best to choose a medium or soft-bristled brush. Alternately, if you don’t have sensitivity, regular or hard-bristled brushes are a better option.
- Don’t let the commercials fool you – a good old fashioned manual toothbrush can be just as effective as those newfandangled electric spinning brushes. Why? It’s more about the brusher than the brush, meaning, even if you purchase the most expensive and powerful electric toothbrush, if you use it incorrectly, your teeth won’t be properly cleaned.
A note about electric toothbrushes – as dentists, we know that the use of these fancy toothbrushes can actually lead to unintentional laziness when it comes to a thorough brushing. Don’t worry, it’s not really your fault. Much of the advertising shown on TV and in magazines gives the impression the brush will do all the work for us. This isn’t true, and while an electric toothbrush might be able to do the job a little bit quicker, it’s still important to get into all the nooks and crannies just like you would with a manual brush. After all, an electric toothbrush is no more capable of getting in between teeth on its own than a manual brush is. It’s how you use it that counts.
Twice or Thrice Each Day?
There are differing opinions about how many times you should brush your teeth each day. Some say twice a day is adequate, while others preach three times. The bottom line is this – you should brush your teeth at least twice each day – once in the morning to clean up bacteria that has formed overnight, and once at night before bed, to clean up food particles left by a day’s worth of eating. If you find that an extra brushing after a particularly spicy meal is required in order to remove food particles and freshen your breath, it won’t cause any harm. But three times should be the maximum number for any 24 hour period. Otherwise, you run the risk of wearing down your tooth enamel.
It’s also important to note that each brushing session should take about two minutes – thirty seconds for each quadrant of teeth – top left, top right, bottom left, bottom right. Sometimes it can be hard to keep track of how much time is spent brushing. Most any cell phone these days has a built in timer app that you can use to get into the right habit. And one of the benefits of the newer electric toothbrushes, is built in timers.
Correct Pressure During Brushing
Regardless of what type of toothbrush you use, or how long you brush, using the correct amount of pressure is one of the keys to doing a good job. Use a light hand when brushing, and apply just enough pressure to remove plaque from the surfaces and corners of your teeth. Using too much pressure won’t clean between your teeth, and it could irritate your gums. If you’ve done a proper flossing first, your toothbrush should be able to clean the surfaces of your teeth without causing your gums to bleed.
Choosing the Right Toothpaste
As with the vast array of toothbrushes available today, there are a multitude of different brands and types of toothpaste to choose from. Much of the focus today is on the whitening and tartar removal abilities of a toothpaste. If you wish to use one of these toothpastes, we recommend alternating between it and a plain good old fashioned fluoride toothpaste, otherwise some of the harsher ingredients required to whiten and remove tarter might lead to tooth and gum sensitivity.
Summary
As you can see, with just a few corrections, you can ensure that your teeth are as clean as possible, and make your regular checkups and cleanings a pleasant experience. After all – anyone who’s ever heard their dentist say ‘no cavities’ after a checkup can tell you how much relief those two words can bring!
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