Should you be satisfied with your current oral hygiene regimen, or is there room for improvement in your routine? One thing to consider if you are evaluating your habits is how long you tend to spend on brushing your teeth. To make sure you enjoy a thorough cleaning, you should spend at least two minutes on this task. By doing so, you can effectively clean every tooth and prevent the buildup of plaque and tartar. Of course, thorough brushing is just one of several behaviors that can help you avoid problems with your smile over time. Our Charles City, IA dentist’s office has helped many patients protect themselves against oral health issues through regular dental exams, and through tips and guidance to improve their daily care routine.
Don’t Rush When You Brush!
One easy mistake to avoid is rushing through brushing your teeth. If you are moving through this task too quickly, you can fail to fully address certain areas of your smile, which can lead to the accumulation of plaque and tartar. If you want to determine how thorough you are when cleaning your smile, use a timer to keep you committed to brushing until two minutes have passed. If this feels like an unusually long brushing session, your habits may be less thorough than you realized!
Other Common Mistakes People Make While Brushing
What else can you do to make sure you are brushing effectively? While a soft-bristle brush is effective at removing harmful bacteria and food particles, the bristles become less useful as they wear down. Replacing a toothbrush after three months – or as soon as bristles appear to be in poor condition – can be important. You should also be careful not to brush aggressively. Too much effort can lead to premature wear and tear, which can result in greater cavity risks. The weakening of your enamel can also make you more vulnerable to a buildup of teeth stains.
Additional Tips To Help You Maintain A Healthy And Lovely Smile
If you brush for at least two minutes, you can have an easier time fully protecting your smile from potential cavities, as well as gum disease. With that said, you can struggle to protect the spaces between your teeth if you do not floss as well. Flossing once a day helps you stay safe against problems that might require dental fillings or dental crowns, as you can fight bacteria buildup in spaces that are hard to clean with a toothbrush. You should also remember to stick to a smart, smile-friendly diet that is lower in sugars if you want to stay cavity-free.
Your Charles City, IA Dentist’s Office Helps Patients Practice Effective Smile Care
At our Charles City, IA dentist’s office, we have helped many patients develop better oral health habits at home by offering guidance during their routine dental exams. To find out more about us and our services, you can call Central Park Dentistry at (641) 228-1115.
