Improve Your Brushing and Flossing with These Tips

Most people know they should brush and floss their teeth twice a day. However, there is much more you can do to improve your oral health. Follow these simple tips to improve your brushing, flossing, and oral wellness.

Embrace Fluoride

Fluoride has developed an undeserved negative reputation online. Although consuming immense quantities of this mineral can lead to discoloration of the teeth, the amount found in toothpaste, mouthwash, and dental treatments is actually beneficial for your smile.

To improve the quality of your brushing, switch to a fluoridated toothpaste and wait before rinsing out your mouth. This allows the fluoride to penetrate the enamel and begin to rebuild sections that have started to decay.

A fluoridated mouthwash has a similar effect and can also kill bacteria left behind.

Change Your Brush

How old is your toothbrush? Three months? Six months? An entire year?

The majority of professional dental associations recommend switching to a new toothbrush after 3 to 4 months. This is because the bristles wear down rapidly and become less effective over time. Bacteria also builds upon the head of the brush and can be spread back into your mouth, increasing your chances of oral infections.

Use a Soft Brush

Modern toothbrushes come with a variety of bristle textures and levels of firmness. Although it can be tempting to use a hard-bristled brush, a soft-bristled one is better.

Why?

Hard bristles can actually chip away at the protective enamel of the teeth, leaving microscopic scratches and pits where bacteria can hide. Over time, you can seriously damage your teeth and have a greater risk of developing tooth decay.

Brush Softly

Just as you should use a soft-bristled brush, you should also brush softly. When you use too much force, you can injure your gums and damage your teeth. This produces a broad range of negative symptoms, including oral bleeding, receding gums, an increased risk of oral infection, and damage to the dental enamel.

If you have any questions or concerns about how you can improve your oral hygiene, visit us today at Montebello Dental Clinic in Salmon Arm, BC.