You’ve been doing it since you were five. You switch to autopilot morning and night and get it over with. But Centreville Dental Wellness Center in VA has a question: are you doing it right?
We ask this in all seriousness. There is always room for improvement, even in something as basic as brushing your teeth.
Essential Dental Health Tips
- We recommend brushing your teeth twice a day, and with a soft-bristled toothbrush. We strongly recommend flossing, too. Before or after you brush? The jury remains out on that one. We think before is better, but the most important thing is that you do it.
- Be sure to get all over your teeth: the front and the sides, inside and out, and the tops. When you do the sides, be sure you brush along the gum-line. Use a gentle touch, and hold the brush at a 45-degree angle.
- As you do the front and side surfaces, move the brush in gentle, circular strokes.
- Use a pea-sized blob of fluoridated toothpaste, or more than pea-sized, if you’re so inclined. Too much toothpaste is no big deal, but be sure to use enough.
- Be sure the head of the toothbrush isn’t too big, especially if you have a smaller mouth. It needs to fit easily between your cheeks and gums. The handle is less important. Make sure it feels comfortable in your hand. Replace your toothbrush every three months, if not more often.
- Plaque is soft and loose, so you don’t have to scrub very hard to remove it. Think of it not so much as brushing, but massaging your teeth and gums. With that in mind you should you be able to keep that light touch.
- Finally, brush for at least two minutes. If you’re running late, and are tempted to cut it short, resist. If it helps, use a stopwatch. You’ve probably got one on your smart phone.
At Centreville Dental Wellness Center in VA, we want the best possible dental health for all of our patients. We offer complete family dentistry services, and serve patients from Chantilly to Dulles Airport, as well as Western Fairfax, Manasses, Clifton, Gainesville, and Haymarket. Request an appointment today.
Contact Centreville Dental Wellness Center
703-815-0775
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
14245F Centreville Sq
Centreville, Virginia
20121
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