Brushing and Flossing Techniques from Shreveport’s Dentist
Brush Up on Your Tooth Brushing and Flossing Techniques for Better Dental Health
The secret to great dental health is boring: regular and proper brushing and flossing.
Barring conditions and dental abnormalities, all you really need to do is to remember to brush and floss, and remember how to do it well. Of course, proper brushing and flossing techniques are underrated. Even when people remember to take a few minutes to brush and floss, they can just as easily forget to do it properly and thoroughly.
Tooth Brushing Like a Pro
Tooth brushing: the standard of dental hygiene. Unfortunately, people easily forget how to properly brush and sometimes they forget to brush entirely.
The basics: Always brush your teeth at least twice a day. When you do, don’t rush. Be thorough. Only use the proper equipment: a soft-bristled toothbrush that is comfortable to use. If you really want to go pro on the tooth brushing, electric toothbrushes are more effective than manual brushing in preventing mild forms of gum disease as well as plaque buildup. It works wonders, too, for people who have arthritis or other difficulties with the motor functions used to brush their teeth.
The technique: The key is to aim the bristles of your toothbrush right at the point where the teeth and gums meet. Use short motions going back and forth, and brush the outside, inside, and chewing surfaces of your teeth. Get your tongue, too.
Flossing like a Champ
Flossing takes a bit more style than brushing, and also requires much more restraint and careful handling. Improper flossing can lead to tooth damage and bleeding gums.
The basics: You’ll want to break off about 18 inches or 46 centimeters of floss. Use both your middle fingers as end posts where you wind most of the dental floss. Use your forefingers and thumbs to tightly grip the part of the floss you’ll be using.
The technique: The dental floss goes into the gap between your teeth. Use sliding motions to gently rub the side of your teeth upwards and downwards. Unwind fresh dental floss as you progress to other teeth. The key is to not snap the floss onto your gums; when you reach your gumline, curve the dental floss against one tooth.
Flossing is trickier than brushing. If you think flossing isn’t your cup of tea, there are interdental cleaners available:
- Dental picks
- Water flossers
- Silicone or wooden plaque removers
- Pre-threaded flossers
Do a good job on both, and remember that it doesn’t really matter if you brush or floss first.
It seems so fundamental, but it bears repeating: The only requirement of great dental hygiene is regular brushing and flossing, and a proper brushing and flossing technique. If you need to schedule an appointment, call Dr. Ben Kacos at Shreveport Dental today!
