… Bad habits can be hard to break.
Proper oral hygiene definitely falls into the “good” category. Knowing its benefits – a bright smile, and potential tremendous savings in pain and expense – brushing and flossing hopefully isn’t too difficult of a habit to learn.
Still, learning a good habit is one thing. Learning it correctly can be quite another.
Brushing teeth, for example, isn’t just scrubbing inside one’s mouth. Good tools and technique are essential to getting teeth clean. Gum health comes into play, too.
Using fluoride toothpaste is a smart start. Fluoride helps protect teeth from decay. Wondering if you’ve got the right stuff? Look for the American Dental Association Seal on the package.
Recent years have seen an avalanche of new specialty toothpastes for different conditions (such as sensitivity) or purposes (whitening). The ADA Seal is a reliable indicator of which ones to use.
A soft brush is important for brushing teeth, as is a soft touch. Brushing too hard or vigorously can harm gums. If gums are bleeding, or toothbrushes get worn down quickly, dial back the enthusiasm a bit. Food particles on teeth that are brushed regularly – as Dr. Hoffmann hopes yours are – tend to be loose and are removed easily.
Thorough tooth-brushing should take two minutes. Don’t forget to clean the entire area of all teeth – outside surface, chewing surface and inside surface – with a gentle vertical sweeping motion. Use an up-and-down stroke on the inside surfaces of front teeth.
The tongue can be a breeding ground for bacteria and bad breath. Brushing its surface helps complete the freshening and cleaning process for your entire mouth.
Given the number of meals and snacks that most people consume, brushing twice a day is highly recommended. Staying ahead of plaque buildup prevents many, many problems later. An objective observer might even say that diligence in brushing teeth is an easy habit to fall into.
