Is brushing your teeth an important part of maintaining a healthy oral cavity? It certainly is, but your dentist in New Braunfels says it has to be done correctly to get the full benefits. How do you accomplish that? As you read on, you’ll learn some simple adjustments that can be made to ensure your teeth are as clean as possible and prevent the problems that can arise from poor oral hygiene.
What Does Brushing Your Teeth Accomplish?
Here are the main factors that go into brushing your teeth:
- The Toothpaste – There are a host of different types of toothpaste available that will address specific oral care needs, whether it’s to whiten teeth or treat gum disease. For the most part, though, it serves as an abrasive that helps to free food particles and bacteria that cling to your digits while also strengthening and protecting them.
- The Toothbrush – The purpose of the toothbrush is to provide the agitation needed to free the debris on your teeth and around your mouth.
The combination of the two components plays a major role in cleaning your oral cavity.
Your Brushing Techniques Matter
One of the challenges people face when brushing their teeth is coverage. It’s easier to focus on the front-facing surface of the teeth because they are more visible; however, to get the full benefits, the digits must be brushed with a 360-degree approach.
That means that you have to brush the front, chewing and inner-facing surfaces. To be successful requires a certain degree of dexterity and flexibility because the toothbrush will need to be moved at different angles.
How to Execute
Here are the proper ways to brush the different surfaces:
- Front-Facing Surface – When brushing the front of your teeth, hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle away from your gums. This helps to prevent irritation.
- Chewing Surface – Clean the chewing surface holding the brush flat while moving gently back-and-forth.
- Inner Surface – When you get to the inner area, hold the toothbrush vertically to provide for the best coverage and safest execution.
Additionally, it’s better to use a toothbrush with softer bristles. This will allow you to clean your teeth properly with less chance of irritating your gums.
It’s About More Than Just Teeth
A final point to remember is that your oral hygiene is about more than just your teeth. Thus, you should take your toothbrush and also gently clean your inner jaw, the roof of your mouth and glide across your tongue. These activities will help to remove more bacteria and maximize your efforts.
Applying what you’ve learned here will go a long way toward solidifying your oral health for years to come. Another important step you can take is to visit your family dentist in New Braunfels for preventive care semi-annually. Reach out to schedule your first visit today!
About the Author
Dr. David Earnest earned his dental degree from the University of Texas. Since then, he’s gone on to provide the residents of New Braunfels with the absolute best in oral care. To stay abreast of the ever-dynamic world of dentistry, he pursues continuing education annually while maintaining membership in several professional organizations. Dr. Earnest practices at Comal Dental and can be reached for more information through his website.