In this post, the dentists at the Center for Dental Anesthesia in Alexandria VA examine some specifics about brushing your teeth. It should be a very straight-forward process, but like so many things, there is always room for improvement.
One key to activating the value of toothpastes is creating foam when thoroughly brushing. Working up a good foam is achieved by pre-wetting the toothbrush, then attacking at a 45 rather than 90 degree angle.
The foaming assists in dislodging food debris from nooks and crannies in the mouth. Go ahead and swish it around at the completion of brushing to pick up any stragglers. The abrasives in toothpaste are designed to polish the teeth without damaging the enamel.
Because of the abrasives, soft toothbrushes are best for proper brushing. Harder bristles can put the enamel and gum line at risk. When the gum line recedes from aggressive brushing (or any other cause) a patient may experience tooth pain, increased build-up and decay, tooth structure weakening, and in severe cases, tooth loss.
The fluoride in the toothpaste promotes remineralization when the paste has been rubbed around on all surfaces of all teeth in the entire mouth. This takes time so be sure you brush for at least 2-3 minutes.
In addition, remember that flossing is essential and rounds out the 5 minutes each day to give you healthy, pain-free chewing for years and years to come.
The Center for Dental Anesthesia in Alexandria VA promotes dental health. Services include family and cosmetic dentistry. Schedule an appointment with us today.
Contact Center for Dental Anesthesia:
703-379-6400
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
5284 Dawes Ave
Alexandria, Virginia
22311
