Flossing and brushing are essential for good oral hygiene.  Despite the fact that biannual dental cleanings performed by professionals remove tartar, plaque, and debris, outstanding homecare methods are just as beneficial.  Proper cleansing and flossing can improve oral health, brighten the smile, and prevent severe diseases. Please consult a Gulf Breeze family dentist if you have concerns about the proper method to brush or floss.

How to Properly Brush?

Ideally, the teeth should be brushed twice daily, in the morning and before night. The ideal toothbrush has small, gentle bristles with rounded tips, no older than three months. The brush’s head should be tiny enough to reach all areas of the mouth. Also, ensure that bristles should be soft enough to avoid damaging the gum tissue.  The American Dental Association (ADA) has certified that electric toothbrushes with rotating or oscillating blades are more effective than conventional toothbrushes.

Here is a fundamental guide to brushing your teeth:

• Position the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle at the gum-tooth junction.
• Gently exfoliate the gumline and teeth using small circular motions.
• Do not scrub or apply excessive force to the teeth, as doing so can cause injury to the gums and tooth enamel.
• Clean every surface of each tooth, including the cheek, tongue, and chewing surfaces. Pay particular attention to the surfaces of the rear teeth.
• Use back-and-forth brushing motions to clean the gnawing surfaces.
• The tongue should be brushed to remove fungi, food, and detritus.

How to Properly Floss?

Flossing can effectively remove plaque from the interdental regions (between the teeth).  Flossing is a particularly effective method when it comes to avoiding periodontal disease and minimizing the depth of gingival pockets.  The interdental spaces are hard to reach with a brush and should be cleaned daily with dental floss.  The flavor and sort of floss are irrelevant; choose floss that is simple and enjoyable to use.

Here is a simple guide to flossing:

• Cut a length of floss for 18 inches long approximately.
• Wrap one of the ends of the floss about the middle finger of the left hand and wrap the other end about the middle finger of the right hand up until the distance between the hands is approximately two to three inches.
• Gently maneuver the floss between the teeth towards the gingival line.
• C-curve the floss around each tooth and gingerly slide it beneath the gum line.
• Slide the floss up and down repeatedly to remove plaque and detritus from between the teeth.
• This will cause the gums to inflame and bleed, so avoid doing so.