You've always been told by your dentist that brushing your teeth is key to an effective dental hygiene routine. But how do you know if you're doing it correctly?
Starting at a young age, patients are informed by their dentists about the importance of making brushing their teeth an integral part of their dental hygiene routine.
Apart from a beautiful smile, following this advice will:
- Prevent gum disease
- Help you maintain fresh breath
- Remove teeth stains
- Reduce your chances of getting a heart attack or stroke
- Save you money on your dental bills in the long run
At Marlborough Dental Centre, our dedicated team of North Calgary dentists and hygienists offer comprehensive dental hygiene services from in-office teeth cleanings to regular checkups to help you and your family maintain a healthy, beautiful smile for life.
How to Brush Your Teeth Properly
Dentists and hygienists always stress the importance of brushing your teeth daily because it removes debris and plaque from the surfaces of teeth and gums, keeping them healthy. However, effective removal of plaque depends highly on using the correct brushing technique.
When incorporating daily brushing into your dental hygiene routine, here are some things you should keep in mind:
Choose The Right Brush
Always use a soft or ultra-soft toothbrush
- Softer bristles are more effective at cleaning the gum line and more gentle on the gum tissues at the same time.
- Soft toothbrushes reduce gum recession and toothbrush abrasion
- Harder bristles can wear away your tooth enamel and dentin, weakening the crowns of your teeth
Brushing Guide
Next time you make an appointment with your local Calgary dentist or hygienist, make sure to discuss with them correct brushing techniques. A dental hygiene professional will be able to inform you on best brushing practices to keep your mouth and teeth healthy.
Here are some tips on how to brush correctly:
- Hold the toothbrush handle in your palm, keeping your thumb against the handle. It should be close enough to the head of the toothbrush so you can manipulate it with control.
- Direct the bristles towards your gums at a 45 degree angle to the tooth. Be sure to place the toothbrush partly on the tooth surface and partly on the gum.
- Move the bristles slowly from the gums to the top of the tooth in a repeated motion, counting slowly to ten as you do this.
- Make sure to move in a CIRCULAR MOTION not side to side.
- Spend at least 3 minutes brushing.
- It helps to divide your mouth into quadrants and spend an equal amount of time on each one. That way, you won’t miss any spots.
- Be sure to brush the tops and backs of your teeth as well as the front. Remember ti brush your tongue too!
- Rinse your mouth thoroughly after brushing
Consider an Electric Toothbrush
Dentists often recommend electric toothbrushes to their patients as a good alternative to manual brushes, especially if the patient has physical limitations that affects their ability to brush.
An electric toothbrush can benefit your dental hygiene routine in the following ways:
- It’s rotating head features bristles which can reach further than a manual toothbrush
- Reduces the level of gingivitis and plaque more effectively
- Electric toothbrushes apply the correct amount of pressure on your teeth to ensure they are thoroughly cleaned without damaging your gums
- They are easier for children and seniors to use
Importance of Regular Dental Cleanings
Even if you brush and floss daily, it’s very important to schedule a professional dental cleaning every 6 months with your dental hygienist. Some of the reasons you should get your teeth cleaned professionally include:
1. To prevent gum disease
Gum disease is a serious oral condition in which the tissues surrounding your teeth become infected. It is one of the major causes of bone loss if left untreated. Regular visits to your dental hygienist and good oral home care are the main factors in preventing gum disease.
2. Oral cancer detection
Early detection of oral cancer is very important in improving the prognosis of cancer. When you have a professional dental cleaning, your hygienist will screen you for oral cancer.
3. Helps you maintain good oral health care
Regular visits to your dentist and professional cleanings will help them follow your oral health and compare with previous results and, if you fall off track, your hygienist can put you back on the right dental hygiene routine.
During these visits both your dentist and hygienist will look closely for any signs of problems with your teeth and gums. When detected earlier, such problems are a lot easier and less expensive to treat.
4. Helps you maintain good overall health
A link has been shown between poor dental hygiene and chronic inflammatory diseases including diabetes and cardiovascular problems including strokes. Regular dental cleanings will help keep your teeth and gums healthy and also assist in the management of these other problems.
Call Today
To find out more about our comprehensive dental cleaning services, or to know how our NW Calgary dentists & hygienists can help keep your mouth, gums and teeth healthy, contact our dental clinic at 403-248-2066 or fill in our online contact form.
