In order to properly care for your smile, you need to clean it each and every day. Generally, brushing twice a day and flossing once a day can do the trick—but only if you have the right brushing and flossing techniques. To help you make sure you’re properly cleaning your smile, our Republic Dental dental team is happy to provide the following brushing and flossing instructions:
Brushing
Step 1: Make sure you have the best tools possible, like a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. The brush will thoroughly clean your smile and care for your gums while the fluoride will penetrate your tooth enamel and strengthen your teeth.
Step 2: Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gumline and use just enough pressure to feel the bristles against your gums and between your teeth. Make sure you don’t squish the bristles.
Step 3: Brush the inner, outer, and top surfaces of each tooth with a gentle circular and scrubbing motion. Make sure to brush along the gumline and scrub your smile for at least two minutes twice a day.
Step 4: Once you are done brushing, scrub your tongue for a clean, fresh breath.
Flossing
Step 1: Get about 18 inches of floss and wind most of it around one of your middle fingers and then wind the rest of the floss on the same finger on the opposite hand. Hold about one inch of floss between both of your index fingers with very little slack.
Step 2: Use that inch of floss to glide between your teeth in a gentle sawing motion. Make sure to clean both sides of the crevice, removing the plaque and food particles that reside there.
Step 3: When you reach the gumline, gently curve the floss into a “C” shape and clean between the gums and bottom of the tooth. Make sure to be gentle as you do so. This step is crucial for helping your gums remain free from gum disease.
Step 4: Once you’re done cleaning along the gumline, remove the floss from the crevice and move onto the next tooth. Make sure to use a clean section of floss for each space in your smile. If your gums feel sore or if they bleed, remember that it’s because you need to floss more regularly and it’ll take about 5-6 days for your gums to become used to the task of flossing.
For additional cleaning and a fresher breath, feel free to rinse your mouth once a day with a beneficial mouthwash. To learn more about oral hygiene in Pleasanton, TX, please call our office at 830-268-4447 and schedule an appointment. Dr. Espino and our dental team will be happy to help you!
