Brushing Up on Healthy Teeth with your South End of Boston Dentists

Basic oral hygiene is pretty simple, brush and floss twice a day and make sure to have routine cleanings and checkups with your South End of Boston dentists at least every six months at Tremont Dental Care.? What most people don’t know is that there are things we aren’t (or are) doing every day that we should (or shouldn’t) be.? Here are some basic steps to keeping your smile white, bright, and healthy

1. You don’t need to brush and floss after every meal.

Brushing after you finish eating won’t hurt your oral hygiene, but it is not always necessary.? As long as you brush with fluoride toothpaste twice a day and floss at least once a day you should maintain your excellent oral health

2. Brushing your teeth with an up-and-down or side-to-side motion is NOT the best way to clean your teeth.

The best brushing technique is called the Bass Technique.? It is better to move your brush in a circular motion, this allows for the brush to remove plaque and then sweep it away (instead of lodging it in another crevice).? Holding your brush at a forty-five-degree angle against the gum line is the best way to promote gum health.

3. You cannot floss your teeth by simply putting the floss between your teeth and pulling it through.

Proper flossing requires you to press the floss right against each side of every tooth and sliding the floss up to the top and then down past the gum line.? Many people miss plaque below the gum line so make sure to take your time on each tooth.

4. Electric toothbrushes clean your teeth better than manual brushes.

Even though both manual and electric toothbrushes can clean your teeth well, an electric toothbrush makes the job more efficient and easier.? The best results come to patients who are diligent with their home care and take their time to brush and floss each day.? Switching to an electric toothbrush won’t magically improve your oral health, but the timers and different settings will make you more accountable and help you not rush through your home care.

5. Brushing too much will not harm your gums.

When patients’ gums are sore from brushing or flossing (perhaps from not being consistent) some think it is better to avoid that area until the swelling or bleeding is gone.? This is simply not true.? Those sites are inflamed because there are bacteria in that area.? Continuing to brush and floss is always the best recommendation.? However, if the area does not repair itself after an extended period you should have your dentist take a look.

6. If your parents lost all their teeth to tooth decay or gum disease, your fate may be different.

Some dental conditions may run in your family but dental disease is one of the only diseases that can be totally preventable.? As long as you actively pursue a healthy lifestyle, stay committed to good oral hygiene, and see your hygienist and dentist twice a year at Tremont Dental Care you will have a great chance of protecting your teeth and gums!