Removing stray bits of food and dental plaque – a sticky, clear bacterial biofilm perpetually coating your teeth which seemingly pops up overnight – is needed to disrupt plaque formation before it can harden into tartar or calculus. You help do this every time you brush your teeth! Here are some goals to strive for when practicing your daily oral hygiene routine.

How You Brush Matters

You want to brush your teeth twice a day, preferably when you wake up in the morning and again at bedtime. You want to brush gently to avoid wearing down tooth enamel or damaging vital gum tissue. Tilt your toothbrush over a few teeth at the bottom where they meet your gum tissue and brush in a circular motion 4-5 times for each set of teeth, cleaning the sides and tops of each tooth. If you scour your teeth your tooth enamel will pay the price, wearing it down to expose the sensitive dentin layer and nerves below it. The last thing you want is tooth sensitivity or receding gums! Brush from two to four minutes each time you brush, cleaning the upper right and left side of your mouth and the bottom right and left side. Carefully brush the outside and inside areas of each tooth surface. 

Best Toothbrush and Toothpaste

Make sure your toothbrush head fits comfortably to easily maneuver in your mouth. Finding the best size and shape of a toothbrush so it can comfortably fit is key. The brush head shouldn’t be too big and the handle should be easy to grip. Soft bristles will protect your tooth enamel and gum tissue. Pair your toothbrush with fluoridated toothpaste to strengthen your tooth enamel. You don’t need to use much toothpaste, just a pea-sized amount will do the job perfectly!

Flossing Tool You’ll Love

It’s not so much which flossing tool works best as it is finding one you will feel comfortable using so you will want to use it every day! That’s important because your toothbrush can’t clean plaque and food particles between the teeth and gumline, but flossing tools can. Just floss carefully where your teeth meet your gums that it is comfortable and easy for you to maneuver. 

Start out the new year by showing your teeth and gums some love every day and your smile will thrive! Our Family Dentistry of Frisco dentist,  Dr. Paresh B. Patel and our team are happy to help you with all your oral health needs. Call us with your questions or to schedule your next dental appointment in Frisco, Texas, at (469) 362-3150. Your smile deserves the best care! 

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