You’ve been doing it since you were five. You switch to autopilot morning and night and get it done. But Beveridge Dental in San Jose CA has a question: are you doing it right?
We ask this in all seriousness. There is always room for improvement, even in something as basic as brushing your teeth.
Essential Dental Health
Brushing, after all, is an important part of any daily dental health routine. We recommend brushing your teeth twice a day, and with a soft-bristled toothbrush. We strongly recommend flossing, too. Before or after you brush? The jury remains out on that one. We think before is better, but the most important thing is that you do it.
Be sure to get all over your teeth: the front and the sides, inside and out, and the tops. When you do the sides, be sure you brush along the gum-line. Use a gentle touch, and hold the brush at a 45-degree angle.
As you do the front and side surfaces, move the brush in gentle, circular strokes.
Brushing
Use a pea-sized blob of fluoridated toothpaste – be sure to use enough!
Be sure the head of the toothbrush isn’t too big, especially if you have a smaller mouth. It needs to fit easily between your cheeks and gums. The handle is less important, but make sure it feels comfortable in your hand. Replace your toothbrush every three months, if not more often.
Tooth Massage
Plaque is soft and loose, so you don’t have to scrub very hard to remove it. Think of it not so much as brushing, but massaging your teeth and gums. With that in mind you should you be able to keep a light touch.
Finally, brush for at least two minutes. If you’re running late, and are tempted to cut it short, resist. If it helps, use a stopwatch. You’ve probably got one on your smart phone.
At Beveridge Dental in San Jose CA we want the best possible dental health for all of our patients. People come from North Laramie, Cheyenne, Greeley, and South Berthoud for complete family dentistry services. Contact us today!
Contact Beveridge Dental:
408-267-2303
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
Beveridge Dental
3535 Ross Ave Ste 300
San Jose, CA 95124Beveridge Dental
4860 Cherry Ave Ste A
San Jose, CA 95118
Ross Ave Cherry Ave