Brushing And Flossing Will Let You Keep Your Beautiful Smile
If you are worried about your teeth because you have always had dental problems, there are a lot of things that you can do that will help to maintain your oral health and to make sure that you have the smile that you have always wanted to.
Floss Daily
Some dentists say that you don't have to floss all your teeth, just the ones that you want to keep. The primary goal of flossing is to get rid of all the bacteria and gunk that gathers in between your teeth and around your gums. One of its biggest benefits is that it will help to prevent gingivitis or help keep it from getting worse if you already have it. It doesn't matter if you use waxed, unwaxed, flavored, or plain floss, tape, or picks. The important thing is that you floss. If you do have some sensory issues that make it hard for you to deal with flossing, you may want to talk to your dentist about using a water pick instead.
Brush Long Enough
It's not just enough that you brush your teeth twice every day — you also have to make sure that you are brushing long enough. For most people, that's about two minutes, but you may feel like you want to go longer, especially if you are brushing your tongue and roof of your mouth as well. Instead of having to worry about keeping a timer next to you in the bathroom to make sure that you are brushing long enough, an easy rule of thumb is to sing the happy birthday song or the ABCs twice in two minutes. If you have a young child who you are trying to teach how to brush their teeth well enough or long enough, singing can make it easier for them to get all the way through without getting frustrated or wanting to stop.
While you are brushing, make sure that you are brushing the front, back, and top surfaces of all your teeth. Your dentist may suggest that you floss before you brush so that you are getting rid of any debris, but in reality, it doesn't matter if you brush first or floss first, as long as you are doing it. You should also finish with a good mouthwash that includes fluoride to make that you are getting the best protection possible.
These two simple things, as well as seeing your dentist at least twice a year, will help to make sure that your oral health and your teeth stay in good shape.