Improve Your Brushing and Flossing with These Simple Tips
Our team at Olive Street Dental is passionate about educating our patients about at-home oral health care. Dr. Amanpreet Kaur Sodhi wants you to have a healthy, white smile for your whole life. As children, we learn how to brush and floss, but many adults don’t keep up this habit as well as they should.
Maintaining your oral health will help safeguard against harm, deterioration, the buildup of plaque, and more. Effective oral hygiene practices can also serve as a preventative measure against more severe conditions, including oral cancer and gum disease. Here are Olive Street Dental’s top tips to improve your brushing and flossing habits.
Change Your Toothbrush Regularly
New patients we see have often never been told they’re supposed to change their toothbrush regularly. Just like anything else we use, toothbrushes get worn down. It’s a good practice to replace your toothbrush with a new one every three months. Dr. Amanpreet Kaur Sodhi suggests using a toothbrush with soft, rounded bristles or a gentle electric toothbrush. If you or someone in your home has been sick, it’s best to replace it then as well.
Use the Right Toothpaste
Going to the store to pick up toothpaste can be overwhelming. There are so many options to choose from, how do you know which one is best for you? Surprisingly, to some, the brand doesn’t matter as much as the active ingredients. Adults should look for a toothpaste containing fluoride. This will strengthen enamel and prevent further decay.
Having a Brushing and Flossing Schedule
We’re all told as kids to brush and floss twice a day. This still holds true as adults. Each brushing session should be around two minutes long. It’s best to brush in the morning when you wake up, as well as right before bed. If you struggle with this, brush at any point in the day, as long as you remember to do it.
Flossing is hard for the majority of people to remember to do. It’s all about creating a healthy habit. Flossing is a crucial activity of oral health hygiene. Keep floss by your toothbrush, or use flossers to make the task easier.