IMAN Dental Center is here to for you every step of the way. Your smile is only as good as your dental care. If you want to look and feel your best, you need to take care of your teeth. As children we have it instilled in us that we need to brush our teeth 2-3 times a day. But as adults, we can often forget about this important habit. But aside from making our smile more attractive, why is it so important that we take care of our teeth? How often do we need to brush our teeth? What about flossing? Are there any tips to help us take better care of our teeth? Today we will answer all of these questions and more so let’s not waste another minute!
Why is it so important to take care of your teeth?
Your smile is everything, and taking care of your teeth is essential in having a good smile. But aside from the aesthetics of it, tooth brushing is also important for your overall health.
If you don’t properly care for your teeth, the first sign of problem will be tooth decay in the form of a cavity. Depending on how deep the cavity is, it can be very painful and cause extreme sensitivity to certain foods. The good news is, most cavities can be filled if you catch them early enough. If left too long, however, your tooth may need to be pulled.
If your teeth are not properly cared for, for long periods of time, you could also end up with gum disease. Individuals with gum disease may experience swollen gums, mouth pains, bleeding, receding gum lines, loose teeth, mouth sores, and persistent bad breath among other things. At advanced stages it could lead to tooth loss.
What’s worse, oral health is about even more than just decay and gum disease. A great deal of research has also shown that there may be a connection between oral health and overall health. Not only can oral problems lead to loss of self-confidence, but they are also associated with speech problems and malnutrition.
How often should you brush your teeth?
As recommended by the American Dental Association and IMAN Dental Center, you should brush your teeth at least twice a day. You should also brush anytime you eat a sugary filled snack or meal, as sugar is one of the main causes of bacteria buildup on our teeth. Dentists recommend that brushing be done for 2 minutes at a time.
Tips for brushing your teeth?
Don’t be aggressive
- Many people think that brushing harder results in more plaque removal. This is not the case. Rather, brushing too hard can actually damage the enamel on your teeth which can eventually lead to sensitivity and gum erosion. In return, you should always opt to brush with a soft bristle toothbrush.
Avoid using the sawing motion
- Brushing your teeth is only effective when you use the proper brushing techniques. The proper way to brush your teeth is not with back and forth sawing motions. Rather, it is with small circular motions over each tooth. Be sure you create circles on each the front, back, and top of your teeth.
Replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months, or as soon as it starts to look frayed.
Use a fluoride toothpaste
- Fluoride helps to harden the enamel on our teeth, thereby reducing the risk of decay.
How often should you floss your teeth?
Did you know that if you do not floss your teeth you are actually missing 1⁄3 of your tooth’s surface? This is because there are certain parts of our teeth that we can’t reach with a toothbrush, but can reach with floss. In return, flossing is equally as important as brushing and should be done daily.
Tips for flossing your teeth
If you dont like string floss, try another option.
- Alternative to string floss include floss picks, electric flossers, and water flossers.
Don’t force your floss.
- Rather, use gentle sawing motions to get the floss where you need it to go. “Snapping” it into place can damage your gums.
Wrap the floss around your gums too.
- Flossing isn’t just about getting the teeth clean, it’s also about getting the gums clean. Wrap the floss in a “c” shape around your gums in between each tooth to ensure that they are clean too.
Additional tips for keeping your teeth clean:
Schedule dentist appointments regularly
- As a general recommendation, you should visit the dentist every 6 months. During a routine checkup and cleaning the dentist can remove any tartar or plaque buildup on your teeth. They can also help you to check for, and suggest ways to prevent, any oral health concerns.
Avoid smoking
- Smoking isn’t just hard on your body, it’s also hard on your teeth. Not only can it turn your teeth yellow, but smoking can reduce your immune functioning which can make it more difficult for the tissues within your mouth to heal when they need to.
Limit sugary foods
- Sugary foods are one of the main causes of cavities and tooth decay. Candies, desserts, and processed foods are often filled with sugar and starch content that can cause oral health problems. If you do eat something very sugary, be sure to brush and floss your teeth immediately afterwards.
Drink water
- Many of our drinks are loaded with extra sugar. Sipping on sodas, juices, and other sugary drinks can wreak havoc on your teeth. When possible, opt for water instead.
In conclusion, brushing and flossing your teeth should be a regular part of your everyday routine. Even if life is busy, IMAN Dental Center recommends it’s essential that you make time to care for your teeth. If you don’t, the result could be an unhealthy smile, bad breath, pain, and even tooth loss.