At Mason Dental in Grapevine, we recommend two minutes as a minimum time for brushing your teeth. Most people think they brush that long, but might be surprised if they actually set a timer. Most of us only brush for about a minute, if that.
We believe there is always room for improvement, even in something as basic as this!
Essential Dental Health
Brushing your teeth is an important part of any daily health care routine. We recommend brushing twice a day, and with a soft-bristled toothbrush. We strongly recommend flossing, too.
Should you floss before or after you brush? The jury is still out on that one. We think before is better, but there is plenty of disagreement. 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 to the sides, be sure you brush along the gumline. 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.
Toothpaste
Use a pea-sized blob of fluoridated toothpaste – or more than a pea-sized, if you’re so inclined. Too much toothpaste is no big deal, but 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. Make sure it feels comfortable in your hand. Replace your toothbrush every three months, if not more often.
Tooth Massage
We mentioned using a gentle touch. Plaque is soft and loose, so you don’t have to scrub really hard to remove it. Think of it not so much as brushing, but massaging your teeth. Keeping that in mind should help you keep that light touch.
To bring this back full circle, 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. There’s an app for that!
At Mason Dental in Grapevine, we want the best possible dental health for all of our patients. We offer general and restorative dentistry. Schedule your next checkup with us today.
Contact Mason Dental – Cosmetic – Implant – Family:
817-481-4717
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
801 W Wall St
Grapevine, Texas
76051
