Your Oakville Invisalign® Provider
Preventive hygiene is important for your oral health. This includes attending regular cleanings and exams at your dentist's office, as well as practicing good oral health care at home with regular brushing and flossing.
Thorough teeth brushing is important for preventing tooth decay and gum disease. It helps to remove bacteria that can cause tooth decay and plaque that can cause gum disease.
Here are the brushing techniques that you should follow in order to ensure a whole mouth cleaning:
What is the proper technique for brushing your teeth and gums?
In order to ensure a thorough teeth brushing you will need to brush every surface of your teeth, tongue and gums.
Brush at a 45-degree angle in a sweeping motion. For the upper teeth, use a sweeping downward motion, and for lower teeth use a sweeping upward motion. Only brush back and forth on chewing surfaces.
How frequently should you be brushing your teeth?
Ideally, you should brush after every meal but wait at least 30 minutes after your meal before brushing. At the very least, brush twice a day and always before you go to bed.
How long should you brush your teeth each time?
You need to make sure that you are taking your time to brush thoroughly each time and brushing for at least two minutes. You should, however, not brush for any longer than two minutes. You can always try timing yourself to make sure your brushing routine is long enough.
Should you be using a certain type of toothbrush?
A soft-bristled toothbrush with a round head is ideal for tooth brushing. You should also make sure that the toothbrush that you choose is able to reach your molars near the back of your mouth.
There are many different brush shapes and sizes, so ask your dentist to suggest the best one for you.
What will happen to your teeth if you do not brush them properly?
For people who think they can get by without brushing their teeth, our Oakville dentists have some bad news. If you choose to not brush twice daily then you risk experiencing serious complications and diseases. Here’s a quick breakdown of what can happen when you stop brushing your teeth.
- Stained teeth: This is especially true if you drink coffee, wine, or smoke cigarettes.
- Tooth decay: If you don’t brush your teeth you get plaque that breaks down your tooth enamel. This will cause bad breath and eventually can cause major problems and require things like crowns and root canals.
- Gum disease: Also known as periodontal disease, this occurs when the bacteria in plaque cause swollen and bleeding gums.
- Long-term health problems: Periodontal disease is a likely outcome of not brushing one’s teeth, and periodontal disease has been associated with higher risks of kidney disease, dementia, and certain types of cancers.