Posted

Between your six-month dental cleanings with us, you brush your teeth and perform a great deal of plaque removal on a daily basis. This allows you to prevent tooth decay, gum disease, and even bad breath. But have you ever stopped to think about whether you’re doing the best job you can at brushing those lovely teeth of yours? Sometimes, even making decisions based on common sense can cause you to make less-than-ideal choices. For this reason, we encourage you to look over the following brushing facts. Making even minor improvements to your daily habits can have a significant effect on the long-term health and beauty of your smile.

Fact #1: Your tooth brush gets old

Are you proud of yourself because your tooth brush still looks like new after six months? Well, it is an impressive feat. However, this isn’t a wonderful practice. Toothbrushes tend to harbor germs, which is not so great for your health. We suggest replacing them once every three months. Or, if you notice your toothbrush looks a bit shabby and it hasn’t been three months yet, go ahead and use that as your guide and replace the brush.

Fact #2: You should use soft bristles

Your common sense tells you that harder bristles should deliver the best results, right? Actually, your best approach is choosing a soft-bristle toothbrush, rather than reaching for medium or hard. This will ensure that you gently and thoroughly remove plaque and debris without harming your gums or your tooth’s outermost tissue layer, called enamel.

Fact #3: You should brush two times a day for two minutes each

Sorry, but that quick 30 seconds of brushing before you run out the door in the morning isn’t going to cut it. We suggest using a stopwatch set at two minutes – twice daily – until you become accustomed to brushing for the full amount of time necessary to yield effective results.

ABOUT YOUR RIVERSIDE DENTISTS:

With offices throughout Riverside Country, including Corona, Temecula, and Moreno Valley, Riverside Dental Group is happy to provide advanced general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry services to patients of all ages. To learn more, or to schedule a consultation, call our office today at (951) 689-5031.