3 Toothbrushing Tips Your Dentist in Renton, WA Wants You to Know
Does your breath smell, your gums are inflamed, and your teeth are feeling fuzzy?
It’s time to start taking control of your dental health. It only takes an extra five to six minutes per day to brush your teeth, and you’ll be rewarded with fresher breath, a confident smile, and fewer aches and pains from tooth decay and cavities.
Keep reading to learn how to supercharge your dental health through these simple toothbrushing tips brought to you by your dentist in Renton, WA!
1. Brush for Two Minutes
Everyone knows how to brush their teeth twice a day, but did you know that how long you brush your teeth also matters? Make sure to take at least two minutes brushing your teeth or 30 seconds per quadrant of your mouth.
Two minutes is recommended because it allows the fluoride in the toothpaste to work its magic more effectively in protecting your teeth from bacteria and cavities. You’ll also have more time to brush away the remains of food and plaque.
2. Use the Right Angle and Motion
Next, the technique you use to brush your teeth during those two minutes also matters.
Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle relative to your teeth so that the bristles are pointed towards your gum line. This allows the bristles of your brush to reach all the nooks and crannies of your teeth more effectively.
Linear brushing back and forth is a no-no, as this can cause damage to your gums and isn’t as effective at removing plaque. Instead, use a gentle circular motion–the same motion you would use waxing your car!
3. Don’t Forget to Floss
Your dentists in Renton, WA always remind patients to floss their teeth–this is because flossing is just as important as brushing. Flossing your teeth allows you to remove bits of food and plaque from in-between your teeth.
It’s recommended to floss before you brush your teeth because once the food remains and plaque are removed, toothpaste is better able to get in-between the cracks of your teeth.
Are you running out of patience when it comes to flossing? Try flossing the upper part of your mouth in the morning and the lower part in the evening. By breaking it up, you can ease yourself into the habit quickly.
Schedule an Appointment with Your Favorite Dentist in Renton, WA
We hope that these simple toothbrushing tips have given you the confidence you need to start taking your dental health seriously. It can be hard to get into a habit that you weren’t taught in childhood, so make it fun by queuing up a podcast, audiobook, or your favorite Spotify playlist when it’s time to brush your teeth.
On average, it takes about 66 days for a new behavior to become automatic–mark the days on your calendar and enjoy a sparkling smile once those two months are over!
Of course, dental health isn’t complete without regular visits to your dentist in Renton, WA. Contact us today to schedule your deep cleaning.