Thursday, September 26, 2013

Rinse and Repeat: Advice From the Cosmetic Dentist in Sun City on Brushing Your Teeth

This article provides guidelines to brushing your teeth correctly, focusing on the choice brush, the method of brushing and the length of time it should take.


One of the first things we learn after walking and talking is how to brush our teeth. At least we think we learn how to brush our teeth. Truth be told, according to a cosmetic dentist in Sun City, most people do not brush their teeth correctly, ultimately causing more damage than good.

Incorrect brushing can possibly damage your tooth enamel and gums, causing the teeth to weaken or the teeth roots to be exposed. Over time, the state of your teeth will deteriorate making it more likely for you to experience tooth decay and later, tooth loss. Although tooth loss can be fixed with tooth implants, ultimately you want to keep your natural teeth for as long as possible.

So Let’s Start From the Very Beginning

Tooth Implants
The first step to correct brushing is your choice in toothbrush. When choosing a brush, both the size and the bristles are important. A cosmetic dentist in Sun City suggests soft bristled brushes as the better option. Harder bristles can hasten the erosion of dental enamel and irritate the gums.

The size of the brush is dependent on each person, but the toothbrush should feel comfortable, without you having to strain your mouth to reach the back teeth. Whether you choose an electric toothbrush or a manual one is up to you, so long as you maintain good brushing techniques.


Follow the Right Direction


For many people, horizontal brushing feels like the easiest option. But as with most things in life, the easiest way is not always the best way. Horizontal brushing has a damaging effect on tooth enamel and gums.

Ideally you want to brush vertically or with small circular motions. The cosmetic dentist in Sun City suggests aiming your brush at a 45-degree angle to your gum line and making short, soft, vertical strokes.

Not Too Long and Not Too Short


Brushing your teeth for too long can be equally as bad as not brushing your teeth for long enough, says the cosmetic dentist in Sun City. If you don’t brush your teeth for long enough, you won’t eliminate sufficient bacteria to prevent their slow and steady destruction of your teeth. This can later on lead to tooth decay.

At the same time, brushing your teeth for too long could cause irritation of the gums and their subsequent recession from the crowns of the teeth, causing the sensitive roots to become exposed. It also puts your tooth enamel under strain, leading to erosion and ultimately a weakening of your teeth.

Cosmetic Dentist Sun City - Dr Gasser
The length of time recommended for brushing your teeth is approximately two minutes. Many electric toothbrushes come with timers, which will help you maintain a proper brushing length. So put on your favorite song and brush away to the music!

Get Right In There


In most cases people tend to clean what they see and ignore what they don’t. The cosmetic dentist in Sun City says it is imperative that you tend to all corners of your mouth when brushing. The inner teeth, the very back molars and the tongue all need to be included in your 3 minute cleaning routine.

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