All of our lives we have heard over and over how important proper brushing is for tooth and gum health. Dentists recommend that you brush your teeth for two full minutes a minimum of twice a day. According to a study conducted by Crest and the American Dental Association, 1 in 5 Americans still brushes their teeth less than twice a day.
Brushing Your Teeth Properly
Over 43% of people in the United States have no idea how to know when it is time to replace their toothbrush, which means that almost half of the population is brushing their teeth with an old, ineffective toothbrush every day. Brushing your teeth should not be considered work. It is important to be as thorough as possible, clean at an angle, work your gums, and take your time. Tooth brushing is not a sprint. Because you should clean your gums, tongue, and inner mouth thoroughly as well when brushing your teeth, it is recommended to change your thinking from brushing your teeth to cleaning your whole mouth. This begs the question “Is brushing enough on its own?”
Flossing Your Teeth and Gums
Daily flossing is consistently recommended by Dentists everywhere, yet only half of Americans floss their teeth at least once per day. Even worse, 10% claim that they never floss at all. While flossing your teeth and gums can be a bit more painful and time-consuming than brushing your teeth, once it becomes a habit, you will actually find yourself wanting to floss on a regular basis. Flossing removes dangerous plaque and food particles between your teeth as well as in between your teeth and gums. Gum health begins with a regular floss regimen.
When choosing the best dental floss for your specific needs, be sure to look for PTFE dental floss because Nylon floss is made of multiple threads and could shred when used. You should use approximately 18 inches of floss tightly wound around your fingers. The floss should be curved around your tooth then pulled back and forth being sure to work the gum as well. As well, it is important to use a clean part of the floss when you move on to a new tooth.
A Myriad of Health Problems Caused By Dental Issues
When most people think of health concerns caused by issues with the teeth and gums, they think of things like gingivitis, gum disease, cavities, dentures, etc. Situations like these not only require restorative dentistry, this is only the tip of the iceberg with regard to health problems that can arise from improper oral hygiene. Clinical Research has shown that bacteria from an unhealthy mouth can harm other parts of the body as well. It can lead to heart disease, diabetes, respiratory illness, as well as other conditions. Almost 90% of all systemic diseases have signs inside the mouth.
Don’t Become Another Statistic
Beavers Dentistry doesn’t want you to experience increasing health issues from poor oral hygiene. If you want to ensure you have the healthiest teeth, gums, and mouth possible, be sure to contact us today and schedule an appointment!