The importance of brushing and flossing your teeth cannot be understated. Brushing and flossing are extremely important for your oral hygiene as it will help decrease your risk of tooth decay and plaque buildup in your mouth. Due to the fact that harmful debris tends to linger in your mouth after eating meals, it is a good idea to brush your teeth at least twice a day. However, your brush can only work so far and cannot clean between teeth. To clean the gaps between teeth, an interdental cleaner such as dental floss will need to be used.
Try to select a brush that will effectively clean your mouth as needed. Always make sure it is replaced every three to four months or sooner if it begins to fray. For children, they will need to replace their brushes more often. When your brush is not in use, store it in an area where it can sit upright and not touch other brushes. This is because contamination can occur. Along the same lines, never use anyone else’s toothbrush, and never let anyone use your toothbrush.
Because your brush cannot reach areas between teeth, your flossing techniques will need to be honed as well. When flossing, always make sure you clean between each and every tooth. Even a single missed gap can lead to debris and plaque buildup that may be difficult to remove if tartar forms. Also, to prevent cross-contamination, make sure that you focus on using a different section of the strand between each tooth. If using traditional dental floss proves to be too arduous, switch to a thread-free interdental cleaner such as a water flosser.
If you are in need of treatments for cleaning your teeth and gums, please book an appointment with Dr. Derek Lichter and our team at our dentist office. Our office is located in Chula Vista, California, and you can reach our office at 619-591-8945.
