At Real Dentistry, we know that seeing the dentist is scary for a good number of people. As the bright light blinds you and the hygienist scrapes away at your teeth (and gums—eek!), you might pledge that your next appointment will be better. It can be, but you should follow these tips (and impress Dr. Real in the next time you come in!) for healthy teeth.
Set a timer: if you brush your teeth haphazardly or in a rush, you might get rid of your halitosis, but you probably aren’t getting your teeth very clean. The APA recommends brushing your teeth for two minutes. We recommend setting a timer or playing a song that is two minutes long while you scrub your duds. There is also a Smart Phone app called Brush DJ that plays music in two-minute spurts to help you time your brushing.
Be gentle: scrubbing your teeth too vigorously with your toothbrush can eat away at your enamel. Hold your brush softly at an angle and brush in a circular motion.
Change your toothbrush—often! An old toothbrush won’t effectively clean your mouth. Once you notice that the bristles are worn, it’s time for a new one.
Go electric. Electric toothbrushes are typically better than manual brushes because they do a better job at cleaning hard-to-reach places.
Chomp, chomp, chomp! Chew gum. If it’s not possible for you to brush your teeth between meals, pop a stick of gum into your mouth. Gum helps to remove any leftover food debris, which cuts down on bacteria in the mouth.
Floss. Just, floss. It’s important. Using a toothbrush alone is not enough to ensure optimum dental health. Flossing, which should be done before brushing, helps to loosen plaque between the teeth.
Consistency is key. We’ve all done it. The dentist sends a little reminder postcard about your upcoming appointment in the mail, and that reminds you to be better at brushing and flossing. Keeping your dental health in tact between appointments is just as important as visiting the dentist every 6 months.
If you follow all of these steps, you are sure to impress Dr. Real at your next dental checkup. And if you haven’t scheduled your next visit, you can give us a call at: 714.525.2888.