How to Brush Your Teeth Correctly

Did you know that there’s a right and wrong way to brush your teeth? For most of us, the routine is ingrained in our daily lives, and in spite of the importance of keeping your teeth clean, the ritual of brushing and flossing them may sometimes seem overly simple. However, caring for your smile can be complex; although they’re strong enough to withstand the pressures of biting and chewing every day, your teeth’s good health can be undone by something as simple as incorrectly brushing your teeth. Besides expertly maintaining and restoring our patients’ smiles, Reno dentists, Dr. Wager and Dr. Evans, also emphasize helping patients take better care of their own dental health by educating them on effective home hygiene practices.

Proper Teeth Cleaning

• Use soft bristles. And restraint—At times when your teeth feel especially grimy, like when you first wake up in the morning, you may be tempted to scrub a little harder, for a little longer, to get that extra clean feeling. Bad idea. Scrubbing too severely, or using a toothbrush with harsh bristles, can strip your teeth of the enamel that protects them. Take care to gently brush dental plaque and food debris from your teeth using a soft-bristled toothbrush.
• Don’t rush—The purpose of brushing and flossing is to remove harmful bacteria from your teeth that can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, chronic bad breath, and other issues. If you rush through your routine, then you might miss a spot of bacteria-made plaque, which can calcify into tartar and allow the germs within it enough time to gather and attack your oral tissues. The American Dental Association (ADA) suggests that each session should last about two minutes to grant you enough time to brush every surface of every tooth and thoroughly remove harmful bacteria from their surfaces.
• Use fluoride toothpaste—Want to give your tooth enamel a boost against cavity-causing bacteria? Fluoride is a mineral that bonds to enamel’s surface, strengthening it to help better protect your teeth. Fluoride is found in most major toothpaste brands, and can also be offered as a direct treatment at our office for patients with significantly weakened tooth enamel.

About Your Reno Dentists:

Dr. William Wager, Dr. Brian Evans, and our highly experienced team at Wager Evans Dental are devoted to our patients and their families, and dedicated to providing first-rate dental care in a comfortable, inviting environment. Located in Reno, we proudly welcome residents from Spanish Springs, Sparks, Incline Village, Dayton, Fernley, and all surrounding communities. To schedule a consultation or your next dental appointment, visit our office, or contact us today by calling (775) 800-4845.