Brushing and Flossing According to the Dentist Valparaiso, IN, Depends on for Healthy Smiles

As the family dentist Northwest Indiana trusts, Dr. Jim Arnold and his team of dentists and hygienists want to be your partners in helping you enjoy the best dental and oral health. That’s why we’d like to offer our patients in Valparaiso, IN, and the surrounding communities a few tips on how best to brush and floss your teeth. We all know that your home hygiene routine is essential, but that routine is only as effective as your technique. So, what does it take to brush and floss your teeth well? Let’s find out.

Brushing and Flossing Properly

Always use a soft-bristled brush and fluoride toothpaste. Soft bristles clean well, and unlike hard bristles that may scratch the enamel surface of your teeth, soft bristles are gentle on your teeth. Fluoride is a mineral that has been proven to strengthen enamel, thereby helping you avoid tooth decay.

Brush your teeth for at least two minutes. Place the brush at a 45-degree angle to the tooth surface. Be sure to brush the sides and chewing surface of each tooth, using a short back-and-forth motion. Brushing the interior side of your front teeth—both upper and lower—is especially important, because tartar can build up here. Finally, don’t forget to brush your tongue in order to remove bacteria and maintain fresh breath.

Floss in between teeth to remove plaque and food residues. Flossing is just as important as brushing your teeth because doing so removes bacteria and food particles that may be trapped between your teeth. Use about 18 inches of floss, gently let your index fingers and thumbs guide the floss between your teeth. Wrap the floss around each tooth and gently follow the curves of your teeth as you move the floss up and down. Then floss the other side. Flossing helps to remove the sticky plaque that can accumulate between teeth and cause tooth decay or gum disease. Small interdental brushes help floss around dental implants, fixed bridgework and wire, and bracket braces.

Change your toothbrush regularly. The American Dental Association recommends changing out your toothbrush every three months. And be sure to throw away your toothbrush after you’ve had a cold or the flu.

Call Our Office Today

Of course, regular dental exams and cleanings are important, too. If you’d like to learn more about oral hygiene at home, or if you need to schedule a checkup, call Smiles of Valparaiso, the family dentist Valparaiso, IN, rely on for healthy and happy smiles. We also conveniently serve people from Portage, Porter, La Porte, Michigan City, and Wheeler, and nearby NWI cities.