The Dos and Don’ts of Brushing and Flossing: Common Errors and Solutions 

You might have heard that you should brush your teeth twice and floss once daily to maintain proper dental hygiene. Following these tips are essential, but sadly, you might be brushing and flossing your teeth improperly. Because of this, you might develop oral complications like tooth decay and periodontal disease due to poor technique during brushing and flossing.

Fortunately, we’ve provided you with the dos and don’ts of brushing and flossing to ensure your gums and teeth are in good condition. So, keep on reading to learn more.

Common Mistakes and Solutions for Brushing and Flossing: A Guide to Dos and Don’ts

The Do’s and Don’ts of Brushing Your Teeth

The Do’s

• Use a soft-bristled toothbrush that has a small head. A small head ensures you can reach the spaces at the back teeth.
• Utilize fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride is essential in fortifying your teeth’s enamel, making it resistant to decay.
• Brush for about two minutes twice daily. Ensure you brush the upper left, upper right, lower left and lower right sections of your mouth.
• Utilize the technique recommended by the local dentist: tilt the brush to a 45-degree angle against the gum line and use small circles when brushing. This technique is recommended as it is gentler to your gums and removes plaque effectively.
• Replace your toothbrush every three months. If you get a virus, an infection, or a cold, replace the toothbrush immediately to prevent reinfection.
• Brush your tongue to prevent the growth of odour-causing bacteria.
• If you struggle with brushing your teeth, consider buying a powered toothbrush, as it ensures you brush your teeth efficiently.

The Don’ts

• Don’t brush immediately after eating. The dentist in Longmont advises against brushing after eating as the acid in food softens the enamel,  damaging it. Alternatively, drink water after eating to rinse the food stuck between teeth.
• Don’t put too much pressure when brushing. Applying too much pressure wears out the tooth enamel.
• Don’t share your toothbrush with anyone. A family member may visit you and convince you that their teeth and gums are healthy. Don’t fall for that, as germs and infections can be transferred through a toothbrush.
• Don’t forget to brush your back teeth. We usually want our front teeth to look white, but we forget that our back teeth matter too.
• Don’t rush when brushing your teeth. You might be late for work or school and decide to rush the process. If this becomes a routine, you might end up with plaque and tartar that cause gum disease.

The Do’s of Flossing

• Be gentle when pushing the floss between teeth.
• Utilize a piece of floss that is around 18 inches long.
• Use circular motions when flossing below the gumline.
• If conventional flossing is challenging for you, choose a floss pick or water flosser.
• Use only your index finger to wrap the ends of the floss.
• Be gentle when flossing below the gum line because most plaque and tartar buildup here.
• Do floss every day. The dentist who provides brushing and flossing guidance in Longmont recommends flossing daily to remove food stuck between teeth. Failure to do so will lead to plaque and tartar buildup causing gum disease.
• Do expect soreness. If you don’t floss regularly, you should expect slight soreness. However, if the soreness does not resolve with time, visit the dentist’s office near you for consultation. Soreness might be due to improper technique, gum disease or tooth decay.

The Don’ts of Flossing

• Don’t floss aggressively. You may cause bleeding between your teeth.
• Don’t experiment with different flosses in the market until you find the most suitable one for you. Instead, visit the dentist who provides dental care tips in Longmont, and they will help you choose the right floss for you.
• Don’t reuse a piece of floss.
• Don’t force the floss straight down between your teeth. Doing so can cause irreversible trauma to your gum tissue.
• Don’t worry about bleeding if it’s your first-time flossing. Bleeding after flossing is common and should not concern you. This is because your gums are tender and may be affected by the flossing motion. Fortunately, as you get accustomed to flossing, your gums will stop bleeding.

These are some of the do’s and don’ts when it comes to brushing and flossing. If you have any other questions or concerns about your oral hygiene, visit our dental offices in Longmont. Our dental professionals will be ready to answer your questions and treat any oral problem you have. Remember that regular dental checkups are essential for optimal oral health.