Are You Brushing Your Smile With the Care It Deserves?

Are you taking the time to brush your pearly whites at least twice each day? This basic oral hygiene step is vital to removing harmful plaque and oral debris, such as food particles, from causing your smile to have tooth decay or gum disease. Today, Dr. Raymond del Castillo would like to give you some useful pointers on brushing properly. 

#1 Are you using the best tools to clean your teeth? It is important to use good hygiene tools to keep your smile healthy. To protect tooth enamel and gum tissue, you can choose a soft-bristled toothbrush and make sure it fits your mouth well, meaning it can move freely in the mouth to reach your everywhere you need the brush to clean. If you are cavity prone, we encourage using fluoride toothpaste.

#2 Are you brushing a good length of time? We encourage brushing for two minutes each time you brush, twice a day. Brushing too long can be hard on enamel and gum tissue, brushing less than that may not remove harmful plaque residue. It is good to find a healthy balance. 

#3 Are you taking proper care of your toothbrush? Be sure to rinse your toothbrush thoroughly with water after you finished brushing. Keep it upright in a toothbrush holder and keep it from touching other surfaces (or toothbrushes) to allow it to dry in between uses and to avoid contaminating it. A good general rule is to replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months or whenever you see the bristles beginning to fray.

If you have any questions on tooth brushing in Coral Gables, Florida, please call our office today at 305-443-4713. Our Minorca Smiles team is happy to help you develop excellent oral hygiene habits!