Taking Time To Brush And Floss

When you care for your smile each day, this helps control plaque buildup and safeguard your smile against cavities, gum disease, and more. Which means you need to take time to brush and floss your teeth properly. In today’s blog, your Cleveland, TX, dentist talks about how to thoroughly care for your smile with brushing and flossing.

The Dangers Posed by Plaque Buildup

Without daily care to clean your smile, this could allow plaque buildup to form, coating the exterior of the teeth. Plaque is caused by bacteria consuming particles of sugar and starch left behind by the foods and drinks you consume, and creating a layer that hardens over time into tartar. This layer not only increases the risk of teeth stains and bad breath, but could also lead to cavities, infections, gingivitis, and even gum disease. However, daily care could limit how much plaque can form, until you see us for a dental cleaning to completely remove these layers.

Brushing Teeth

You should brush your teeth for about two minutes twice a day, once when you wake up and then again right before going to bed. Each session should take about two minutes, ensuring you reach every available surface of your smile. You can opt for an electric or manual toothbrush, as long as you’re taking time to clean your smile both are effective. However, we urge people to use soft bristles to prevent inadvertent enamel damage. Your toothpaste matters too! Instead of looking for whitening options, choose one with fluoride, as this helps strengthen the outer enamel to keep your teeth strong and cavity-free. You can look for the American Dental Association’s Seal of Acceptance on the packaging.

Flossing Each Night

While brushing is crucial, this cannot reach what is trapped between your teeth and along the gum line, for that you need to floss. You should do this every evening, taking an 18-inch to 20-inch length of tape and wrapping each end around a thumb, and holding it taut with your index finger. Move the tape up and down each side of every tooth, dipping below the gums when you do. This helps extract trapped particles to keep your smile healthy and strong. You can use tape, a floss pick, or a water flosser.

If you have any questions about caring for your smile, then contact our team today to learn more.

Schedule a Checkup Soon

Our team wants to help you enjoy strong, healthy, and bright smiles for years to come. If you have any questions about caring for your oral health, or if you would like to schedule a consultation today, please contact Cleveland Family Dentistry in Cleveland, TX, at (281) 592-1234. You can also find our practice at 205 E. Houston St. Cleveland, TX 77327.