You might think, “I’ve been brushing and flossing my whole life, I know how to do it.” The simple routine is designed to keep your teeth clean between your regular dental checkups and cleanings. Since over 90% of adults in America have been affected by tooth decay in their permanent teeth, and around 80% have gum disease to some degree, there’s a chance that you may be missing something important in your daily dental hygiene routine. To help you make the most of your toothbrush and floss, your Shrewsbury dentists, Dr. Pizzi and Dr. Messina, provide an overview of how to effectively brush and floss your teeth.

Make the Most of Your Dental Hygiene

• Don’t miss a beat—One of the most common hygiene mistakes is believing it’s okay to skip it once in a while. After all, brushing and flossing for so many years should have bought you some kind of leeway, right? Wrong. The reason you’re advised to brush repeatedly every day is to keep up with the buildup of dental plaque, which is formed by oral bacteria and is the source of destructive dental issues. If you miss a beat, plaque can gain a stronghold on your teeth, hardening into tartar and becoming impervious to your toothbrush and floss. Be sure to brush your teeth at least twice a day, and floss at least once, preferably before bedtime.

• Be gentle—The feeling of plaque coating your teeth can temp you into scrubbing it off with all of your might. If you do, however, you’re likely to scrape your tooth enamel off along with it, rendering your tooth vulnerable to tooth decay and damage. Instead of scrubbing, gently brush the plaque and debris from your teeth, making sure to brush every surface of every tooth. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush with the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of approval, and change your toothbrush every two to three months, or when the bristles start to fray.

• Eat breakfast in the morning—The typical morning rush causes many people to forego breakfast, believing they can make it up at lunch. Skipping breakfast will make you hungry faster and impair your nutritional judgment, and the on-the-go snacks you might rely on to get you through the morning can feed acid-causing oral bacteria that lead to enamel erosion and tooth decay. Your physical and oral health are worth taking a few moments to eat a well-balanced breakfast before brushing your teeth in the morning.

ABOUT YOUR SHREWSBURY DENTISTS:

At Modern Dentistry, Todd A. Pizzi, DDS, and Luciana Messina, DDS, are dedicated to providing high-quality cosmetic, restorative, and preventive dentistry services to patients and families in Shrewsbury, Worcester, North and South Grafton, Westborough, Southborough, Northborough, Boylston, Hopkinton, Millbury, and all surrounding communities. To schedule your next appointment, contact our office by calling (508) 842-6356 today.