3 Often Overlooked Tips For Proper Oral Hygiene

You have been told ever since you were a child that you need to brush two times a day in order to maintain healthy teeth. It is great advice to follow, but is really just a starting point for proper oral hygiene. Here are 3 tips that are often overlooked that can help improve the health of your teeth, mouth, and gums.

Avoid Brushing After Eating Acidic Foods

A common misconception is that brushing your teeth immediately after eating is a great way to keep bacteria and food particles from ruining your teeth. This is not true, and brushing too soon after eating acidic foods can actually cause damage to your teeth.

Try to avoid brushing immediately after consuming foods or beverages that have high levels of acidity, such as candy or fruit juice. This is because that acid found in those foods can weaken the enamel on your teeth. Your teeth will be vulnerable from the acid, and brushing soon after eating can cause damage to your enamel.

Wait half an hour before brushing if you have recently consumed any food that is known for having higher levels of acid in it.

Use The Correct Toothpaste

Your dentist may have a specific concern regarding your oral health. It could be that the enamel of your teeth is weak or your teeth are very sensitive. There are actually specific kinds of toothpastes that you can use to fight these two problems.

Toothpastes that are designed to fight cavities actually have fluoride in them, which helps strengthen the enamel of your teeth. Any toothpaste that is approved by the American Dental Association will contain fluoride, so you can feel assured if you see their endorsement on the packaging.

If your teeth are sensitive to hot and cold temperatures, you may be better off with a toothpaste designed to make your teeth less sensitive.  These toothpastes use potassium ions to close or desensitize the tiny dentinal tubules in your teeth that cause them to feel the temperatures. 

Use A 2-Minute Timer To Limit Brushing

The ideal amount of time to brush is about 2 minutes, which is the necessary amount of time you need to effectively brush all areas of your teeth. Brushing too long is not good either because it can lead to sore gums and other dental problems. This is because the gums will start to recede, leading to root cavities, gum disease, and sensitive teeth. 10% to 20% of people have caused damage to their teeth due to over brushing, so it is something to keep in mind to prevent it from happening to you. Use a two-minute timer to keep you on track for the proper amount of teeth brushing.

Follow these tips and you will be on your way to brushing effectively. Contact a dentist like Richard L. Myers, DDS for more tips.

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