Hello, and welcome to the Nashville Center for Aesthetic Dentistry blog. Here we discuss many of the treatments and procedures available at our Brentwood cosmetic dental office, like dental crowns, tooth-colored fillings, porcelain veneers, teeth whitening and gum contouring. We also want to make sure our Nashville and Brentwood patients understand the importance of dental health and oral hygiene.
We often get asked by our Tennessee patients if they’re “doing it right” when it comes to oral hygiene.
If you’re brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing once a day, you are on the right track. There are some techniques to brushing, though, that many of our Nashville dental patients just haven’t learned. Here are a few tips to get you brushing your teeth like a professional:
- Angle your toothbrush. Your toothbrush should be at a 45-degree angle when brushing the inside and outside surfaces of your teeth. This allows the bristles to penetrate the gumline and remove plaque that can otherwise get missed.
- Use the “toe” of the brush (the top bristles) to clean the insides of your front teeth. This is a spot where tartar tends to accumulate because it takes a different kind of brushing technique to properly clean these surfaces. Tilt your toothbrush vertically and gently brush up and down.
- Brush your tongue! Don’t just brush back and forth vigorously. You want to “sweep” particles off your tongue by brushing in a sweeping motion from back to front.
- Time yourself. It takes 2 to 3 minutes to get your mouth clean, focusing at least 30 seconds on each section. You can’t make up for short brushing by brushing extra hard. In fact, hard brushing can damage your gums and tissues.
We hope these tips will help you feel confident about your dental hygiene. Remember, proper brushing can help with gum disease, bad breath, and the health of your teeth.
If you are looking for an experienced, skilled cosmetic dentist in the Nashville area, call (615) 823-2928 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Dennis J. Wells and Dr. Daniel K. Weese at Nashville Center for Aesthetic Dentistry.
Our exceptional team can fill your dental needs, whether you would like to discuss replacing missing teeth, redesigning your smile, relieving your dental anxiety, getting a bi-annual checkup, or addressing any number of dental concerns. Dr. Wells and Dr. Weese make sure all patients are informed and educated before making important decisions about your health and your smile.
“How to Brush Your Teeth.” <http://www.crest.com/dental-hygiene-topics/how-to-brush-your-teeth.aspx>. Accessed 12 Dec. 2014.
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