Your Winnipeg Invisalign® Provider
Along with regular visits to your dentist at Odyssey Dental Care in Winnipeg, your at-home oral hygiene routine is the foundation of your oral health. Here are some tips to improve your brushing and flossing routine for a better clean.
1. Brush for two full minutes, 30 seconds per quadrant.
You probably know that you should brush your teeth for a full two minutes, at least two times a day. In order to make sure that none of your teeth are neglected, it can help to picture your upper and lower jaws divided into quadrants: two on the top, and two on the bottom.
Spend 30 seconds brushing the fronts, backs and chewing surfaces of the teeth in each quadrant before moving on to the next. This will help ensure that every tooth in your mouth gets a thorough brushing.
2. Follow the "C" shape flossing rule.
When flossing, don't just saw the floss up and down between your teeth. Instead, after you insert it between your teeth, bend the floss in a "C" shape around one tooth, and move it gently up and down a few times. Then, bend the floss into a "C" shape in the opposite direction around the other tooth, and repeat the motion.
Oral Hygiene at Odyssey Dental Care
At Odyssey Dental Care, our dentists provide comprehensive professional dental cleanings and check-ups, as well as instructions and advice on techniques for proper brushing and flossing.
3. Try and electric toothbrush.
An electric toothbrush with a small, round, rotating head can help you brush your teeth more thoroughly. This is because its fast rotating motion can cover more area more quickly than manual brushing. In addition, the small round head makes it easier to access hard to reach areas, like the backs of your back molars, or the backs of your front bottom teeth.
4. Floss before bed.
You should floss at least one time a day, and the best time to do it is before you go to bed at night. This way, any lingering food debris from the day will be removed, and it won't remain in your mouth all night when you sleep.
5. Replace your toothbrush regularly.
Whether you use a manual toothbrush or an electric one, it's important to replace it periodically. Over time, the bristles will wear down and they just won't be as effective as new ones. Ideally, you should replace your toothbrush (or electric toothbrush head) quarterly. Replacing it every three months will help ensure that you continue to get an effective cleaning when you brush.