Make your smile last by taking exceptional care of it.

A proper oral care routine is important to making sure your smile will last a lifetime. Not sure how to care for your smile? Make sure you are not only brushing your teeth properly but following the tips below to keep your smile dazzling.

Here’s how to make sure you’re brushing properly.

The No. 1 way to ensure your teeth are taken care of is by brushing them properly. But how exactly do you make sure you’re brushing the best you can and choosing the right tools for the job?

The dental team at Parmer Lane Family Dentistry recommends that you brush your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes each time. Adults should be using a soft-bristle manual or an electric toothbrush that fits their mouth. Use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste when brushing, and make sure your toothpaste is one that contains fluoride. 

When brushing your teeth, take care to brush all surfaces. That means you need to be brushing the front, back, and tops of your teeth. Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle toward your gums and brush in small, gentle, methodical circles to ensure you’re cleaning every part of your tooth’s surface. Don’t press too hard, as you don’t want to wear the enamel or damage your gum tissue. Scrubbing too hard against your gumline can cause your gums to recede over time and lead to sensitivity.

If you are unsure of what type of toothpaste or toothbrush to use, ask our team at Parmer Lane Family Dentistry for recommendations. You can also look for the American Dental Association (ADA) seal on products. The ADA seal means that the product in question meets the requirements for safety and efficacy and that dental professionals can confidently recommend those products for your oral health routine.

Don’t forget to floss.

Flossing at least once a day should also be part of your normal dental routine. But do you know the best way to floss?

The proper way to floss involves starting with a piece of dental floss about 18 inches long and wrapping most of it around one middle finger, then a small amount around the other middle finger. The hand that has the least amount of dental floss will be the hand that takes the used dental floss.

To begin flossing, hold the dental floss tightly between your index finger and thumb and then gently glide the dental floss between your teeth. Guide the floss up and down each side of your tooth, using a gentle rubbing motion to gently scrape away any plaque buildup. Once you are done between the first two teeth, slide the dental floss out, then wind a clean piece through your fingers. Repeat this process for every tooth in your mouth. Remember to floss gently so that you don’t irritate your gums during the process.

If you find traditional dental floss difficult to use, there are other tools you can try, such as water flossers or dental picks. And if flossing is something you just can’t get the hang of, ask the Parmer Lane Family Dentistry team to show you how!

What about mouthwash?

Most dentists recommend choosing an alcohol-free mouthwash. However, when is the best time to use mouthwash? Many dental professionals say not to use mouthwash immediately after brushing your teeth because it could wash away the fluoride from the toothpaste. Instead, wait until a different time of day if possible, such as after a meal.

Ultimately, the type of mouthwash you use will impact when you should use it. The mouthwash ingredients will determine if you should use it before or after brushing. Always be sure to read the label, but if it is a prescription rinse, your dentist will go over the instructions with you as well.

Don’t forget to get regular dental checkups!

The best way to make sure your teeth are in top shape is to have preventive dental appointments at the best dentist in Austin, Parmer Lane Family Dentistry, twice a year. Our team will perform a professional cleaning and evaluation, as well as take dental X-rays as necessary to make sure there are no issues that can’t be seen with the naked eye.

And if you ever experience a toothache or other dental emergency between preventive visits, make sure you contact our team as soon as possible so we can perform an evaluation and help keep you smiling.