Teeth Tips

Teeth, so little, yet so important. Your oral health is an important part of your overall health and therefore, should not be ignored. Brushing your teeth, flossing, and visiting a dental office are all ways that you can improve your oral health. I recently sat down with registered dental hygienist, Denise, to discuss her top brushing and flossing tips and tricks. An accomplished professional in her field, she has always promoted oral health inside and outside the dental office. Most people vaguely think about their teeth as they drag their toothbrush across their teeth morning and night but, the following advice can ensure that you make the most of those few minutes everyday. Get ready to dazzle people with your pearly whites!

Brush, brush, brush!

Denise's Brushing Tips:

1. Always use soft bristled toothbrushes, the softer the better!

2. Toothpaste is not actually necessary every time you brush. Simply wetting the brush will do the trick. If you want to freshen your breath though; opt for that toothpaste!

3. Brush from the gum line to the tip of the tooth. Never brush back and forth. 

4. Brush twice a day, everyday. It does not make a difference whether you have a manual toothbrush or an electric toothbrush; just brush those teeth!

5. Let your toothbrush air dry after use. "Storing it in a closed container will allow for bacterial growth that can make you sick," Denise warns. 

6. Replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months or after you have been sick. 

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...And don't forget to floss!

Flossing is more than a popular dance move! Denise tells her patients to only, "floss the teeth you want to keep." AKA if you want to keep your teeth healthy and in your head, you had better be flossing them! She explains that, "flossing removes the bacteria between the teeth that could otherwise lead to cavities, gingivitis, and gum disease which can all lead to tooth loss. Flossing reaches 30% of your tooth's surface that brushing misses." 

Denise's Flossing Tips:

1. Floss first, then brush. Flossing removes bacteria from in between your teeth that you need to later brush away.

2. How long should your piece of floss be? The length of your forearm (hand to elbow). 

3. From regular floss to floss picks to floss holders; use what works best for you.

4. Don't floss too hard. You can end up cutting your gums!

5. Ease the floss in between your teeth and gently rub up and down the surface of each tooth 5-10 times. 

6.There is no best time of day to floss you teeth, fit it in whenever you have time.

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Stay classy, never trashy, and just a little sassy!

- Kel 

P.S. A very special thanks to Denise for her contributions to this post.