Don’t brush after eating

That’s right let go of your tightly-held dental hygiene belief. The logic behind this is easy to understand. Food you eat attacks your teeth, right? So, brushing straight after a meal or soft drink would minimise the damage, yes? Not exactly.

The bacteria in our mouth feeds on the fluids and food particles. Bacteria deposits stick to our teeth and produce acid. This acid attacks the protective layer on our teeth, tooth enamel.

So, our enamel layer is weakened by the acid right after a meal. Add brushing your teeth to this, you risk further weakening the enamel.

What we recommend is drinking plenty of water after a meal to reduce acid levels and wash away food particles. Chew sugar-free gum to increase saliva production, and then brush your teeth 30 minutes after you eat.

 

Floss before brushing

Flossing after brushing your teeth is the most commonly accepted process (if you do floss at all). It makes sense that flossing removes the leftover particles that toothbrushes alone just didn’t get to.

You may be shocked now when I tell you that a recent study found that flossing before brushing removes more dental plaque than the other way around. Ludicrous!

The same study also found that fluoride, cavities and tooth decay prevention mineral, stayed in the mouth in higher concentrations when participants flossed before brushing.

This is where we ask you again to let go of your past dental convictions and start flossing before brushing.

 

The right toothbrush and technique

Choosing between an electric or manual toothbrush can be tricky but really comes down to your technique. If you can brush your teeth thoroughly with a manual toothbrush, then this might be the right choice for you. Remember, you don’t need to be aggressive to be thorough! Or if you’re unsure, you can give an electric toothbrush a go and let it do all the work for you - but remember to brush down to your gums! But whatever toothbrush you buy, try to get one with extra soft or soft bristles!

Why soft bristles, you ask? Just because you brush harder, doesn’t mean you’re brushing better. Many people tend to apply too much pressure when brushing their teeth, especially if they’re overly enthusiastic about their oral hygiene routine. Soft bristles on an electric toothbrush helps to protect your gums and teeth from overzealous brushing techniques.

 

It’s time to improve and maintain your dental health and think of the long-term benefits. The only things you need to leave behind your past dental hygiene beliefs.

Twice yearly preventative check-ups in conjunction with the right brushing techniques will improve your dental health enormously. Your local Pinjarra Hills dentists are here to help you feel confident with your dental health with our affordable, professional and gentle dentistry services.

Want to learn more about good oral hygiene and improving your dental health? Contact Karana Downs Dental today to book your next dental check-up.