In order to keep our teeth healthy, we must care for them daily by brushing and flossing. The simple act of cleaning our teeth, helps protect them from harmful bacteria, which can cause tooth decay and even gum disease. Thus, it is important that your homecare is the best that it can be, which is why your Austin TX dentist, Dr. Van Wicklen, has put together the following list of homecare tips.
Homecare Tips
- Don’t brush too forcefully. Sometimes, in an effort to ensure that plaque and tartar are removed from teeth, people will brush their teeth with extreme force. Unfortunately, by brushing teeth in this way, you can actually damage them. The powerful abrasive forces can strip teeth of their enamel, weakening their defenses against bacteria and increasing the risk of tooth decay. In addition, forceful brushing can also damage the gums, causing pain and bleeding.
- Angle the bristles of your toothbrush toward the gum line. In order to prevent gum disease, it is very important that you keep harmful bacteria away from your gums. Thus, angling the bristles of your toothbrush toward your gum line is an important precaution you can take to keep oral bacteria at bay.
- Divide your brushing into stages. Thorough homecare means cleaning every surface of all of your teeth. To accomplish this task, you may find it helpful to divide your brushing into several stages. Each stage should correspond to a surface of your teeth. For example, stage one can be the front surface; two can be the back surface; and three can be the top (biting) surface. By working in stages, you can ensure that you don’t accidentally skip cleaning parts of your teeth.
Schedule a Visit with Your Austin TX General Dentist
Are you past due for a dental cleaning? If so, don’t delay any longer. Contact your Austin TX general dentist to discuss your treatment options today. You can schedule an appointment with Dr. Van Wicklen by calling 512-448-3131. Located in the 78704 area, we proudly serve the cities of Austin, Round Rock, Pflugerville, Bastrop, Bee Cave, Cedar Park, and all surrounding communities.