Brush and Floss the Right Way!

Family brushing teethFirst, before we go into this, I’d like to say that if you are already brushing and flossing regularly, you are way ahead of the game. There is an actual right way, but we don’t want to detract from all those superstars you are dedicated to their oral health.

“LET THE BRUSH DO THE WORK. This is key, it’s just like swinging a golf club, baseball bat (kind of), you have to let the bristles work for you! Brushing hard is not going to get them cleaner or cut down the time, it just wears out the brush and it’s not good for your teeth.”
– Dr. Sue Stakiw of Campus Dental Centre

Let’s start with the toothbrush Your toothbrush should be soft-bristled (we’ll give you one when you come to see us). The standard is 2 minutes, twice a day, spending 30 seconds on each area, upper right, upper left, lower right, lower left. Replacing your brush every 3 months is critical as is choosing a toothpaste that has fluoride in it!

Let the Brush Do the Work

This is key, it’s just like swinging a golf club, baseball bat (kind of), you have to let the bristles work for you! Brushing hard is not going to get them cleaner or cut down the time, it just wears out the brush and it’s not good for your teeth.

Here are your techniques for a solid brushing routine:

  • Get the inner surfaces of the teeth first and give some extra love to those back teeth
  • Be gentle when brushing along the gum line
  • Brush your tongue, this helps cut down on bacteria and bad breath

Flossing, it’s a pain but you’ll be in more pain if you don’t!

Flossing is the most neglected part of the oral health routine. It can be annoying, even cumbersome, but doing it is so vital to keeping you out of the dentist chair!

You’re getting all the stuff the brush can’t. The bits of food that decide to live in the tight spaces of your teeth that you won’t even notice until you get some floss in there. Here are your pro -tips for optimal flossing:

  • Use about 18 cm of floss so you have a bit for each tooth
  • Get right in there and up over either side of your gums
  • Those back molars need extra attention (food loves hiding back0 there)

If you don’t like traditional floss you can always get the picks that have floss on them. It’s a one and done situation and the flossers are super quick.

No one likes coming to the dentist but it’s important to have regular checkups and hygiene appointments. Having a solid, consistent oral health routine will absolutely lessen the amount of time you spend with us. Without it you are at risk for tooth decay, gum disease and even tooth loss.

It’s never too late to start a good oral health routine so get on it!