Do you feel confident about your daily brushing? Does your smile look and feel its absolute best? Between your six-month visits with us for a cleaning and checkup, we encourage you to pay close attention to the details that can make or break effective dental care. Brushing your teeth twice a day is essential, but are you truly making the most of your dental hygiene? Consider some important tips to make daily care that much more successful.

When Did You Replace Your Toothbrush Last?

Just because you bought a beautiful toothbrush that you rinse thoroughly after you brush does not mean you can keep it forever. In fact, we encourage you to replace your toothbrush once every three months or so. Your brush traps bacteria and germs, which may cause problems like infection. Or, if your brush starts to look a bit shabby before the three months is up, go ahead and replace it sooner. And remember, choose a soft-bristle brush rather than a medium or hard brush for gentle yet effective dental hygiene.

Are You Brushing Your Teeth, Or Your Teeth and Gums?

One of the main goals of teeth brushing is removing plaque – the leading cause of tooth decay and gum disease. While brushing every surface of your teeth is essential, you may be overlooking your gums. Subsequently, you may be missing the plaque that hides just beneath your gumline. To ensure thorough, effective brushing, angle your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle toward your gumline during your daily brushing. Drag the brush along your teeth away from your gumline to remove the plaque and bacteria that lead to gingivitis.

Making The Most Of Your Toothpaste Selection

Do you find that your teeth feel a bit sensitive, but we have already checked your teeth to ensure they are healthy? Do you hope to address mild staining while you brush? If you are grabbing for the first toothpaste you see, you may be doing yourself a disservice. Take a closer look at your options and choose according to the formulation that best suits your needs and goals. For instance, you may choose a toothpaste for sensitivity, whitening, or tartar buildup. The right toothpaste can truly make your dental hygiene experience much more rewarding.

About Your Conroe General Dentist:

The Dental Centre of Conroe, John M Richards DDS delivers distinctive cosmetic, restorative, and implant dentistry for residents of Conroe, Houston, The Woodlands, Willis, Huntsville, and the neighboring communities. For more information about our services, or to schedule an appointment, contact us by calling (936) 441-4600.