Dr. Kenneth J. Wolnik, a dentist in Parma Heights, provides helpful hints on best practices for brushing and flossing for both children and their parents.
How to Brush Your Teeth
Did you know: For optimal oral health, you should brush your teeth for two minutes, two times a day.
- Hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against your gumline.
- Apply just enough pressure to feel the bristles firmly on your gums, without squishing them.
- Use short strokes and a scrubbing motion to clean the outside, inside and chewing surfaces of your teeth.
- To fully clean your mouth and get rid of bad breath, brush the surface of your tongue with the bristles or bumpy surface on the head of your toothbrush.
How to Properly Floss Your Teeth
- Wrap the end of an 18-inch piece of floss around the middle finger of one hand, and then the other.
- Pull the floss taught, but be careful not to cut the circulation off of your fingertips.
- With your dominant hand, grasp the floss with your thumb and index finger and slowly wiggle it between two teeth.
- When the floss reaches the gumline, use a swooping, “C” motion along the gums and teeth to remove food particles and bacteria.
- Repeat this process for each tooth, using a clean section of floss each time.
Brushing Myths Busted
An electric toothbrush is more effective than a regular toothbrush. As long as you thoroughly and properly brush your teeth, it doesn’t really matter whether you use an electric or manual toothbrush.
The more you brush, the better. Over-brushing can cause the enamel, or hard protective layer on the surface of your teeth, to wear away. It can also cause the gums to recede, which can lead to tooth sensitivity and other periodontal problems.
You don’t have to floss every day. Flossing is critical for your dental health. It removes food particles and bacteria that get lodged between your teeth and your toothbrush can’t reach. The best way to remember to floss every day is by incorporating it into your regular routine. Also, you can explore alternate ways to floss, such as using floss picks.
Visit Kenneth J. Wolnik, DDS, at 6363 York Road, Suite 202, Parma Heights. Call 440-888-5055 or visit drwolnik.com.
