Throughout our life we are told over and over how much tooth and gum health are directly impacted by how we brush our teeth. Dentists recommend brushing your teeth at least twice per day for at least 2 minutes each time. One-in-five Americans still brush their teeth less than twice a day according to a study conducted Crest and the American Dental Association.
More than 43% of Americans don’t know when it is time to change their toothbrush. That means almost half of the people in the United States are brushing their teeth with an old, outdated, worn out toothbrush. When brushing your teeth, it is important to be as thorough as possible, clean at an angle, work your gums, and take your time. Brushing your teeth is a marathon, not a sprint. It is a good idea to change your paradigm from “brushing your teeth” to “cleaning your mouth.” With that said, is brushing enough by itself?
Flossing Maintains Proper Tooth and Gum Health
Only half of the people in the US floss daily, even though all Dentists recommend this as a proper oral hygiene regimen on a consistent basis. Even worse, 10% of all Americans claim they never floss at all. When first creating the habit of flossing on a daily basis, it is important to remember that over time it becomes faster and easier. The best way to remove dangerous plaque and food particles between your teeth and gum is flossing. Gum health begins with a regular floss regimen.
Be sure to look for PTFE dental floss when buying your next floss. Nylon floss is made of multiple threads and could shred when used, which doesn’t happen with PTFE. You should use about 18 inches of floss wound tightly around your fingers. Then you should curve the floss around your tooth and pull it back and forth being sure to work the gum as well. Also important to remember, use a clean part of the floss each time you move on to a new tooth.
Dental Issues Lead to Serious Health Conditions
When most people think of issues caused by lack of dental care, they think of things like gingivitis, gum disease, cavities, dentures, etc. Situations like these can lead to the need for root canals, etc., this is only the tip of the iceberg. Clinical Research has shown that bacteria from an unhealthy mouth can harm other parts of the body as well. It can lead to heart disease, diabetes, respiratory illness, as well as other conditions. Almost 90% of all systemic diseases have signs inside the mouth.
Don’t Become Another Statistic
SS Family Dentistry doesn’t want you to experience increasing health issues from poor oral hygiene. If you want to ensure you have the healthiest teeth, gums, and mouth possible, be sure to contact us today and schedule an appointment, or just give us a call:
Holly Springs Office: 919-600-6262
Cary Office: 919-467-2203