How to practice good hygiene - maintain a beautiful smile
Buying anything new makes you feel great. The novelty shows radiance, beauty and youth…much like a youthful, bright smile. Over the years, your teeth naturally lose the vibrancy they once had. But with proper care and maintenance, you can restore the beauty of your teeth.
How to brush your teeth
You learn how to brush your teeth at a relatively young age. However, most people brush in hazardous strokes with too little time. When you brush, gently circle the outer and inner surfaces as well as the chewing surfaces of your teeth. If you brush too roughly, you may deteriorate your enamel, causing your gums to recede.
Brushing your teeth requires between three to five minutes of gentle, circular motions. Most people brush for less than one minute.
Many dentists recommend power toothbrushes with two minute timers as most of us fail to brush our teeth for an adequate amount of time. With a power toothbrush, all you have to focus on is where to direct the brush—the brush does the work.
Regardless of your dedication to at-home tooth care, you should visit your dentist every six months for professional cleanings and check-ups.
Flossing: A cliché that works
Every dentist will tell you to floss. Every piece of literature regarding oral care will tell you to floss. And most people don’t.
Flossing requires dedication and skill.
Some helpful flossing tips:
1) Use about 15 inches of floss. Wrap the floss around the middle fingers of both hands.
2) With the floss between your index fingers and thumbs, move it gently back and forth. When you’ve moved the floss past the meeting point between your teeth, shift to an up and down motion.
3) Stop as soon as you hit your gums, gently continuing to floss up and down.
4) Repeat to every tooth.