When brushing your teeth, you should move the brush in small circular motions in order to reach any food particles that might be trapped below your gum line. You should hold your toothbrush at an angle and carefully and methodically brush all the areas between your teeth and the front and back surface of each tooth. Make sure you brush every surface of your teeth, including the inside chewing surfaces of all of your teeth and molars. It is also important to remember to brush your tongue and the top of your mouth before you finish brushing.

In order to keep food particles from accumulating and creating plaque, you should brush your teeth two to four times per day:

  • Once in the morning after eating breakfast
  • Once right after lunch, school, or work
  • Once after eating dinner
  • Once before you go to bed

When your toothbrush starts to become worn or frayed, you should replace the brush with a new one. Be sure to maintain the cleanliness of your toothbrush by storing it upright in a position where it can dry out so that bacteria and molds do not accumulate. You should also clean your toothbrush periodically by rinsing it in antibacterial mouthwash or putting it in the dishwasher. It is also important to floss your teeth daily to reduce the risk of plaque buildup and maintain good gum health. To floss properly, you should wrap the ends of the floss around your middle fingers and guide the floss between the teeth all the way to the gum line, dislodging food particles and plaque. Bleeding may occur the first few times you floss, but this should stop after flossing for a few days. If you would like further instructions on how to brush and floss in Ashburn, Virginia, please feel free to contact our friendly dentist and dental team at Ashburn General Dentistry today.