How Often Should You Brush and Floss Your Teeth?

The ADA recommends brushing your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste for at least two minutes. Brushing helps remove plaque and food stuck in your teeth. However, plaque tends to also accumulate in places between the teeth, and brushing may not be enough to remove these. You can avoid gingivitis that may progress into periodontitis by brushing and flossing.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, using an interdental cleaner like floss is essential to keeping your teeth and gums healthy. They can clean hard-to-reach surfaces and reduce the likelihood of tooth decay and gum diseases.

What Happens When the Plaque Isn't Removed

If you don't remove plaque stuck in your teeth, it can harden into tartar and can only be removed through professional dental cleaning. Brushing can become difficult when they harden, and your gum tissue may swell. This leads to an early gum disease that you should avoid. The only way to effectively clean your teeth is by brushing and flossing regularly.

When is the Best Time to Brush and Floss your Teeth?

It's recommended that you brush twice a day — preferably after a meal and before bed. Some people prefer to floss before bedtime to ensure their mouth is clean. Others prefer to do it in the morning. There's no better time to floss — the most important thing is that you do it regularly, which fits well with your schedule.

Just remember never to reuse floss as it's not recommended. Used floss may deposit more bacteria into your mouth and is no longer that effective at cleaning.

Other Types of Interdental Cleaners

While floss is flexible and effective, you can use other alternatives such as pre-threaded flossers, floss picks, water flossers and tiny brushes. You may want to buy interdental brushes available in different sizes and are designed to reach the spaces between the teeth.

For those with braces, make sure that you floss regularly and use a fluoride rinse recommended by your dentist. In addition to regular brushing and flossing, it's advised that you see a dentist regularly for professional dental cleaning.

Contact Howe Dental

Regular dental cleanings are a crucial part of your oral hygiene. During your visit, the dentist will thoroughly check your teeth to find out if there are issues that may need to be addressed, such as gingivitis or cavities. They can also detect early signs of dental problems that may lead to tooth loss and other serious complications.

If you need a dentist downtown, don't hesitate to contact Howe Dental. Our Vancouver dental check-up and professional cleaning ensure that your teeth are in excellent health. Contact us today for an appointment.

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