Fort Worth dentist, Dr. Renee Corbitt, wants patients to use proper brushing technique

Prevention is the best dental service, according to general Fort Worth dentist, Dr. Renee Corbitt, and proper brushing avoids harmful plaque build-up, freshens breath and fights cavities and gum disease. Learn how best to brush.

Brush your teeth twice a day for 2 minutes. The American Dental Association recommends this hygiene routine to keep teeth and gums healthy and breath fresh. Along with daily flossing and semi-annual check-ups and cleanings with Fort Worth dentist Renee Corbitt DDS, brushing is simple and effective.

What’s the best way to brush your teeth?

While brushing is uncomplicated, there are some basic rules that help kids and adults do a good job.

1. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a quality fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride remains a great cavity fighter, strengthening enamel day by day.
2. For kids under 6, apply a pea-sized strip of paste. For older kids, teens and adults, go the length of the bristles.
3. Place the brush at a 45-degree angle to teeth and gums, and brush with short, back and forth strokes. Take your time, brushing one section of your teeth and gums at a time.
4. For front teeth, orient the brush vertically, and scrub the inside surfaces with an up and down motion. For molars, hit those grooved chewing surfaces.
5. Brush gums, tongue, cheeks and roof of the mouth, too, as these structures collect sticky plaque and bacteria.
6. Brush for 2 full minutes, and rinse with water. Some people like mouthwashes, but they are not really necessary.
7. Supervise children to be sure they are using proper technique and brushing long enough. Adults might try timing their own sessions at the sink to see if they really are brushing for 2 full minutes.
8. Floss between and around teeth once a day with your favorite floss. Flossing eliminates plaque and tartar between teeth where a brush cannot reach and at the gumline, too.
9. Denture wearers should brush any remaining teeth and also tongue, palate, cheeks and gums to remove plaque, freshen breath and stimulate circulation. Use pastes or soaks recommended for dentures as regular toothpaste may be too abrasive and breakdown denture materials.

Replace your toothbrush

Get a new toothbrush every 2 to 3 months. Also, replace it after having a serious cold or bout with the flu. Some toothbrushes have wear indicators on the bristles which tell you when to get a new brush.

Also, with any brush, toothpaste, denture cleaner, floss and so on, look for the American Dental Association’s Seal of Acceptance. This indicates a quality product.

Ask the Dr. Corbitt’s team about brushing

Don’t be shy. Talk to Fort Worth dentist Dr. Corbitt and your hygienist about the best way to brush your teeth. Getting a little  “refresher course” in this highly beneficial habit will pay off in a healthy, long-lasting smile. Contact the office for a routine exam and cleaning.