Everyone wants nice, pearly whites, so we should brush our teeth more, right? At Koch Park Dental in Florissant, we think only issue with that is many people brush too aggressively, leading to receding gums. You don’t want that.
Gum recession is when your gum line exposes too much of your teeth, or in severe cases, your tooth root. It results in a pocket of space between your teeth and gum line. Decay-causing bacteria can grow and fester in that pocket. This leads to serious issues down the line. Even tooth loss.
Longer or Harder?
A common misconception is the idea that if you want to brighten your teeth, you should scrub them really hard.
The best way to get pearly whites (and prevent decay) is to brush longer, not harder. Gently brush your teeth until they’re squeaky clean. Run your tongue over them. Doesn’t that feel great?
When you are finished brushing, it’s time to floss. Be sure to get the floss down into the pocket between the gum and teeth.
Why?
Brushing longer, not harder, is the key. When you brush your teeth swiftly, you may not be getting all the bits of food off. You don’t want the bits of food to turn into plaque.
If you truly want whiter teeth, be certain you brush your teeth in a slow, circular motion for as close to five minutes as you can. Methodically go over each tooth on every surface. Plus your tongue. If five minutes is impossible, make sure you brush for at least two minutes. Set a timer on your phone. Play your favorite two-minute song.
Use a whitening toothpaste with fluoride. That way, you get all the recent gunk off and your teeth get a little bit whiter each time you brush. And the fluoride helps your teeth remineralize after eating or drinking enamel-weakening acidic foods and beverages.
Let’s Review
If you’re not careful, the way you brush your teeth can lead to gum recession. Gum recession can (and most likely will) cause a space to form between your teeth and gum line. This pocket collects bacteria. Bacteria causes tooth decay. Plus, if the gums continue to recede, the tooth can become loose.
Next, we discussed the appropriate motion and duration to brush your teeth. Finally, we went over the reasoning behind why all the aforementioned things are so important. Remember, you want a slow, circular motion for two to five minutes.
If your gums are already showing signs of recession, don’t despair. Pick up the phone and schedule an appointment with Koch Park Dental in Florissant. Our services include general and cosmetic dentistry. Schedule an appointment today!
Contact Koch Park Dental – Martin L. Buchheit, DDS:
205-933-0323
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
2149 Charbonier Rd
Florissant, Missouri
63033
