Glendale Family Dentist Helps You Optimize Your Daily Brushing Routine

Written by Dr. McKay on Jun 11, 2024

When you adopt a thorough at-home oral hygiene routine, you help set your smile up for success for years to come. Our Glendale dentists know that you are brushing your smile twice a day, as recommended by the American Dental Association and our dental team, but we are here to help you take your brushing routine to the next level!

Take a look at your existing oral hygiene habits, and consider whether you can make any of these useful tweaks to your routine!

Pay attention to your brush—you want to make sure that you are using the right tools to clean your teeth. When choosing a toothbrush, pick one that has a brush head that can fit into the smallest back corners of your smile—this is crucial for cleaning your back molars. Also, talk to your dentist about what type of bristle is right for you; soft bristles are sufficient for many dental patients, and firmer bristles may actually cause enamel erosion.

Be patient—many people are surprised to learn that they should be brushing for a full two minutes every time that they brush. It is a good idea to set a timer for two minutes or listen to a song that is about two minutes long, while you get used to this length of time, as it can be hard to judge.

Timing matters—you want to make sure that you are brushing your teeth in the morning, to clear away plaque that has developed at night, and right before bed, to refresh your smile before you go to sleep. It is also best to, at night, brush your teeth right after you floss; flossing dislodges that hard-to-reach plaque, and brushing clears it out of your mouth!

Our Glendale dentists are here to help you make the most of your daily oral hygiene routine. Give our office a call to get more information and to schedule a consultation with our team!