Are you doing all you can to prevent cavities and gum disease? Our Shelton, CT, dentists, Dr. Michael Caserta and Dr. Adrian Basu of Dental Associates of Shelton, discuss how you can improve your oral hygiene routine.

Brush longer

A quick swish of the brush might make your mouth feel fresher, but speedy brushing may leave behind cavity-causing plaque. Brushing your teeth too quickly may not eliminate every speck of plaque from your teeth. Unfortunately, your risk of tooth decay rises the longer the sticky bacterial film remains on your teeth.

Plaque soon hardens into tartar, a hard deposit that can cause gum disease. Tartar is so hard that it can only be removed during a thorough dental cleaning in our Shelton office. Luckily, it's easy to protect your teeth from the effects of both plaque and tartar by brushing for at least two minutes every morning and evening.

Make time for flossing

When you're in a hurry to get to work or school, it's not always easy to find an extra minute or two to floss. Unfortunately, if you neglect this crucial oral hygiene task, your risk of both tooth decay and gum disease increases. Tartar can irritate your gums, causing gingivitis, the mildest phase of gum disease. Flossing not only removes plaque between teeth but also gets rid of food particles that can cause bad breath.

Use the proper technique

Good technique is the key to protecting your smile. Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle and brush using short circular strokes. Make sure you've thoroughly cleaned each tooth before moving on to the next one.

Both brushing and flossing require only gentle pressure. Vigorous brushing can erode your tooth enamel and damage your gums. Flossing too enthusiastically may also hurt your gums. When you floss, use a soft touch when you move the string or tape up and down between your teeth.

Choose the best tools

Avoid using a one-size-fits-all approach when you buy oral care supplies. Select a brush with soft bristles, and pay attention to the size of the toothbrush head. If you have a small mouth, consider using a child's brush to make brushing easier. Both manual and power brushes offer an excellent way to clean your teeth. Power brushes can be particularly helpful if you have arthritis or another condition that makes it hard to manipulate the brush.

Keep your smile bright and health with good oral hygiene and regular dental examinations. Call our Shelton, CT, dentists, Dr. Caserta and Dr. Basu of Dental Associates of Shelton, at (203) 924-4115 to schedule your appointment.