Brushing teeth is the most basic and also the most vital element of good dental hygiene. At minimum you should be brushing at least twice a day, an extra brush in the middle of the day wouldn’t be a bad idea. For most people you want to find a soft bristled tooth brush that will not cause any damage to your enamel or gums when brushed. Many dentists have reported increased damage done by the use of hard bristled tooth brushes; only use these if your dentist has especially recommended one. Recent studies have also found the brushing more frequently than three times a day is unlikely to have much impact on your dental health, in fact over brushing can be an issue and cause more damage than help.
Throughout the day and night food and plaque can build up on your teeth. Plaque will gradually degrade the enamel of your teeth, this is called ‘tooth decay’. The most common effect of tooth decay is the development of holes, or ‘cavities’, in your teeth. Cavities will continue to increase in size without proper treatment. Not only will the diameter of the cavity increase, allowing more plaque to build up inside, but the hole will become deeper until the inner core of ‘dentin’ and ‘root’ are damaged and destroyed.
Tooth decay will cause serious pain and discomfort and can lead to the need to remove your teeth. While your dentist will be able to offer you treatments if tooth decay occurs, the best option is to take preventative care. The best form of prevention is brushing your teeth. When brushing you remove all the food particles and plaque that can build up over time, reducing the chances of tooth decay. Ask your Leeds dentist for advice on the most effective way to brush your teeth.
Tags: brushing teeth, dental health, Leeds Dentist, Leeds Dentist Brushing Teeth
