Gently Now: Protect Your Gums When You Brush

Everyone wants pearly white teeth, so of course, we should brush more often, right? That may seem logical, but the answer from Beam Smile Design in Nashville TN is, no!

The problem with brushing too often is that many people wind up brushing too aggressively, leading to gum recession. You don’t want that.

Gum recession is when your gum line exposes more of your teeth, or in severe cases, your tooth root. It creates 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, including tooth loss.

Longer or Harder?

The best way to get pearly whites – and prevent decay – is to brush longer, but with a light touch. 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 and not harder is the key. When you brush your teeth quickly, you may not be getting all the particles of food off. You don’t want the fragments of food to turn into plaque.

If you truly desire whiter teeth, make certain you brush your teeth in a slow, circular motion for at least two minutes. Methodically go over each tooth on every surface. Don’t forget your tongue!

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. The fluoride helps your teeth re-harden after eating or drinking acidic foods and beverages.

Whitening toothpastes can help improve your smile. But to get the whitest teeth possible, ask about professional teeth whitening from Beam Smile Design in Nashville TN. It’s one of our most popular cosmetic dentistry procedures. We serve satisfied patients in East Nashville, Berry Hill, and Bellevue. Contact us today!