We are all very well aware of how important it is to brush your teeth at least two times each day, plus flossing and using mouthwash, but why are all of those steps necessary? Doesn’t brushing your teeth do enough to avoid some of those steps, at least some of the time? The answer is no. Brushing your teeth does not do enough to keep your mouth healthy, and skipping some of your normal routine can result in you having more issues with your teeth than those who do not skip any of these steps.
Understanding Brushing Your Teeth
What would you say if you found out that brushing is only able to get to approximately 25% of the bacteria in your mouth? That’s right. There is far more surface area of your mouth than just the surfaces of your teeth. You need to be able to get to all of these sources of bacteria in order to keep your mouth clean and healthy, and minimize the damage that it does every moment it is left in your mouth.
Mouthwash Gets to A Lot More
Mouthwash is able to get to a lot more places in your mouth than just on the surfaces of your teeth. It gets into the dark recesses of your mouth between your cheeks and gums, it gets under your tongue, and it even gets into the top part of your throat if you gargle like you should. These are places that your toothbrush is not able to help with.
Flossing is able to get to the tight places between your teeth that toothbrushes, and even sometimes mouthwash, just cannot reach. These areas are prone to cavities because they are often overlooked or not cleaned as thoroughly as they could be.
When it comes to keeping your entire mouth healthy, you need to do more than this three step routine. You also need to include regular cleanings and checkups with your dentist. That’s why we are here. Come in and see us at River Valley Smile Center and let us help be that final step in your oral care routine. Brush, floss, and swish twice each day, and come see us at least every six months. Between your routine, and ours, we can make sure that your teeth stay looking beautiful and strong for many years to come.
