Brushing and flossing for wellness beyond the mouth
The importance of daily brushing and flossing extends far beyond the mouth, impacting our overall health and wellness. Decades of research has revealed a significant oral systemic link, connecting our mouths to other various body parts and quite a few chronic medical conditions.
Let’s take a moment to explore the connection between oral health and overall wellness, with a deeper dive into the benefits of proper oral care. We’ll also delve into the significance of brushing basics and flossing done right, highlighting how BURST Oral Care products assist individuals in achieving their oral health goals.
Brushing basics
Good oral health begins with proper brushing techniques. Daily brushing plays a key role for your healthy oral care routine. The rule is twice a day for two minutes each time. This helps remove plaque, bacteria, and food particles, preventing the development of dental issues such as cavities, gum disease, and bad breath.
Proper brushing also stimulates the gums, improving blood circulation and helping ward off stains. BURST Oral Care understands the significance of brushing basics for achieving optimal oral health. Their innovative products are created with the guidance of hygienists and dentists, ensuring each of them is effective and easy to use. Their sonic toothbrushes contain a strong motor paired with super soft bristles that remove up to ten times more plaque than a manual toothbrush.
Did you know your brushing technique should vary quite a bit from one type of brush to another? Check out this video to see how you should use a “slide and glide” method with a sonic toothbrush (https://youtu.be/NeJ3t9OTA24).
Flossing done right
While brushing is crucial, it can only get around 50% of the plaque in your mouth, making flossing equally as important. Gum disease is often left untreated because it doesn’t typically hurt in the early stages.
Flossing removes plaque and food particles from areas that a toothbrush cannot reach, like between the teeth and along the gumline. Flossing can be done with string, plastic or wooden picks, small interdental brushes and water flossers. Skipping flossing can have serious consequences beyond just dental issues.
By flossing regularly, we can minimize the risk of dental infections and all the inflammation that can travel beyond the mouth. Another nice benefit you’ll notice more often? Fresher breath!
Tips for proper flossing (with string)
- Wind an 18-inch piece of floss around the middle finger of each hand.
- Pinch the floss between your thumb and index finger. Leave about 1 to 2 inches between.
- Gently guide the floss between the teeth, forming a C shape around each tooth.
- Slide the floss up and down each tooth making sure to go under the gumline.
- Move the floss to a clean section for each tooth.
Flossing with water?
Let’s be honest, there are a lot of people that can’t, don’t, or won’t use string floss every single day. Hard to access dental work, dexterity issues, and general frustration can all lead to skipping this important step in an oral care routine.
Thankfully, there are many options for interdental cleaning. One of the most popular alternatives is the water flosser. Using a powerful stream of water, these devices dislodge food and bacteria away from areas that a toothbrush cannot reach. They can be used at the sink or in the shower and offer an easier solution for cleaning around crowns, bridges, implants, and braces.
By understanding the oral systemic link and prioritizing brushing and flossing, you can safeguard against numerous systemic conditions and enjoy a healthier life.
BURST Oral Care’s commitment to creating high-quality products in collaboration with hygienists and dentists ensures that you have the tools necessary to achieve your oral health goals effectively and easily. By incorporating BURST products into your daily routine, you can ensure that your oral health goals are met while improving your overall wellness.
Author:
Charlotte Stirk
USA RDH
BURST Ambassador
References:
https://www.burstoralcare.com/clinical
https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2016/11/dont-toss-floss
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/dental/art-20047475
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3100856/