Make Sure You Are Brushing For Two Minutes!

Brushing your teeth is a standard part of your day by now. However, could it be so mundane in your daily activities, that you aren’t really aware of what you’re doing. It’s sort of like being on auto-pilot. At Maiden Lane Dental of New York, NY we want to remind our patients that brushing should be performed for about two minutes to ensure you are brushing properly. Take these tips we have gathered for making sure you spend about two minutes brushing!

The simplest way to keep track of time, of course, is to count. This can be made easy by just counting to thirty, four times. In addition, for each thirty seconds, brush one-quarter of your mouth.

Because most music players have a timer on them, another great way to keep track of your time is to listen to your favorite song while brushing. Not only will you enjoy your time brushing, but the time will seem to go by quicker! Just be sure you are hitting all the surfaces of your mouth!

For an interesting (and decorative) way to track two minutes, purchase an hour glass! For this purpose, you would really get a minute glass and flip it over twice. It’s nifty décor at its finest!

If all else fails, just set a timer on your phone, a kitchen timer, or a stopwatch. Any way that you’re aware of how long you spend brushing is great! To schedule a cleaning and examination with Maiden Lane Dental of New York, NY, call our office at (212) 509-4585 or visit our website, www.maidenlanedental.com.

Brush Properly to Prevent Gum Disease

Plaque is a thin, sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on your teeth and can lead to gingivitis, a form of gum disease. Gum disease is common, and, if left untreated, may lead to bone loss around the teeth. At Maiden Lane Dental, we want our patients to prevent gingivitis before it turns into a more serious form of gum disease called periodontitis and this starts by brushing your teeth. It is easy to get your mouth clean and healthy and keep it that way. Here’s a simple brushing routine to help you prevent most dental problems:

• Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against the gums.


• Move the brush back and forth gently in short (tooth-wide) strokes.


• Brush the outer tooth surfaces, the inner tooth surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.


• Use the tip of the brush to clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, using a gentle up-and-down stroke.


• Brush your tongue to remove bacteria.

If you have questions about oral hygiene or the services we provide, give us a call or visit www.maidenlanedental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors here at Maiden Lane Dental in New York, NY, call 212-509-4585.