How To Properly Brush Your Teeth

Why are we writing this post? Simply put, because it’s always good to have a refresher and a reminder when it comes to maintaining an effective dental care routine. In the past, we’ve discussed at length the act of flossing as well as understanding when & why you should change your toothbrush. However, we haven’t recently dug deeply into the correct method of actually brushing your teeth, so here we go! 

To ensure that you’re doing everything you can to achieve a healthy mouth and a confident smile, make sure that you follow these toothbrushing tips to enhance your dental care routine:

• At a minimum, brush at least 2 times per day for a period of 2 minutes during each brushing session. 
• We recommend using an appropriately sized & shaped soft-bristled brush so that you can reach all areas of the mouth easily.
• Be mindful of how long you’ve been using a single toothbrush; it’s important to change it every 3-4 months so that you’re not using a brush with worn bristles as this will not be an effective tool. The same reasoning applies to your electric toothbrush heads.

And now for the toothbrushing technique that you should employ during your dental care routine:

• Position your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle from the gums.
• Move the brush back and forth, gently, in short strokes no wider than the width of your tooth.
• Start by brushing the outer surfaces of each tooth and then move to the inner surfaces, and finally the chewing surfaces of all teeth.
• When cleaning the inside surfaces of your front teeth, make sure that you tilt the brush vertically and perform up-and-down strokes.
• In addition to brushing your teeth, you’ll also want to brush your tongue to remove bacteria and to prevent bad breath.

As you know, brushing your teeth is only part of a comprehensive oral health and dental care routine. Other factors to keep in mind in addition to brushing your teeth twice per day include:

• Flossing daily; cleaning between your teeth is integral to removing bacteria that cause tooth decay. Floss can remove plaque and food particles found between your teeth or under the gum line more easily than a toothbrush can.
• Focusing on eating a balanced diet that protects your tooth enamel; and try to refrain from indulging in those sugary snacks that can damage your teeth, including soda and “sugar-free” drinks, that we often crave more intensely during the summer months.
• Keeping up with your bi-annual cleanings and contacting your dentist any time you feel you may be experiencing a dental emergency.

Have questions for us? Ask away! We welcome you to contact our office whenever you need dental care assistance.