3 Tips for Better Teeth Brushing
Published on Apr 01 by Daniel Guidera under Dentistry
Brush for a healthy mouth!
Good dental hygiene starts with your everyday routine.
Brushing your teeth is one of the best things you can do at home for oral health and the tips below can help you maximize your brushing efforts.
The Right Equipment
Start with a soft bristled, good quality toothbrush. You don’t have to get fancy with an electronic toothbrush, which may actually propagate lazy brushing, but do ensure your toothbrush has been used for less than 3 months.
Getting a new toothbrush every 3 months ensures bacteria isn’t growing on the thing you put in your mouth every day as well as ensuring it is in good condition to do its job. Frayed bristles don’t clean well and can irritate your gums.
Pick a toothpaste brand that meets all of your personal requirements. If you have sensitive teeth, be sure to pick a brand that works for you and doesn’t make your sensitivity any worse.
Nearly every toothpaste on the market contains fluoride for healthy teeth. There are fluoride-free options should you choose to use these. Most dentists will recommend using fluoride toothpaste but discuss with your dentist if you’re having any doubts.
If whitening is a priority for your dental health, pick a toothpaste that isn’t too harsh but still gets the job done. Your dentist can recommend a good brand for you and it may take some trial and error to find the right toothpaste for you.
The Right Time
Brushing for too short of time is not be as beneficial as brushing for the full two minutes recommended. That’s right, two whole minutes.
Find a song that is two minutes long and make it part of your daily routine. Use a stopwatch. Set a timer and grab a book, whatever it takes to get those two minutes in.
However you time your two minutes, just be sure to turn the water off while you’re brushing!
Brush your teeth twice a day, every day. At home care is just as important as dental visits and dedication to oral health is your responsibility. This also sets a great example for your little ones who mirror everything you do.
The Right Technique
Ensure you brush not just your teeth but also your tongue and (gently!) brush your gums. Use short, circular strokes and be sure to concentrate on the teeth further back and the tops where food and sugars are most likely to get stuck, causing cavities.
Flossing is just important, if not more so, than brushing.
Try flossing your teeth before brushing to ensure all the bits of food and debris are brushed away and rinsed down the drain.
Flossing before brushing also allows for more coverage for your fluoride toothpaste and any whitening agents in the whitening toothpaste you have elected to use.
Getting the most out of a good habit is a great step in the right direction toward excellent oral health and these tips for better teeth brushing can help!
Now is a great time to schedule your next dental cleaning and show off the good work you’ve been doing at home!
Image: kinjosan