Brushing your teeth is such an ingrained habit that we often don’t think about whether we are doing it effectively. These 10 tips will help you to brush your teeth better and will help increase your oral health.
TIP #1 USE THE RIGHT TOOTHBRUSH
Choose a toothbrush that fits well in your mouth and comfortably in your hand. Find a toothbrush that is still comfortable when you are brushing your back teeth and you will be more likely to brush them well.
And to answer the manual versus electric toothbrush debate; it all comes down to preference. A person who brushes well with a manual toothbrush will brush well with an electric one. It really isn’t the toothbrush, it is the person brushing the teeth.
TIP #2 PICK THE RIGHT BRISTLES
Generally, toothbrushes are sold with soft, medium, or hard bristles. For the vast majority of people, a soft-bristled toothbrush will be the most comfortable and safest choice. Depending on how vigorously you brush your teeth and the strength of your teeth, medium- and hard-bristled brushes could actually damage the gums, root surface, and protective tooth enamel. For even more tooth protection when you brush, be sure the bristles on the toothbrush you select have rounded tips.
TIP #3 BRUSH OFTEN ENOUGH
Brushing your teeth 3 times daily is ideal. Excessive brushing can expose you to tooth and/or gum irritaion. The key to brushing is to brush gently for 2-3 minutes each time.
TIP #4 USE A PEA SIZED AMOUNT OF TOOTHPASTE
In many toothpaste ads you see the user put a long swath of toothpaste on their brush. This is completely unnecessary. A dot about the size of a pea should suffice for every brushing.
TIP #5 BRUSHING TECHNIQUE – UP AND DOWN
Long horizontal strokes along the gumline can cause problems.You should aim your bristles at the gum line at a 45-degree angle and do short strokes. Softly brush up and down your teeth, not across. The strokes should be vertical or circular, not horizontal.
TIP #6 MAKE SURE YOU RINSE
Make sure you rinse off your toothbrush after brushing and then put it in a place where it can dry. Otherwise you risk allowing bacteria to grow on your brush and re-enter your mouth when you brush again. And rinse out your mouth with water or mouthwash after brushing to get rid of food particles and loosened plaque.
TIP #7 WHEN TO REPLACE
It is recommended that you replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months, or as soon as you see the bristles start fraying. Regularly inspect your bristles and if they are fraying or breaking it is time to pick up another brush.
If you have any other questions about brushing please feel free to contact us at our office 435-257-5678 or by using the form on our contact page.