A key part of good oral and dental care is making sure you’re using the proper tooth brushing techniques. Without the right methods in place, you could be missing out on the benefits of having a squeaky clean mouth.
Even if you think you’re brushing your teeth the right way, there are a few techniques you might not be aware of that can improve your daily routine.
Read on for a list of seven tooth brushing techniques that will give you perfect results every time you pick up your toothbrush.
1. Be Gentle
You might think that the harder you brush your teeth, the more plaque and debris you’ll remove. However, using a “hard” bristled toothbrush or scrubbing too vigorously can do more harm than good.
Switch out your current toothbrush with one that uses soft bristles. Use a gentle motion as you brush your teeth and avoid scrubbing too rough on the teeth and gums.
Take your time when you brush your teeth and make sure you’re covering the entire mouth from back to front. When you go gentle, it’s much easier on the tender gum tissue and more effective than rigorous scrubbing.
2. Develop a Tooth Brushing Routine
It can be easy to skip oral care, especially if you’re living a busy lifestyle. Make time to brush your teeth twice per day, and floss at least once each day.
When you brush your teeth, you should do so for at least two full minutes or more. Use a timer to help you count the seconds, and continue brushing at least until you reach the two-minute mark.
Bring a spare tube of toothpaste and toothbrush with you to work and keep it inside your desk drawer if you’re worried about time constraints. Once you develop a regular routine, it’s easy to make brushing your teeth part of your daily and nightly rituals.
3. Consider Switching to Electric
For years, a regular or manual toothbrush was considered the standard, but today’s electric toothbrushes are far superior. Make the switch from manual to electric so you can experience an amazing difference in the way your mouth looks and feels.
If you’re concerned about price, there are several manufacturers who sell electric toothbrushes at a reasonable price. These dental tools do an amazing job of thoroughly scrubbing plaque away from the teeth and along the gumline.
Electric toothbrushes take some getting used to, but they’re well worth the investment. Just make sure you change the brush head on a regular basis for hygiene reasons and because they can be less effective over time as they wear out.
4. Follow Simple Flossing Tips
Flossing is a great way to remove excess plaque and food from in-between your teeth. Ideally, you should floss once per day using a high-quality coated floss.
When you use dental floss, be very gentle and use a back-and-forth motion. Use a new section of the floss whenever you start to go between a new tooth.
After you’re done flossing, follow up with a good oral rinse. Avoid mouthwashes that contain alcohol since they can cause dry mouth which results in bad breath and a feeling of being dehydrated. If you don’t have mouthwash, rinsing with water will do.
5. Pay Attention to Your Entire Mouth
It’s easy to just put the focus on the front teeth when you brush since they’re the ones you can see. However, neglecting your molars and back teeth can result in cavities and other oral health issues.
Start your tooth brushing from the back and slowly work your way toward the front. This will ensure that you’re getting every single tooth and not neglecting the all-important back teeth.
Another great way to remember to brush each tooth is to start the process in sections. Spend time brushing the back quadrants of your mouth, then graduate toward the front quadrants. Use a timer to make sure you’re brushing each section of your mouth equally.
6. Use the Correct Angle
A common tooth brushing mistake is that people tend to brush directly on the teeth with the toothbrush placed flat on the teeth’s surface. Instead, use a 45-degree angle whenever you brush and start at the gumline.
As you move the brush, go back and forth in short strokes across each tooth. Brush your outer, inner, and chewing surfaces to make sure you’ve covered every surface.
When you focus on the inside surfaces of your front teeth, make sure you tilt the brush vertically. Use several up-and-down strokes to get this difficult spot clean. When you use the proper angle as you brush, it makes a big difference in how effective your tooth brushing is.
7. Remember the Tongue and Cheeks
Your tongue can be a safe harbor for germs and food particles to sit, which can promote tooth decay. Use a tongue scraper to gently remove any excess “gunk” that could be left on your tongue.
Another way to clean your mouth better is to also brush the inside of your cheeks. This isn’t something that many people think about, but it can make your entire mouth feel cleaner.
Focus on the tongue and inside of your cheeks at least once a day if you can. When you scrape away the excess “stuff,” your entire mouth will feel better.
Brush Wisely
Now that you know some effective tooth brushing tips, you can enjoy a cleaner, healthier mouth. Make time to brush and floss daily and try an electric toothbrush for a more effective clean.
Be gentle with your teeth and gums with a soft-bristled brush. Practice other good habits like flossing, scraping your tongue and brushing for two minutes.
For more on dental care or to schedule an appointment, visit our website today.