Brushing your teeth is vital for the health of your teeth and gums, and if you want to prevent tooth decay and other serious issues like gingivitis and periodontitis, it is important that you learn how to brush.
Your toothbrush is the first step to proper brushing. Choose a soft bristled brush that will gently massage your gums. Hard bristled toothbrushes can actually damage the soft tissue along your gum line.
If you have been using the same toothbrush for the last six months, it is time for a new one. Those bristles lose flexibility when they wear out. Dr. Ghahremani recommends that you buy a new soft bristled toothbrush every two or three months. Once the bristles become flat and start to lose shape, you know it is time for a new toothbrush. Old toothbrushes can also cause infections because of bacteria build up.
Squeeze a small amount of fluoride toothpaste on your toothbrush. Fluoride toothpaste will help to strengthen the enamel on your teeth and help remove the thin film on your teeth, also known as plaque. If you apply too much you could be foaming at the mouth causing you to spit out and finish brushing too early.
Place the bristles of your toothbrush along the line of your gums at 45 degrees. Brush gently using a circular and vertical motion. Never brush directly across.
Brush each spot for about 15 seconds. Make sure that you brush every tooth. Brushing in quadrants may help. Spend about 30 seconds per quadrant before moving on to the next area. Try to spend a total of two minutes brushing your teeth.
happy girl with toothbrushMake sure to brush all of your molars by positioning your toothbrush with the bristles resting on the molars. Go in and out and move from the back to the front. Start with the bottom, flip your toothbrush, and continue to work on your top molars.
Make sure that you brush the inside of your teeth by tipping the toothbrush up towards the gum line. Westwood Family Dental will tell you that the insides of your lower and upper front teeth are the most commonly missed.
After brushing gently, clean the top of your tongue. Be careful not to brush too hard as you could damage your tongue tissue. After brushing, rinse your mouth out with water.
Rinse your toothbrush after every use and keep it stored up right. Keep it uncovered so it has plenty of time to dry out before you use it again.
Brushing properly is the first step in preventative tooth care.
