Have you ever wondered if you’re brushing your teeth the right way? Even if you brush and floss twice a day, your technique could be off. Brushing incorrectly can leave behind debris and increase your chance of cavities.
We’re going back to the basics by breaking down how to correctly brush your teeth in five steps because we believe everyone deserves a healthy smile!
To brush your teeth correctly, you must start with the right toothbrush. Soft bristles will serve your smile the best. Studies have shown that powered toothbrushes are slightly better at reducing plaque and gum disease! So, if the idea of an electric toothbrush gets you excited to brush your teeth, more power to you (and your toothbrush)!
Brushing your teeth is an important part of your dental care routine. For a healthy mouth and smile the ADA recommends you:
- Brush your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled brush. The size and shape of your brush should fit your mouth allowing you to reach all areas easily.
- Replace your toothbrush every three or four months, or sooner if the bristles are frayed. A worn toothbrush won’t do a good job of cleaning your teeth.
- Make sure to use an ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste.
5 tips for brushing
Tip #1
Use a soft-bristled brush that fits in your mouth comfortably. You should be able to easily reach all areas of your mouth.
Tip #2
Angles are everything. Be sure your toothbrush is positioned at a 45-degree angle.
Tip #3:
Be sure to brush each surface of every tooth – inside, outside and top. Spend extra time on the gum line.
Tip #4:
Use the end of your toothbrush to clean the inside surfaces of your front teeth. Don’t neglect the back sides of your teeth!
Tip #5:
Brush your tongue to remove bacteria. This helps to keep bad breath at bay and taste buds healthy. Some opt for tongue scrapers, but you can use your toothbrush, as well!
7 Tooth Brushing Tips for Perfect Results Every Time
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.