Oral health is the most important thing to avoid cavities and gum disease, and for this, we have to brush our teeth in the correct way, but most of us do not follow this, as many are not even aware of what the proper brushing technique and procedure are. That is why we have created this post to get this information to the masses.
Follow the below easy-to-follow tips to brush your teeth.
1. Choose the right tooth brush.
Do you ever wonder whether your brush is right for your mouth or not?
Generally, this question doesn’t come to mind, but yes, your tooth brush should be adjusted according to your mouth.
Size of tooth brush
Think about the size of your mouth, says Richard H. Price, DMD, consumer advisor for the American Dental Association. “If you are straining to open wide enough to let the brush in, the brush is probably too big,” he says. It should feel good in your mouth and hand, so you’ll use it often.
Bristles of a tooth brush
If bristles are too stiff, they can hurt your gums. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends a soft brush.
Electric or manual?
Whether to go for an electric or manual tooth brush, it should be your personal choice. Electric toothbrushes can make it easier to do a better job, especially if you have arthritis or other trouble with your hands, arms, or shoulders.
2. Brush your teeth at least two times.
You should brush your teeth twice a day. You should brush for at least two minutes. When brushing, divide your mouth into four sections and spend 30 seconds on each.
Also, your brushing time should not be too long; otherwise, plaque will build up and boost your chances of sore gums and other problems.
3. Too much brushing is not ideal.
Do not brush your teeth more than three times a day. It can wear down tooth enamel and damage your gums.
4. Hold your brush at a 45-degree angle.
It is important to hold the brush in the correct way. Hold your brush at a 45-degree angle to your gums and make an up-and-down motion. Use short strokes. Brush the outer and inner tooth surfaces, the back molars, and your tongue too.
5. Switch between whitening toothpaste and regular
Your toothpaste also plays a vital role; do not always go for whitening toothpaste. An increase in whitening Particles can be harmful and sand away tooth structure. You can also use plain old fluoride toothpaste.
If you want to lighten your smile, you can always switch between whitening toothpaste and regular toothpaste.
6. Keep your brush clean.
It’s very important to rinse your brush, as germs from your mouth and teeth can stay on it. You shouldn’t use a disinfectant to cleanse your toothbrush. Just rinse it and let it air-dry. Don’t put it in a case where it will stay damp for a long time.
7. Get a new brush every 3 or 4 months.
Do not use the same brush for a long time. The ADA suggests you get a new brush every 3 or 4 months. also look at bristles, once the bristles lose their normal flexibility and start to break apart, change your toothbrush.
8. Do not store the brush in the bathroom.
Admit it, most of us store our toothbrushes in the bathroom, which is not one of the cleanest places in the house.
To keep yours tidy, stand it up in a holder. If you leave it on the counter, you could expose it to germs from your toilet or sink. Don’t let brushes touch each other if they’re stored together.
9. Brush in the morning and at night
The bacteria get accumulated overnight in the mouth, so it is very important to brush after you wake up. Also, to get rid of the morning breath, we all get it, so brushing in the morning is a standard that pretty much everyone follows, and it is as it should be too.
However, it is very important to brush at night too, before you go to bed. A decent quantity of food particles inevitably gets collected in and around your teeth, which attract bacteria, which subsequently add to the erosion of teeth by attacking the teeth’s enamel.
So, as you can see, it is as important to brush at night too. This helps remove the food particles, inhibit the growth of bacteria, and also helps combat bad breath.
Wash your brush with hot water at night to clean the bacteria off the bristles so that they do not get introduced back to your pearly whites in the morning.
10. Choose your toothpaste.
Go for a fluoride-based one, as they strengthen the teeth by adding to the enamel layer while also being extremely effective in clearing off plaque. Just be careful not to ingest it, as it can cause some health issues if ingested in large quantities. That is why it is not recommended for children either. If you are facing a specific tooth or gum issue, you can look for a toothpaste that targets that particular issue. There is a wide variety of different toothpastes available nowadays that target a host of mouth issues such as sensitivity, tartar, gingivitis, stained teeth, etc.
11. Use an appropriate amount of toothpaste.
Most people do not worry about the quantity of paste and just load up as much as they can onto their brushes.
This practice is not correct, as you are just wasting paste this way, which is actually less effective than if you use the appropriate amount. Just use about a pea’s worth of toothpaste.
You can even take half of the required amount of paste at once and brush the upper teeth first, then take the remaining half and brush the bottom half thoroughly.
Always follow proper procedures all the time, too. Divide your teeth into sections and brush them in a methodical and diligent manner; do not be in a hurry.