What if what you were told about cleaning your teeth was completely wrong? Have you been brushing your teeth incorrectly?
Brushing your teeth properly and regularly protects your teeth AND your health!
Many of us brush our teeth mechanically without paying attention to what we are doing. It’s time to get back to basics and learn how to get the most out of your daily tooth brushing.
Get the right equipment
Find the best toothbrush. Don’t go for the cheapest one you can find. You want a brush that fits your mouth and your hand. If you have motor coordination issues, try an oversized handle that will make it easier to grasp and manipulate. Electric or manual is up to you, but make sure that you get something with soft bristles that won’t hurt your gums.
Good toothpaste is important. Many people stick to one type all the time. If you use tartar control or whitening toothpaste every single time, you can actually wear down the enamel on your teeth. Regular fluoride toothpaste is good for everyday use.
Brush long enough
If you’re done in less than a minute, you aren’t brushing enough. Think of your mouth as having four sections (top right, top left, bottom right, bottom left). Brush each section for thirty seconds (two minutes total). You can either count to thirty in your head as you brush, or you can get a hi-tech toothbrush with a timer that lets you know when the time is up.
The best way to protect your teeth is by brushing your teeth regularly.
Brush correctly
Many scrub their teeth as if they will tear out any food or germs by force. If you have an electric toothbrush, let the brush do the work. If you’re using a manual brush, lightly brush across the teeth and gums so you don’t do damage. Brush up and down gently and be sure to get every spot of your teeth and your tongue.
Dr. Mike Mavrostomos is passionate and top-quality comprehensive care dentist located in Bedminster, NJ whose continual pursuit of education and state-of-the-art dentistry has led to his being recognized as one of New Jersey’s Top Dentists by the New Jersey Top-Docs committee. Check out our website, reviews, & Facebook page. Connect with us and learn!