Are you brushing your teethWhen you are not in the dentist’s chair, it’s easy to stop thinking about your dental hygiene. Of course you brush your teeth, but you may not be paying a lot of attention to the technique you’re using or the results of the basic morning and nighttime task. If you are wondering the best way to brush your teeth, read on to see how to hold the brush, how to scrub your teeth, and how to get between the crevices.
Why You Should Care
That stuff you feel when you run your tongue over your teeth? That’s plaque, and it’s not good for your mouth. The more you have, the more likely it is the bacteria within will either eat away at your teeth or your gums. The more you understand the best way to tackle your mouth, the more likely it is your dentist will give you a clean report by the end of the visit. The fewer problems you have with your teeth, the less you’ll spend on repairs.
The Importance of Brushing Your Teeth?
Some people love the feeling of taking a hard-bristled brush to their teeth and gums. It may feel like the coarseness of the bristles is really getting the job done by attacking the plaque in a harsh way. The mouth even may feel cleaner and tingly afterward. However, the harder the brush is, the more likely it is you’ll start wearing away at your gums. Those soft pink parts of your mouth need to be treated with a lot of care. As they wear away, it can push the tooth away from the roots.
A soft-bristled brush is definitely the way to go if you’re looking for the best possible solution. It may not seem as though it’s doing much, but a soft-bristle is just as effective as a hard bristle — and it helps to protect your gums with its soft bristles. Look for a brush that will allow you to access every part of your mouth, so you’re certain you can get to it all.
The Way You Move
Your toothbrush needs to move correctly so you get all of the remnants of your last meal. Start with a 45° angle. This means that your handle should be parallel and not perpendicular to the floor. With the bristles across the teeth, move it in a circular motion on the outside of your teeth. Your wrist needs to play a big part of this because you’re only going to be brushing the length of a single tooth.
You are getting all parts of the tooth when you brush, including the inside, outside, top, and bottom. When brushing the inside of the tooth, the handle should be pointed either toward the ceiling or toward the floor (as much as possible.) For the very back molars, you’ll need to push the toothbrush straight back to ensure you’re getting it all. Some people may have to move their jar one way or the other to effectively reach all parts of the molars.
Excellent brushing techniques definitely helps keep bacteria at bay, but it can never replace regular cleaning by your dentist.
To schedule an appointment, contact BC Perio Dental Health & Implant Centre today!