How to Properly Brush Your Teeth —
Does it really matter how you brush your teeth as long as
you brush your teeth? Yes it
does. As with anything you do, the
better you are at it, the better the outcome.
First and foremost in your brushing routine, Szmanda Dental
Center recommends using a soft bristled toothbrush. You are doing your teeth and gums a
disservice using a harder bristled brush by literally brushing your gums and
enamel away. The more gentle, the
better.
We also recommend electric toothbrushes, such as
Sonicare. These brushes usually have
timers on them that count down a two-minute brush time. It’s amazing when you first start using these
brushes how long two minutes actually is and you realize how little time you
have spent brushing your teeth before.
Electric toothbrushes can do a better job getting at areas that you may
miss by adding a little extra boost to your brushing; some vibrate, some spin
and cup the tooth similar to your dental hygienist’s polishing tool. They can move thousands of times per minute
versus a few hundred with a manual toothbrush.
Essentially, electric toothbrushes do the work for you when used
correctly rather than you doing all of the work with a regular toothbrush. If you aren’t able to get an electric toothbrush,
using a regular one will do. In fact,
some people prefer manual toothbrushes instead of electric as they don’t like
the feel, it can be ticklish, and it can be messy.
With either kind of toothbrush, there are techniques to get
the most out of brushing:
- As we
said before, use a soft bristled toothbrush and be sure to brush at least
twice a day. Once in the morning
and once at night is the preferred protocol. Once a day is not going to cut the
muster, as they say. Preferably, if
you can, three times a day would be great (once after each meal). If you can’t brush after lunch, try to
swish with water and try chewing sugarless gum. You can do this after you snack also.
- Make
sure that the size of your brush head can reach all areas of your mouth,
including behind those back molars.
- When
your brush head looks worn, replace it!
In fact, it should be replaced prior to the worn-look. The American Dental Association (ADA)
recommends replacing it every three months. Think about it; your toothbrush gets a
workout two-three times a day AND, your mouth is the most bacteria-ridden
place in your body.
- And
for Pete’s sake, do not share your toothbrush. As Szmanda Dental Center’s website Tip
of the Month states: The Center for
Disease Control advises “the exchange of body fluids that such sharing
would foster places toothbrush sharers at an increased risk for
infections.” Ewwwww.
The ADA has these suggestions for the proper way to brush
your teeth:
- Place
toothbrush at a 45° angle to the gums.
- Move
the brush back and forth gently in short strokes.
- Brush
all sides of the teeth (cheek side, tongue side and chewing surfaces).
- Tilt
the brush vertically to clean the tongue side surfaces of the front teeth
and move the brush up and down several times.
- Brush your
tongue. Bacteria hides in all those
little crevices in your tongue and brushing them away can eliminate bad
breath.
Along with brushing goes toothpaste. Technically, toothpaste is not necessarily
needed to brush your teeth, but there is something to say about that
foaminess! There are numerous
toothpastes to choose from and the choice is really up to you. Just make sure that there is fluoride in the
one you choose.
Ask your hygienist at Szmanda Dental Center how she thinks
you are doing with your brushing technique and if she has any suggestion for
improvement. She may also recommend a
certain toothbrush or toothpaste for you depending on your individual needs.
And, remember; don’t forget to floss at least once a
day! But that’s a whole other
subject………………..but
just do it already!
Information
compiled from the American Dental Association, the CDC and Staff at Szmanda
Dental Center
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