Keeping teeth and gums clean is essential to maintain good oral health. It begins with regular at-home cleaning, supplemented with dental cleaning every 6 months. We also recommend getting a deep cleaning from a dentist that offers that service. It can do wonders for your oral health.
The truth is many of us have never really learned to brush our teeth the right way. We have probably learned how to brush our teeth from a parent or even a dentist when we are a child and never revisited the process.
So, how do you brush your teeth correctly? How do you brush your teeth like a dentist? From start to finish, this is how you maintain proper oral health.
Regular Brushing Is Recommended
All dentists recommend brushing twice daily. They don’t advise brushing after every meal and snack because this can be bad for your teeth, particularly if you do it right after eating or drinking.
You can actually brush too much, so be careful not to be overzealous with your regiment.
Stick to brushing twice a day, the morning and evening routine works just fine. And remember to wait 30 minutes after you have eaten your breakfast or dinner before brushing your teeth.
Use The Right Toothbrush
The tools you use for the job are just as important as how you do the job!
Dentists always use the right toothbrush to meet their needs, and you should too.
When buying a toothbrush, your first pick might be one with medium or firm bristles. However, you may need a brush with soft bristles, particularly when you have sensitive teeth.
Choosing a firm toothbrush can also be too abrasive. So, keep in mind to select one that feels comfortable to be able to brush properly. Sometimes an electric toothbrush can do wonders as it has been designed to fit better inside your mouth and enable consistent brushing.
So how do you know which toothbrush is right for you so you can brush your teeth like a dentist? Well simple: ask your dentist. There’s no better advice than advice from a professional, so reach out, or speak to your dentist at your next visit.
Choosing Toothpaste
Use toothpaste with fluoride because, well, fluoride is really good for your teeth. You can choose one with whitening properties as well, but be sure it has fluoride.
Some kinds of toothpaste with whitening qualities can be too abrasive for regular use. Thus, they can cause your teeth to fade or erode the enamel due to abrasion.
Toothpaste for sensitive teeth is recommended if you have sensitive teeth to ensure good oral hygiene.
Clean The Whole Mouth
FBI – floss, brush, irrigate (mouth wash).
You have to clean the entire mouth!
Get a big enough toothbrush and get to work. Smaller toothbrushes can reach all angles of the mouth with ease. However, it can miss your back teeth or lower front teeth while brushing. That’s why it is important to apply the precise brushing method.
Floss, at least once a day at night if you can. Flossing removes debris and plaque that gets stuck in your teeth and helps your gums remain healthy. If you fail to do so, little food particles that are left in your mouth can lead to the build-up of plaque, gum disease, and tooth decay. Do this before brushing your teeth to effectively flush out the particles.
After flossing and brushing, gargle with mouthwash to rinse off plaque and debris, while killing bacteria in your mouth.
Now you’ve reached every spot in your mouth.
Brushing For Two Minutes
Brushing may not be effective if you don’t do it long enough. In order to reap the full benefit of brushing, brush for two minutes to provide thorough cleaning and reach all surfaces.
Brush your teeth gently
Don’t get fooled by brushing harder to get better results. Instead, do it gently to avoid causing damage to your mouth. Brushing aggressively will degrade the tooth enamel and cause gum damage.
Get regular professional cleaning
Regular dental checkups with a dental hygienist and regular cleaning can make a lot of difference and drastically improve or maintain your oral health.
Dentists follow the same dental hygiene procedure they recommend for patients. That means following the above tips for proper brushing can keep your teeth and gums healthy for life.
