You’ve been brushing your teeth on your own since you were a little kid, so you may be wondering why you need tips on the most effective brushing method. But that’s just the problem! Many people are so set in their ways, or they haven’t really thought about how to brush since they were young, that they don’t realize they are doing it incorrectly. You can learn the right way to brush by following these tips:
Two Minute Rule
The general recommendation is to spend at least two minutes brushing your teeth. Two minutes doesn’t seem like that long but next time you brush your teeth, try setting a timer on your phone to see what it’s really like. We’ll bet you be surprised by how much time is still left compared to when you normally would’ve stopped brushing!
Angle & Technique
Hold your toothbrush at roughly a 45-degree angle. Move it back and forth in gentle, short strokes in an elliptical motion. Going in a rough, up-and-down motion could potentially cause receding gums. Some people think that the harder they brush, the more their teeth are getting cleaned but overbrushing can actually end up damaging your enamel and gums.
All Surfaces
Whenever you’re brushing, it’s important to go over all the surfaces of all your teeth. That means don’t just work on those outer surfaces of the teeth that show when you smile! Clean the outer, inner, and top surfaces of each of your teeth (upper and lower and front and back).
The Tongue
Yup, it’s true! When you’re brushing your teeth you should also brush your tongue since bacteria can be found there as well. Brushing your tongue can also help freshen your breath.
Now that you’ve got the brushing method down, you may be wondering what products are best to use. Contact Signature Smiles Dental, and we’d be happy to give you our recommendations!
