Like most people, you likely learned how to brush your teeth as a child. In fact, you’ve probably followed the same brushing technique with little deviation or thought about the process since then. While this is understandable, many of us could likely benefit from tips that could improve our oral hygiene techniques. We’ve discussed the importance of dental hygiene in the past, but we felt our patients could benefit from a little further instruction on the proper way to brush their teeth.
Today, Advanced Indiana will discuss how to brush your teeth, including tips about the best technique. We’ll also explore why using a proper brushing technique is crucial. With this information, you can ensure that your oral hygiene habits are at their strongest, leading to a healthier and happier smile!
Why is it Important to Use the Proper Brushing Technique?
Brushing your teeth properly is one of the best ways to keep your teeth healthy. For one, brushing is an effective way to remove plaque. The bacteria in plaque produce acids that can erode the enamel of your teeth over time, leading to tooth decay. Additionally, plaque can cause bad breath and, in severe cases, even gum disease. It is believed that over 90 percent of all dental disease is caused by the accumulation of plaque.
Another reason that properly brushing your teeth is important is because the fluoride used in toothpaste strengthens tooth enamel, making it more resistant to decay. Besides that, using the proper technique makes your mouth feel cleaner and your breath smell fresher. Sure, there may not be a single “proper way” to brush your teeth, but there are a number of tips you can use to be as effective as possible.
Tips for Proper Brushing Technique
To start, you should choose a small-headed and soft-bristled toothbrush for brushing. Use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Next, gently grasp the toothbrush with your fingers (rather than your fist) and hold the bristles against the outside of your top teeth near the gum line. Use about a 45-degree angle and sweep the toothbrush back and forth across the teeth in soft strokes. You can also use a circular motion if this is more comfortable for you.
You’ll also want to pay special care to clean the spaces in between your teeth, using a sweeping motion to brush away particles of food. After completing this process in a space of about one brush-width, move to the adjacent area of your teeth and repeat this process. Continue this step until you have properly cleaned the top row section of teeth.
Next, it’s time to move to the bottom row of teeth. Repeat the same procedure we’ve already discussed, tilting the brush downward at about a 45-degree angle. After using this technique on the bottom row of the teeth, move to the inside of the teeth. Tilt the bristles of your toothbrush up towards the gums and clean the inside using gentle strokes. Use this procedure for both the inside of the bottom and top teeth. Finally, you’ll want to brush your molars, holding the brush flat against the top of the molars and cleaning the ridges and valleys. Finish your proper brushing technique by thoroughly cleaning your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen your breath. That’s it, you’re done!
How to Know if You Brushed Your Teeth Properly
If you’ve followed these steps correctly, you probably did a pretty efficient job of brushing your teeth. Still, there are a couple of ways you can check your work to ensure you brushed your teeth properly. For one, you can simply run your tongue over your teeth. If you notice a slick, smooth feeling, you probably did a good job. Additionally, you can use a disclosing solution that includes a special dye that will highlight areas of plaque and debris that you may have missed.
The Journey to Better Oral Hygiene Starts at Advanced Indiana!
We hope that these tips regarding the proper way to brush your teeth have been helpful for you! If you’ve read this entire article, you’re clearly someone that values oral hygiene. That being said, we can all always improve when it comes to keeping our teeth happy and healthy. The journey to better oral hygiene starts at Advanced Indiana.
At Advanced Indiana, we specialize in a variety of dental health services that can help you stay healthy. We offer services in the Anderson and Fortville areas and will be happy to assist you. Feel free to contact us or request an appointment online to get started! Our staff is highly knowledgeable and can help you enjoy a brighter smile for years to come.