18 Jan Are You Brushing Your Teeth the Right Way? Tips from a Dental Hygienist, Part 1
One of the best New Year’s resolutions you can make is taking better care of your dental health. Establishing a healthy daily routine that includes brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash will keep your smile bright for years to come.
But even if you brush your teeth twice a day like you’re supposed to, you could still get cavities. You might be brushing at the wrong time, using the wrong kind of brush, or even brushing your teeth the wrong way without knowing it.
But with a few simple changes to your routine or your dental care products, you can get healthier teeth and gums. Here are some tips from our dental hygienists on how to brush your teeth the right way.
Five Tooth-Brushing Tips from a Dental Hygienist
1: Pay Attention to Each Tooth
Brushing for two minutes is a good rule, but unless you’re being thorough, the length of time you brush your teeth won’t matter much. Don’t zone out while you’re brushing—take the time to brush each and every tooth individually.
Think about the way that your dental hygienist cleans your teeth when you go in for an exam, one tooth at a time. You can brush your teeth just as thoroughly at home, but don’t worry—it should still only take about two minutes.
2: Don’t Brush Too Hard
You actually don’t need to apply much pressure to remove plaque and food debris from your teeth. In fact, things like hard-bristled toothbrushes and abrasive toothpastes can actually damage your tooth enamel.
Always use a soft-bristled brush and gentle, circular brushing motions. You should also switch to a new toothbrush every 3 months, but if your toothbrush starts getting frayed bristles before then, you’re probably using too much force.
3: Wait 30 Minutes After Eating
Whenever you eat something or drink anything besides water, the environment in your mouth becomes more acidic. This temporarily weakens your tooth enamel, so it’s not a good idea to brush your teeth immediately after a meal. Even if you use a soft toothbrush, it’s still abrasive enough to do some damage while your enamel is weak.
It takes about 30 minutes for your saliva to restore a neutral balance, so drink some water and wait a bit before you brush. In fact, while you’re at it, add “drink more water” to your list of resolutions. There’s nothing better you can do for your dental health or your health in general.
4: Try an Electric Toothbrush
Electric vs. manual: when it comes to which toothbrush is best, the answer is not the same for everyone. Electric toothbrushes are often recommended for children and for people with arthritis or mobility issues. However, most people could benefit from using an electric toothbrush.
Studies show that electric toothbrushes remove more plaque and significantly reduce the risk of cavities and gum disease. Because they already make the ideal circular brushing motion, they’re easier to use. And since the toothbrush heads are smaller, they make it easier for you to focus on one tooth at a time.
5: Set a Reminder on Your Phone
If you really want to build better brushing habits, schedule them into your day. Try setting a reminder on your phone so you don’t forget. Or, instead of a pop-up notification, set an alarm with one of your favorite songs to make it more fun.
Pro tip: it’s harder to ignore an “alarm” than a reminder, especially if you tend to keep your phone in silent mode. But if your phone suddenly starts playing that Taylor Swift tune, you’ll know that’s time to go brush your teeth.
Gentle Dental Cleanings in Prescott
Want a demonstration? Make an appointment at Prescott Dentistry. Our dental hygienists will be happy to show you how to brush your teeth the right way, so you can have better dental health. When you start the new year off by forming good habits, you’ll end the year with a brighter smile. Give us a call today!
Photo by Nik on Unsplash used with permission under the Creative Commons license for commercial use 1/10/2024.