The Best Way to Clean Your Teeth

From a very young age, we’re taught that brushing is essential for healthy teeth, a beautiful smile and a fresh breath. Not only that but having good oral hygiene can improve our overall health as well. We all know that it’s important to brush our teeth but not everyone knows how to brush in order to get the most benefit out of it. This is why in this article you will learn all about the correct way of brushing.

Use a good toothbrush

Specialists recommend using a toothbrush with soft bristles so that it doesn’t hurt your gums. The toothbrush should also have a small head in order to fully reach all of your teeth, especially the ones at the back of your mouth that are more inaccessible. As the bristles get worn out eventually and can contain a lot of microbes, it’s best to change your toothbrush about every 3 months.

Electric toothbrushes are a great option because they’re better at removing plaque which could damage the teeth or turn into calculus if it’s not wiped off. Choose an electric toothbrush with a small head, about the size of a small tooth. This way it could clean all areas around every tooth. Also, make sure that it rotates both back and forth. There are also electric toothbrushes that change colors when it’s time for you to change them, so do your research before purchasing one.

Brush your teeth the right way

The correct way of brushing will teach you how to clean your teeth more effectively and reduce the chance of having teeth problems. Follow these steps and you will immediately feel your teeth cleaner:

1. Put a pea-sized amount of toothpaste on your toothbrush
2. Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your teeth
3. Clean the outer surface of your upper teeth and then of your lower teeth using a circular motion
4. Repeat on the inner surface as well
5. Clean the chewing surfaces using a back and forth motion
6. Brush your tongue as well to eliminate bacteria and to have a fresher breath
7. Spit out the toothpaste. It’s not necessary to rinse with water as it’s better if some amount of fluoride from the toothpaste stays on your teeth surface to protect them
8. For extra care and freshness rinse with mouthwash

The American Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth twice a day for at least 2 minutes. If you struggle with brushing for that long at the beginning, set a timer or try listening to a song. Don’t skip brushing, especially before going to bed, even if you’re tired.

Choose your toothpaste wisely

When buying toothpaste, make sure it contains fluoride. It helps strengthen tooth enamel and protect the tooth surface from decaying. It’s also great at removing plaque. However, toothpaste should not be swallowed because it can cause serious health problems. This is why it should not be used for children under 3 years old. Keep your toothpaste away from your little ones and store it in a place where they can’t find it. Buy special toothpaste for them that’s suitable for children. You can even ask them to pick their own toothpaste that they like and they’ll have fun brushing.

Depending on your teeth, you may need to use toothpaste that better suits your needs. There are numerous types of toothpaste that target different dental issues, for example, sensitive teeth, bleeding gums, gingivitis and stained teeth. You can ask your dentist for advice on the best toothpaste for you.

Make flossing a part of your daily dental hygiene routine

Even though you may see flossing as unnecessary and too much time consuming, you should floss at least once a day if you want to take the best care of your teeth. Flossing removes plaque and bits of food stuck between your teeth that your toothbrush can’t reach. Floss before brushing your teeth so that you brush away any food and bacteria that comes out.

Use floss gently because otherwise you can hurt your gums and make them bleed. If you don’t feel comfortable while flossing, use flossers which are little plastic supports with pieces of floss strung between them.

Brushing your teeth regularly should be an integral part of your day and just as important as eating healthy and going to the dentist is. If you find it boring or don’t put much thought into it, try imagining how vital it is for your dental and overall health next time you brush. Make sure you take your time when brushing, picture how you remove all the bacteria that can cause you a painful toothache, frequent visits to your dentist and expensive treatments. If you don’t enjoy your dental routine, make it fun by listening to a song or watching something you like. This way time will fly by a lot faster and your body will thank you for the care you take of it.