What’s the best way to brush your teeth? You may think you know — after all, it’s something you do twice a day!
We’ll give you a refresher on the best way to brush your teeth to avoid dental decay and ensure healthy teeth and gums.
Make the most of your twice-daily routine
Here are our tips on making the most of your twice-daily routine.
The essentials
- Brush your teeth twice a day for 2 minutes each time.
- Choose a soft-bristled brush or electric toothbrush to avoid toothbrush abrasion (when your tooth enamel is worn away).
- Replace your toothbrush or electric toothbrush head every three months, or sooner if it’s worn.
Technique
- If you use a manual toothbrush, place it at an angle of 45 degrees to your gums.
- Gently move it around each surface of every tooth in a circular motion.
- To clean the inside surfaces of your front teeth, you’ll need to tilt the brush upwards.
- If using an electric toothbrush, you can simply place it gently against the surfaces of your teeth and allow the vibrations to do the cleaning.
Added extras
It’s also a great idea to:
- Floss once a day or use interdental brushes.
- Use mouthwash after every time you brush.
What if I wear braces or other dental appliances?
The best way to brush teeth with braces is to follow the basic principles of brushing above, adding in some extra care:
- Before brushing, rinse your mouth out with water to dislodge any food stuck around your braces.
- Use a toothbrush designed for use with braces to brush at the gumline, tilting it at 45 degrees.
- Then brush the top of each bracket by positioning your brush at a downward angle.
- Move on to brushing the bottom of each bracket with your brush at an upward angle.
- Brush each tooth above and below the brackets.
- Once a day, use floss designed for use with braces or a water flosser to remove any debris caught between teeth or in your braces.
- Don’t forget to rinse with mouthwash after every brush.
If you’ve had dental work such as veneers or a crown, you should be able to brush your teeth as normal — your dentist will be able to advise you.
Some types of dental work such as bridges mean that you can’t pass regular floss between the teeth. You will need to use special floss designed for bridges or a water flosser instead.
And finally…
As well as brushing your teeth in the best possible way, you should make visiting your dentist part of your oral care routine.
Go for a check-up at least twice a year, or more often if advised by your dentist. This will enable your dentist to spot any problems early on and give you advice on brushing technique.
You may also be offered a scale and polish of your teeth to get rid of stubborn tartar (hardened plaque) that can’t be removed by brushing alone and to keep your teeth sparkling clean.
For a super clean and sparkling smile!
It’s always good to review how you’re brushing your teeth to ensure that your technique is keeping your teeth and gums healthy.
If you have any queries about brushing or any other aspect of oral hygiene, have a chat with your dentist. In fact, why not come and see us here at Opal Dental — your local friendly dentists for the Te Atatu Peninsula and surrounding area.
Book a check-up today to help keep your smile super clean and sparkling!
