Are you brushing your teeth correctly? Okay, so there is no manual for brushing your teeth, and no regulations. But, you may not be brushing as effectively as you could be.
To brush your teeth well, you need the right toothbrush. The head of your toothbrush should be small enough to easily reach every part of your mouth. Your toothbrush should have soft bristles in order to avoid damaging your tooth enamel. The bristles should be in good shape and not worn or flattened. If the bristles are damaged, or your toothbrush is three months old, it should be replaced.
Brush your teeth at least twice a day. If you want to brush after each meal, you should wait for thirty minutes after eating so that the saliva in your mouth has time to wash away the acids from your food. You should use an ADA approved toothbrush with fluoride.
Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle, and brush along your gumline, then the fronts of your teeth as well as the backs and especially the biting and chewing surfaces. When cleaning the backs of your front teeth, hold the toothbrush vertically, and use short strokes. Don’t forget to brush your tongue since it contains bacteria that can cause bad breath.
You need to spend enough time brushing your teeth. To do an effective job, you should spend two minutes brushing. If you time yourself when you brush, you may be surprised to find out how little time you are taking.
If you have a problem with your teeth, or if it is time for your regular dental appointment, we’ll be happy to see you at The Art of Dentistry in Davison, Michigan. if you would like to see Dr. Ronald A. Williams, call 810.653.3503 today.