Brushing your teeth is an important part of your oral hygiene routine. As far as difficult tasks go, brushing your teeth doesn’t seem like one of them. After all, you’ve been doing it since you were little. Even though we’ve been brushing and flossing our teeth for years and years, many of us are surprised to learn that we’re not doing it properly. Did you know that proper brushing takes at least two minutes? Most adults do not come close to brushing that long. Here is how you should properly brush your teeth:
CHOOSE THE RIGHT TOOTH BRUSH
Just any old toothbrush may not be the one for you. Think about the size of your mouth. If you are straining to open wide enough to let the brush in, the brush is probably too big. It should feel good in your mouth and in your hand, so you’ll use it often. Choose a toothbrush with soft nylon bristles. This must effectively remove plaque and debris from your teeth, without irritating the gums or eroding tooth enamel like hard bristled brushes can do when used with sideways action.
USE FLUORIDE TOOTHPASTE
It not only helps remove plaque, it also helps strengthen tooth enamel. However, it’s important to note that fluoride toothpaste is not to be swallowed, as ingesting too much can have serious health consequences. It should not be used for children under the age of 3.
TOOTHPASTE AMOUNT
We tend to take a dollop of toothpaste as seen in the advertisements; however we do not need so much of toothpaste! Only a peanut size amount is sufficient for thorough cleaning.
STEPS – after you are done with the above steps, follow –
Step 1: Place the head of your toothbrush against your teeth, then tilt the bristle tips to a 45 degree angle against the gum line. Move the brush in small circular movements, several times, on all the surfaces of every tooth.
Step 2: Brush gently the outer surfaces of tooth, in the front and sideways too. Make sure you keep the bristles angled against gum line.
Step 3: After you are done brushing the outer surfaces, do the same for inner surfaces too. Brush your teeth from the portions that are not visible by gently tilting the brush to reach hard to reach places.
Step 4: After you are done brushing the outer and inner surfaces, brush the biting surfaces if your teeth that is the edges.
Step 5: Repeat the above 4 steps one again for thorough cleaning.
Step 6: Use a tongue scraper to remove all the buildup and toxins from the surface of tongue.
Step 7: I always prefer scrubbing the inner cheeks too (inside the mouth) on both the sides; makes your mouth feel super clean.
ADDITIONAL TIPS:
- If you brush your teeth like you would scour a pan with baked-on food, you’re doing more harm than good. When you press hard against your teeth and gums, you get a satisfying sensation that you’re really getting the teeth clean. But it’s not making your teeth cleaner, and it can do harm.
- Over time, bristles become splayed out, bent, and curved so when you angle your brush to 45 degrees, they no longer point in the right direction. Every three months, treat yourself to a new toothbrush.
- Brush your tongue in a back-to-front sweeping motion to remove food particles and help remove odour-causing bacteria to freshen your breath.