As easy as brushing your teeth might seem, you might be surprised to learn that you have been doing it the wrong way. I bet you are thinking of how hard you brush your teeth day and night or those extra long, intensive brushing sessions you have.
Brushing your teeth does not mean spending the whole day scrubbing your teeth hard or using a huge amount of toothpaste. It requires simple techniques that can create the difference between just brushing and brushing effectively.
Let’s pause for a moment to answer the most paramount question: are you brushing your teeth properly? Do you want to know the most effective way to brush your teeth?
Dr. Nicole Manigault, DDS, your Elkin dentist, shares proper brushing techniques to give you the best oral hygiene to keep your smile healthy.
Items You Need for Brushing
You might not know if the problem you have with brushing is a result of using the wrong tools. You need to get the right tools and items for effective brushing sessions. Here are the items you will need.
- Toothbrush: It is the most important item for brushing. You need to use a good, soft-bristled toothbrush for the best result. You also have to replace your toothbrush every 3 to 6 months. ManiDental offers electric toothbrushes that can help for effective brushing sessions.
- Fluoride toothpaste: This is also very essential for your brushing session. You need to make sure the toothpaste you choose contains fluoride. The presence of fluoride will help against tooth decay and gum disease.
- Floss: Flossing is essential before brushing, so you have to get your floss ready.
- Mouthwash: Although this is optional, you should have it as it can come in handy, especially when fighting against bacteria and tooth decay.
Having the right brushing items moves you to the next stage of effective brushing. It makes your dental care journey easier, faster, and more result-oriented.
How to Properly Brush Your Teeth
Brushing your teeth properly requires you to follow simple steps and procedures. Here is a proper brushing technique for you.
Step 1: Floss Properly
The first thing you need to do before brushing your teeth is to floss. You need to choose your desired floss to remove plaque or food particles between your teeth up until your gum line.
Flossing your teeth makes brushing easier and more effective as it helps clean parts of the teeth that the toothbrush cannot reach. After flossing, you can now proceed to brush. Although flossing does not have to be done every time you brush, it is essential you floss once per day.
Step 2: Lubricate Your Brush
Bring out your brush and lubricate it with a small amount of water. Then put your toothpaste on the brush. The toothpaste does not have to be in large quantities; just a pea-sized amount is enough for cleaning your teeth.
Step 3: Brush the Outer Surface of Your Front Teeth and Molars
Place your brush at a 45-degree angle to your gum and begin brushing gently. Brush by moving your toothbrush in short circular motions while cleaning the outer surface of each tooth. Keep doing this till you get to your molars.
You also need to clean the inner and chewing surfaces of your molars with your toothbrush. Make sure you do this for your upper and lower teeth.
Step 4: Brush the Inner Surfaces of Your Teeth
Flip your toothbrush upside down to clean the inner part of your top teeth. You also need to flip it around again to reach the inner surface of your bottom teeth. Do this till every tooth surface is clean.
Step 5: Brush Your Tongue
After cleaning your teeth, move your brush to your tongue to clean it too. Brush your tongue to remove plaque or bacteria buildup.
Step 6: Do Not Rinse, Spit Only
Many people tend to rinse their mouth after brushing, which is not the best thing to do. Rinsing your mouth after brushing washes away the concentrated fluoride in the toothpaste. So, you shouldn’t rinse your mouth immediately after brushing.
Alternatives for Toothpaste
There are cases when toothpaste might not be readily available. That does not mean you can’t have an excellent brushing session. Here are some alternatives for toothpaste:
- Coconut oil
- Activated charcoal
- Baking soda
Protect Your Oral Health with Your Elkin Dentist
Your oral health is essential which is why you need to put your oral hygiene into consideration. ManiDental Family Practice provides effective tips and dental treatments in Elkin, NC. We have the best tools for effective brushing that will help you maintain excellent dental health. You can book an appointment and contact us for our dental services.
