We all need reminders sometimes. Brushing your teeth is such a frequent activity, it can eventually fall into thoughtless habit. You may be brushing often, but without focus you may not be brushing well. Over the years good brushing techniques can disappear, replaced by lazy motions and halfhearted cleaning action.
If your dentist has been frowning more often lately, it is time to take a hard look at how you brush and what you can improve. Remind yourself of the basics of good brushing, or learn new, healthier techniques to keep teeth clean. If you have a family, reacquainting yourself with the best brushing habits is also a great way to teach your kids how to take care of their own teeth.
Dental health is easiest to maintain if you brush at least twice a day – which gives you lots of time to practice. Flossing properly is key, too, but for now take a look at what factors make so-so brushing into a powerful tooth-clearning exercise.
Soft Bristles are Better Bristles: It is easy to like tough bristles. After all, when you have a dried stain on your kitchen counter, you go for the hardest bristles you can find to wipe it off. Logic indicates that the same should be true when it comes to your teeth…but teeth are not countertops. When it comes to brushing, use a soft-bristled toothbrush. Dentists all agree on this – rigid, unforgiving bristles can cause small cuts and abrasions on your gums, hurting them and making it easier for you to get infections. Soft bristles have all the cleaning power that you need.
Buff It Up: Brushing your teeth is like cleaning a window or waxing a car. Do not try to brush in straight lines – instead opt for rounded strokes, moving the brush in circular motions around your teeth. This accomplishes two different things. First, it helps you remove food build-up as efficiently as possible by attacking it from multiple angles. Second, it ensures that you are reaching all the nooks and curves in your teeth, something far harder to guarantee when you only brush in straight lines.
Think in Three Dimensions: When you smile in the mirror, you see only one side of your teeth. When brushing, stop thinking about your smile and instead visualize the whole tooth. It has a bottom and a back, too. In fact, the back of your teeth is a favorite place for plaque to build over time because people rarely consider it. Lower the time you spend in the dentist chair by always remembering your teeth extra in three dimensions, with lots of corners that need your attention. Practice your brush dexterity.
Art, Not Force: Brushing hard against your teeth may feel effective, but the opposite is true. Soft, gentle brushing motions are the best way to remove grime from your tooth enamel. If you try pushing too hard, even the softest bristles may scratch away at your enamel over time, causing more damage than stain-fighting power. Be thorough, but take it easy, too – and spend some time brushing your tongue as well.
Use Math if You Have To: If you find your brushing sessions only last a handful of seconds, break the habit by using some old-fashioned counting. Try to brush each tooth section 10 times if you can stand all that math. Aim to make your brushing last two to three minutes. There is no magic number, because you can do a poor job even if you time your brushing to your favorite five-minute rock ballad. However, setting a timer or carefully counting can be an excellent way to focus.
Nancy Stokes is a professional blogger that provides news and information on dental services in Salem OR. She writes for Willis Dental, the best family dentist in Salem OR.