From a very young age, we’re taught to brush our teeth. But a busy life can often mean we rush this essential task and cut corners. Neglecting your oral health can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, infection, and more.
If you’ve been lucky enough to avoid cavities, fillings, and root canal treatments, you may think you’re doing it right, and there’s no need to make any changes. However, we can all make improvements, and brushing up on our skills is always helpful.
Brushing your teeth isn’t just about the time spent with your brush in hand. It’s about when and how you brush and what you use to do the job!
In this guide, we share eight fundamental tips for improving your brushing technique and your oral health.
1. Brush Twice a Day
You probably already know you need to brush your teeth every morning and night, but the pre-bed clean may get skipped occasionally if you’re exhausted after a long day.
Although you may consider the morning brush the most important because it freshens your breath, cleaning your teeth at night is equally essential.
Brushing at night removes all the plaque and food debris accumulated throughout the day. If you skip this step, the bacteria will feed on anything they find and create the acid that erodes your teeth.
2. Use Fluoride Toothpaste
Fluoride is a natural mineral added to toothpaste to strengthen dental enamel. Adding fluoride helps protect your teeth from cavities.
Not all toothpastes have fluoride, and some don’t have enough! Look for a toothpaste with around 1,350 to 1,500 ppm fluoride, as these are the most effective.
3. Don’t Brush After Acidic Food or Drink
If you enjoy drinking a glass of orange juice with breakfast or like to start the day with a grapefruit, don’t brush your teeth immediately after them. Brushing after consuming anything acidic speeds up enamel erosion, increasing the risk of cavities.
When you eat anything acidic, it’s best to wait an hour before brushing your teeth. If you’re short on time in the morning, you can brush your teeth before breakfast.
4. Spit —Don’t Rinse
After brushing your teeth, it feels natural to rinse your mouth with water. However, you should avoid doing this because it will wash away the fluoride from your toothpaste. Because fluoride helps protect your teeth, spitting out any excess toothpaste is best!
Similarly, rinsing your mouth with mouthwash can also wash away fluoride.
5. Consider Going Electric
Electric toothbrushes make brushing easier, but they also improve the quality of the cleaning process. The smaller heads are great for getting into the hard-to-reach areas of your mouth, while the moving bristles work hard to remove plaque.
Most electric toothbrushes are rechargeable, and you don’t need to buy an expensive model to get the benefits.
6. Replace Your Toothbrush Often
Whether you use a manual or electric toothbrush, you need to replace it or the heads often. The bristles become less effective as they wear down or stand to lose their shape.
As a rule of thumb, replace your toothbrush or head every three months or sooner if it looks visibly worn.
7. Set a Timer
You should aim to brush your teeth for two minutes each time. Allow yourself thirty seconds to clean each quarter of your mouth.
Some electric toothbrushes have timers that vibrate when it’s time to move to the next area of your mouth and when your two minutes are up. Alternatively, you can set a timer on your phone or keep a countdown timer next to your sink.
8. Keep Your Toothbrush Clean
Putting your toothbrush down on the side of your sink when not using it can attract bacteria. Rinse your toothbrush before and after every use and store it upright in a cup or holder.
Checkups at Durham Dental
We want you to avoid dental problems like gum disease and tooth decay, and good brushing habits are among the best ways to do this. Visit us for a dental checkup every six months, and we’ll help you maintain a healthy smile that lasts for years.
Contact us today to book your next appointment.
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