subject: General Dentist Tips: How to Properly Brush Your Teeth [print this page] General Dentist Tips: How to Properly Brush Your Teeth
We do it every day. Well, we should do it every day. According to dentists, we should be doing it at least twice a day. However, what bewilders dentists the most is not how often people brush their teeth. Most people have that down. What bewilders dentists is how many people simply don't know the proper way to brush their teeth.
Improper brushing can lead to unhealthy teeth and a slew of dental problems. It's a simple, yet important, task. However, without the proper technique, people tend to skip around in their mouths and not do any real cleaning. They may also brush too hard, which can damage their teeth and gums. Improper brushing permits bacteria build up and will have you sitting in the dentist's office far more often than you desire.
So, let's get to proper brushing.
Before delving into specific techniques, let's cover a few basics. Proper brushing takes a full two minutes. This is the bare minimum. Most adults fall short of this 120 second mark. In order to get a feel, try using a stop watch the next couple times you brush. Also, dentists recommend using soft-bristled tooth brushes with smaller heads.
Now, let's get into some specifics. To properly brush your teeth, use short, gentle strokes. Pay extra attention to the gumline as well as the hard-to-reach back teeth. Tilt your brush on a 45-degree angle and sweep it away from your gumline. In order to hit all areas of your mouth, use the following guidelines:
Clean the outer surfaces of your upper teeth, then your lower teeth
Clean the inner surfaces of your upper teeth, then your lower teeth
Clean the chewing surfaces
For fresher breath, be sure to brush your tongue
By properly brushing your teeth, you'll save yourself a lot of unwanted trips to the dentist. It's a simple task that most people do every day. However, these efforts prove frivolous if the proper technique isn't used. With a little attention to detail, you can do wonders for your teeth. Oh, and as your dentist will also certainly remind you, don't forget to floss!
