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Brushing Your Teeth the Correct Way

Posted .

There’s more to it than you may think.

We all know how important it is to brush our teeth. We know to get the most out of it, we must brush our teeth twice a day for at least two minutes. Easy, right?

Well, did you know there’s actually a technique to brushing your teeth? That if you don’t brush your teeth the correct way you could actually be doing more harm than good?

Here’s how:

  1. First, tilt the brush at a 45-degree angle toward the gum line.
  2. Then, use short, gentle circular strokes making sure to get the hard-to-reach areas in the back and around fillings or crowns. Make sure to brush the outside, inside and chewing surface of every tooth.
  3. Lastly, brush your tongue to remove bacteria and to freshen breath.

What should you be using?

  • Toothbrush: Using a toothbrush with soft bristles is essential to healthy, strong teeth. Believe it or not, soft bristles are the best at removing plaque and debris rather than the harder, stiffer bristles. It’s also best to use a smaller head in order to reach those hard to reach places in the back. Also, take note to replace your toothbrush every three months or after you’ve been sick since the bristles can collect germs that lead to infections.
  • Toothpaste: First off, you may want to try several different kinds of toothpaste before sticking to one. There is a wide variety of toothpaste designed for different conditions such as sensitive teeth, gingivitis, tartar, stained teeth, etc. It would probably be best to ask your dentist which would be the best fit for you.

Technique and what you use when brushing your teeth is extremely important to maintaining healthy and strong teeth. If you want to learn more about how to keep care of your teeth or need more explanation, contact your dentist at Dental Innovations Gallup today.