How should I brush my teeth?

12-06-2023

This may seem like a silly post, as of course, everyone brushes their teeth.

But some people will have picked up bad habits over the years, or may have even been taught incorrectly in the first place.

Prevention starts at home! An excellent brushing technique will keep all sorts of dental problems at bay. More thorough brushing leads to less debris left in the mouth, which leads to less plaque build up, which leads to less decay and then lessens the need for dental treatment!

So, lets do this!

How and why should I brush my teeth?

Dental Plaque is a sticky, colourless film of bacteria that constantly forms on our teeth and along the gum line. Plaque is made from leftover food particles and salvia that mix in your mouth. If you don’t brush properly after meals, it begins to form and build up on your teeth. This is problematic because plaque contains millions of bacteria. The bacteria in plaque cause tooth decay and gum disease if they are not removed regularly through brushing and flossing. … This is called gingivitis, an early stage of gum (periodontal) disease. Tartar is calcified or hardened plaque that attaches to the enamel on your teeth and below the gum line. You cannot remove tartar yourself and will need to have a professional scale and polish with your dentist of hygienist.

Brushing twice a day, for at least two minutes with fluoride toothpaste is very important to maintaining a healthy mouth and gums.

 How to brush your teeth

1. Use a soft or medium bristle toothbrush, twice a day for at least two minutes. Medium is better for 99% of people and your dentist will tell you if you need any special toothbrushes.
2. Use a toothpaste containing fluoride. This is really important for protecting your teeth from decay. Fluoride is one of the best tools out there for healthy teeth.
3. Place the bristles at the point where your teeth meet your gums and while pointing towards the gums, 45 degree angle, and brush using small circular movements.
4. Brush all around the surface and edges of every tooth – making sure you can feel the brush on your gums.
5. Do not apply too much pressure as this could cause damage to the delicate gum tissue. A great way to prevent this is to use an electric toothbrush with a pressure indicator.
6. You should brush for a whole 2 minutes. Divide your mouth into 4 sections and spend 30 seconds on each.
7. After brushing, spit out residual toothpaste and saliva – do not rinse as this washes the fluoride away.
8. Replace your toothbrush every 3 months, or earlier if you notice the bristles do not retain their shape. It is also very important to change toothbrushes after you’ve had a cold, since the bristles can collect germs that can lead to reinfection.

It’s probably easier to be shown how to do it, so here is an excellent video from youtube! Click here!

You can also head over to our tiktok page, where I have made an amazing time lapse video of using an electric toothbrush! @halesowendental

You can also book an appointment with one of our dentists or our hygienist, and they will be able to go over this with you.

Happy brushing folks!

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