Are you brushing the right way?

Dental plaque (the film that builds up on your teeth throughout the day) is easily removable if you brush 2-3 times a day using the proper technique.  So what is the proper technique?  Here’s a look at what we recommend:

• Place a pea sized amount of tooth paste on your wet toothbrush (we recommend Colgate total). Hold the toothbrush (SOFT bristle!!!) lightly using no more than pencil or pen pressure.  DO NOT hold it tight like it’s a tennis racquet.  The motion and pressure needed are very minimal, your gums are soft and easily damaged.  A gentle “scrub” technique is best.
• Hold the toothbrush at about a 45 degree angle into the gum line, and then gently scrub in a circular motion. Plaque accumulates at the gum line first, so focus on gently cleaning this area.
• Complete brushing should take at least 2 minutes and some places may feel awkward to get to. It is very important to brush every area of every tooth…the inside, outside, and tops of all of them.  If it helps, you can divide your mouth into sections: top left, top right, bottom left, and bottom right. If you spend 30 seconds on each section, you’ll get a full two minutes of brushing time in.  Using this type of pattern helps you to not miss any area of your mouth.  The most common areas we see missed with a tooth brush are the outer surfaces of the upper molars, and the inner surfaces of the lower molars.
• Children typically don’t have good enough coordination to brush their teeth until they are about 5 years old. It is important to let them brush their teeth themselves, then brush them again for them.  Children usually only focus on the front surface of the front teeth.  Stress to them how important it is to get all of the surfaces clean on all of their teeth.
• Flossing is important (we will go over flossing technique in a later blog) because over 50% of plaque buildup occurs in the area between the teeth, the site where cavities start and progress. Some people don’t floss because it is difficult for them to do.  That is totally understandable, and forgivable.  For those that don’t floss we STRONGLY recommend using a water pick.  This little device irrigates out in between your teeth and will make your gums much healthier.

For those of you who want to go the extra mile for your pearly whites, we recommend using an electric toothbrush.  Our patients who use an electric tooth brush, and a water pick, have by far the healthiest gums.

Bottom line tips:

-Use a soft bristle toothbrush.

-Brush gently.

-Change your toothbrush every three months.

-Bush every surface of every tooth.

-Floss or use a water pick.

-Brush your tongue, it’ll give you fresher breath.

-Get an electric toothbrush.