The Proper Technique for Brushing Your Teeth

You may think that brushing your teeth is simple: just move your brush around on your teeth in a circular motion for a couple minutes, spit, rinse, and you're done. However, Princeview Dental, tells their patients that properly brushing your teeth takes a bit more effort.

The temptation may be to simply buy the most affordable toothbrush you can find, but as a family dentist, we strongly recommend against this. Buy a good quality, name-brand toothbrush with soft bristles. These toothbrushes will clean better than brushes with hard bristles and cause less irritation and wear on the enamel of your teeth.

You've doubtlessly been told to replace your toothbrush every three to four months. We can tell you that a toothbrush usually starts to lose its effectiveness after this time. If the bristles are starting to splay out or lose their shape, replace your toothbrush. We provide our patients with quality toothbrushes following their appointments, as well as recommend the best kinds to buy.

Use a fluoride toothpaste, as it effectively cleans plaque and strengthens enamel. We also recommend flossing before you start brushing and can show you the proper technique for flossing.

Put just a small amount of toothpaste on your toothbrush, as putting on too much can cause an excess of foam, causing you to spit too early or swallow; swallowing toothpaste can be unhealthy. When you start brushing, hold your brush at a 45-degree angle and gently brush in a circular motion for three minutes.

To effectively brush your molars, the back teeth, work the toothbrush in a gentle, in-and-out motion. As an experienced dentist in Etobicoke, we always tell our patients to pay extra attention to the inner surfaces of their teeth, since that is the part of the teeth that is most commonly neglected.

Gently brush your tongue as well; this prevents bad breath and gets rid of bacteria on the surface of your tongue. Once finished, spit the toothpaste out and rinse with warm water or mouthwash. Finally, thoroughly clean the bristles of your toothbrush with warm water.

We recommend brushing at least twice a day—once in the morning and once before you go to bed—and flossing once a day. If you follow the technique provided, you'll maintain good oral health, meaning your appointments at Princeview Dental, a quality family dentist in Etobicoke, will be a breeze!

Source:
"How to Brush Your Teeth," WikiHow, July 14, 2014; http://www.wikihow.com/Brush-Your-Teeth.