Just because we’ve been brushing our teeth since a young age doesn’t mean that we’ve been doing it correctly. It’s entirely possible that you’ve mastered the art of the brush and that you’ve accumulated many successful years of brushing under your belt. But imagine that all those years have been wasted and that due to an insufficient dental education or to complacency, your teeth brushing skills are inadequate. Here’s a quick reminder of the proper way to brush your teeth.
When & Duration
Brushing should take place when you wake up and before you go to sleep. Brush as soon as you wake up and right before bed. Be sure not to eat or drink anything too acidic after you brush during the night. Also remember to wait to brush until at least thirty minutes have passed after having eaten a meal. Brushing your teeth should take a whole two minutes. If you want to make the time fly by, listen to some music and dance along while brushing.
What to Brush
When you begin brushing; start with the outer surfaces of your upper teeth before moving to your bottom teeth. Then move on to the inner surfaces of your upper teeth before moving to the bottom surfaces. Clean chewing surfaces (the part of your tooth that faces down) as well as your tongue. Be conscious of what you brush, we often overlook areas of our teeth.
Technique
Tilt the brush so that it’s at a 45-degree angle and brush away from the gumline. The brush should be moved back and forth without too much pressure being applied to the teeth.
The Brush
Use a toothbrush that has soft bristles and be sure to change it out every three months.
Any further questions you may have about proper dental hygiene habits should be directed at the best children’s orthodontists in the San Diego, Oceanside area.
