It’s important to brush your teeth regularly, but it’s also important to brush with the proper technique in order to get the most benefit from your dental care routine. Here are 5 ways to brush better so you can ensure that your brushing is effective and efficient.
1. Brush After Each Meal
Brushing when your dentist recommends is actually very important for your dental health. Dentists typically recommend brushing after each meal or 3 times a day. It’s important to wash away food debris that can feed bacteria in your mouth and lead to tooth decay or cavities. The less amount of time the food remains on your teeth the better, so brushing after meals is ideal.
2. Set a Timer
When you brush your teeth, dentists also recommend brushing for 2 minutes. This is to encourage you to take the time to brush all the surfaces of your teeth thoroughly. It can be helpful to set a timer as a reminder when you brush for those times when you may be tempted to rush things.
3. Use the Right Toothpaste
It’s also important to make sure that you are using the right toothpaste. There are lots of alternative and natural toothpastes and powders on store shelves or that are marketed online, but it’s important to get a toothpaste that has been approved by the American Dental Association (ADA). The packaging will display a small ADA logo to let you know it’s been approved. This is to ensure that the toothpaste you use includes all the necessary ingredients to effectively clean your teeth without any ingredients that may be abrasive or harmful.
4. Brush All Surfaces of Your Teeth
As you brush your teeth, think about your mouth as divided into sections. Top right, top left, bottom right, bottom left, inside and outside surfaces of teeth. Make sure to cover all of these areas each time you brush to ensure that no tooth gets left out.
5. Try New Technology
If you really want to up your brushing game, there are lots of fun new gadgets that offer exciting ways to brush better. Electric toothbrushes now come with built-in timers, built in water picks, and can even connect with a brushing app on your phone to give you real time feedback on your brushing habits.
Talking with Your Dentist About Brushing
When you’re looking for ways to brush better, it can be helpful to talk with your dentist and share what’s difficult, what’s boring and what you’re hoping for to improve your brushing routine. Your dentist has lots of experience with what works and what doesn’t and will be able to advise you on the best tips and tools to improve your brushing experience and results.
Call our Sandy, UT, dental office to make an appointment with a dentist who may be able to help you find out more about this topic, and improve your oral health.