Visit Our Family Dentistry Office and Learn How to Properly Brush Your Teeth

When you visit our family dentistry office, we can show you and your kids how to brush your teeth the right way.  Many people have come to believe that as long as they brush their teeth for at least two minutes, they will get a good clean.  This is only part of the story.  How long you brush your teeth can help, but you still need to brush your teeth properly in order to keep them clean.

Here is what you need to know.

The way you do it matters. When brushing your teeth, don’t brush from front to back in a linear pattern. This can cause irritation, and you could be brushing bacteria from your back teeth towards your front ones.  Instead, brush your teeth in a circular pattern. Start at your gum line and brush away from the gums.  If you are brushing your top teeth, brush downwards.  If you are brushing your bottom teeth, brush upwards. This will push bacteria and plaque away from your gums so that they can stay healthy.

You need the right equipment. In our family dentistry office, we recommend that patients use an electronic toothbrush when possible.  Whether you buy an expensive one or a battery operated toothbrush from the drug store, an electronic toothbrush can give you a better clean because the bristles move automatically.  They typically move in a circular pattern so that you can get the motion that you need without a lot of effort.

Regardless of whether your toothbrush is electric or manual, make sure to replace it every three months.  This way the bristles won’t become frayed. This is also a good idea since toothbrushes can get bacteria on them.  One trick to try is putting it in an empty dishwasher and running it.  The heat will kill a lot of the germs.

If you are using a hard toothbrush, get rid of it.  A hard toothbrush can damage your teeth by stripping away the enamel you need to protect them. People that use a hard toothbrush will often end up with sensitive teeth.  This type of brush can also irritate your gums and make them bleed.  Use a soft one instead so that your teeth can stay clean but without the irritation.

Next, make sure that you are using the right type of toothpaste.  Look for the American Dental Association seal to make sure that the paste you are buying is good quality.  If you want to strengthen your teeth or prevent cavities, you should use toothpaste that contains fluoride.  If your teeth are sensitive, you can use desensitizing toothpaste instead. This will help to seal any holes in your enamel so that your teeth don’t hurt while eating or brushing.

Visit our family dentistry office. In addition to brushing your teeth properly, have them cleaned at our dentist office at least twice a year.  We can get the bacteria and plaque that was left behind after brushing at home.