We all know that staying on top of oral hygiene is important. Brushing your teeth every day is a necessary and important part of maintaining your oral health. Since we’ve all been brushing our teeth for decades, we’d like to think we have a pretty good grasp of what’s involved in the process. But by implementing a few tooth-brushing tips from the pros, we’ll teach you how to brush the teeth properly and wow your dentist at your next cleaning!

Tips for Improving Your Tooth Brushing Technique

If you haven’t given your tooth-brushing technique much thought over the years, you aren’t alone. Try out these tips to take your brushing game to the next level!

1. Be Gentle

Sometimes less is more, and this is absolutely true when it comes to the amount of pressure you use while brushing your teeth. Many people assume that the harder they scrub their teeth with that toothbrush, the cleaner their teeth will be. However, scrubbing your teeth will only serve to weaken and damage your tooth enamel.

Instead, hold your brush gently at a 45-degree angle and brush in a circular motion. This will clean your teeth even better than scrubbing them in a rough back-and-forth motion.

2. Set a Timer

When you’re running late in the morning or too exhausted to think straight before bed, we know it’s easy to rush through brushing your teeth. But taking your time is key! In order to clean each tooth in your mouth, the American Dental Association recommends that you brush for at least two minutes.

To make sure you’re spending enough time on those pearly whites, set a timer on your phone for two minutes, or hum through a song that lasts at least two minutes. Tired of battling with your kids about rushing through the brushing? There’s an app for that! Entice your little one to put the time with the help of a mobile app like the Disney Magic Timer or Tiny Dentist.

3. Update Your Equipment

Life gets busy and switching out your toothbrush can easily slip through the cracks. But trust us, you don’t want to hold on to a toothbrush that’s overstayed its welcome. As you use your toothbrush, bacteria will get trapped in the bristles, and the bristles will begin to fray.

Once this happens, your toothbrush will no longer work as effectively to rid your mouth of bacteria. We recommend changing out your toothbrush every 3-4 months, after you’ve been sick, or once the bristles begin to fray; whichever of these comes first.

If your budget allows, upgrading to an electric toothbrush is a great way to enhance your smile. Studies have shown that electric toothbrushes clean teeth and gums much better than a manual toothbrush, and that’s something to smile about!

4. Chew Gum

Think all chewing gum is off limits? Think again! Keeping a pack of sugar-free gum on hand is a great way to clean your mouth throughout the day. Gum will help remove any remaining food debris left in your mouth after a meal or snack, and can stimulate the flow of saliva, which helps rinse plaque off the teeth.

Consistency is Key

When it comes to improving your tooth-brushing techniques, the most important thing to do is to be consistent. Frantically brushing and flossing your teeth before a dental checkup won’t do much. Instead, make sure that brushing and flossing twice a day is a part of your daily routine, and be sure to regularly visit your general dentist every six months for a cleaning and exam.

We hope this was helpful information on how to brush the teeth properly. But even the best tooth-brushers sometimes need the help of a specialist. Here at Endodontic Specialists of Colorado, we take pride in our patient-centered approach to restoring smiles and making teeth healthy for years to come. Contact us today to learn how we can help restore your smile while keeping your natural teeth!