Are You Brushing the Right Way? It is important to brush your teeth at least twice a day. But you must also brush them the right way. If you aren’t brushing your teeth correctly, then you are more likely to develop cavities, halitosis or gingivitis. Here are a few ways to improve the way that you brush your teeth. Way 1: Choose the Proper Toothbrush You must choose the proper toothbrush so that you can remove food particles from your teeth. Look for a toothbrush with softer bristles to avoid damaging the enamel on your teeth. When you have a small mouth, don’t choose a toothbrush with a large head because it will make it uncomfortable to brush your teeth. In addition, think about the length of the handle and its shape to make brushing your teeth easier. Way 2: Wet Your Toothbrush Make sure to wet the bristles on your toothbrush first to avoid too much friction on your teeth while brushing. Squirt a small amount of toothpaste on the bristles before brushing your teeth in the morning, evening or at other times of the day. Way 3: Use Fluoridated Toothpaste Buy fluoridated toothpaste in a flavor you’ll enjoy. If you have sensitive teeth or gums, look for toothpaste with a mild flavor or that is specially formulated. You shouldn’t use a large amount of toothpaste. Swallowing toothpaste also should be avoided. Way 4: Start Brushing in a Different Place To prevent cavities, begin brushing your teeth in a different place inside your mouth each time. With this method, each tooth receives a maximum amount of fluoride occasionally. This helps to prevent cavities. Way 5: Use Specialty Cleaning Devices If you have dental implants or bridges, then you must buy specialty-cleaning devices to brush your teeth. These devices can be found in the oral hygiene aisle of a drugstore. An angled interdental brush is made with soft fibers so that you can clean between your dental implants. Way 6: Brush Each Surface of a Tooth You must brush each surface of a tooth to eliminate bacteria and remove food particles. Angle the toothbrush slightly to remove the debris from the base of each tooth and slightly below the gums. Make sure to brush the front, sides, tops and backs of your teeth.
Way 7: Clean Your Oral Cavity In addition to brushing your teeth, you can brush the roof of your mouth and back of your tongue. This removes food particles. It also removes a buildup of biofilm that causes bad breath. If you have a problem with halitosis, you can also use an oral irrigator that blasts away plaque with highly pressured water. Way 8: Rinse Your Mouth You should always rinse your mouth with water after brushing to remove the loosened food particles and toothpaste. You can also use dental floss to scrape away the plaque that is below the gums and between your teeth. After flossing, you can use a fluoridated or antiseptic mouthwash to improve your breath odor. To help eliminate bacteria, store your toothbrush upright so that the bristles will dry completely.