Proper Tooth Brushing Techniques

It’s All in the Technique

Sometimes it is not how long you brush your teeth, but the technique that you use. You could brush your teeth for more than the recommended two minutes, but if you are not hitting the right angles, the bacteria will still reside in your mouth. Here’s a quick refresher:

•  Use back and forth motions on the chewing surfaces in order to work the food debris and bacteria out of the nooks and crannies of this surface of your teeth. •  Use up and down motions on the rear side of your top and bottom teeth to eliminate any plaque that may be behind your teeth. •  At a 45 degree angle, use small, circular motions on the front of all of your teeth. •  Make sure to reach back to the posterior teeth to ensure that no food or bacteria is left behind as this is the most common place for tooth decay to begin.

Using the right technique can help make sure that your pearly whites stay clean and shiny in between professional visits!

Why Is Flossing Necessary?

It might surprise you to learn that even people who regularly brush their teeth twice a day neglect the need to floss. Just because you don’t have food stuck in your teeth or you brushed well doesn’t mean you shouldn’t floss; you need to know that it is an important part of your daily routine.

Reasons You Need to Floss

Here is what an extra few minutes of oral hygiene can do for you:

•  Reduce plaque between your teeth •  Decrease the risk of cavities between your teeth •  Lower your risk of gum disease •  Help you retain your natural teeth into your senior years

Flossing the Right Way

Flossing is very simple and will only add a few extra minutes to your oral hygiene routine. Gently position the floss between your teeth and wrap it around the tooth like a C-shape, work it up and down, taking care to get the entire tooth from top to bottom. It is important to pay careful attention to the teeth that are the furthest back in your mouth, as that is where food and particles tend to hide, which could potentially lead to cavities and gum disease.