13 Mar How To Brush Your Teeth Like a Dentist
Brushing your teeth is very important. It helps keep your mouth happy and healthy by reducing your risk of cavities and gum disease. If you’ve already picked out your toothpaste, and toothbrush, all that is left to do is to actually brush your teeth. Here’s how to brush like a dentist.
How to Brush Your Teeth Like a Pro
Brush two times a day.
Icky-sticky plaque forms when leftover food particles stick to your teeth and collect other food particles and bacteria. When we brush our teeth, it removes this sticky substance. We recommend brushing first thing in the morning and right before you go to bed. This will help reduce plaque and fight cavities.
Only use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste.
A pea-sized amount of toothpaste is all you really need to adequately clean your teeth. While some might feel more will clean your teeth better, this is not true. Too much toothpaste might become stuck in hard-to-reach areas of your mouth, acting as a magnet for food particles and plaque. Another reason to stick to a pea-sized amount of toothpaste is fluoride. While small amounts are good for your teeth, it is best to keep the amount ingested low. Using smaller amounts of toothpaste can help.
Move your toothbrush in small circles with light, consistent pressure.
While an up-and-down action will get your teeth clean, small circles will dislodge more plaque and reach more parts of your tooth. No matter the type of toothbrush, small circles will get your teeth cleaner. The pressure you put on your brush also matters. Too much pressure will wear down your tooth enamel, leading to sensitivity. Too little pressure will not adequately remove plaque from your teeth.
Your toothpaste does not need to taste like mint.
You don’t need to use mint toothpaste. Hear us out—if the taste of mint toothpaste is what is keeping you from brushing your teeth…don’t use it. Children’s fluoride toothpaste comes in flavors like strawberries or cotton candy, and cleans just as well. Several companies now make non-mint flavored toothpaste for adults, too!
The Importance of Brushing Your Teeth
Brushing your teeth is an important part of keeping your mouth healthy. Brushing twice a day removes plaque, stopping the formation of cavities and the progression of gum disease. These two oral health issues can lead to the loss of teeth, degradation of the gums, and even bone loss in your jaw. They can also make you prone to infections.
Dental Care from the Best
Even when you brush your teeth like a dentist, you still need twice-yearly dental care. A good oral care routine helps keep your teeth clean, but a checkup and cleaning will help detect problems like cavities and gum disease.
At Hicks Dental Group, your health matters to us, and we are here for all your oral health needs. If you’re due for a cleaning and exam, contact us today to schedule an appointment.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (3/13/24). Photo by Diana Polekhina on Unsplash.