Brush Your Teeth the Proper Way
You’ve brushed your teeth countless times without giving it any thought. It takes you just a couple of minutes, around two to three times a day, and you’re off to do your everyday work. But have you ever stopped to think if you are brushing your teeth properly? Brushing teeth, when done the right way, can help prevent dental disease and make your smile last longer. The following steps from dentaldirectcare.com will guide you in the proper way of brushing teeth:
1. Put a pea-size amount of fluoride-filled toothpaste on your tooth brush.
2. Start brushing at the back of the mouth, or the molars, making sure that you angle the brush at 45 degrees in a round motion.
3. Gradually move the tooth brush forward, but remember not to manipulate the toothbrush in a harsh back and forth motion, but rotate the toothbrush as you go forward. This motion removes the plaque on the teeth.
4. Once you’re on the chewing surfaces of the teeth, place your toothbrush flat on the surfaces and move the toothbrush back and forth. This serves to remove the plaque in between the teeth.
5. To remove the plaque at the posterior portion of the teeth, hold the toothbrush vertically, instead of horizontally, using the tip portion of the bristles at a 45 degree angle.
6. Bear in mind that you should brush the outside surfaces of the teeth first, followed by the inner surfaces, and then the chewing surfaces.
7. Brush the tongue and the roof of the mouth gently. If this makes you gag, stick out your tongue to brush it, or use tongue scrapers. Most toothbrushes are now equipped with tongue cleaners.
8. If you’re finished brushing, rinse the mouth thoroughly with water and spit out the mixture of water and toothpaste.
According to dentaldirectcare.com, the whole process of brushing the teeth should take approximately two to three minutes. Anything less than that may indicate you are not cleaning your teeth thoroughly.
Dentaldirectcare.com also reminds you that you must brush your teeth at least twice a day (after eating breakfast and before going to sleep at night) to prevent plaque build-up.
