Tips for Brushing Your Teeth
Having great oral care is one of the best ways to ensure that you’re taking care of yourself and your body. That’s why brushing (and flossing!) your teeth daily to monitor your mouth for any changes should be an integral part of your day.
Everyone knows that you need to brush your teeth twice a day for a full 2 minutes – our dentists are have hammering that into our heads for generations. But, there are a lot of things about brushing that many people don’t know. It’s important to treat your teeth and gums in the best way you can, so we wanted to point out some of the things you can change about your daily regiment.
Soft Bristles are More Effective Than Hard Bristles
It’s easy to gravitate towards firmer bristles when you’re picking out a toothbrush at the store. You may be thinking to yourself, “If I use firmer bristles, I can get all the nooks and crannies.” We get where you’re coming from, but, the opposite is actually true. When you opt for a firm-bristled brush, the bristles are naturally going to be more rigid and less likely to mold to the tooth while you’re brushing. In fact, a firmer bristle is more likely to wear away at your gums and enamel than give your teeth the clean they need. We recommend using a soft-bristled toothbrush so you can avoid that happening. Your mouth will thank you.
You Don’t Have to Brush Hard
Along the same lines, it’s easy for you to think that the harder you brush, the cleaner your mouth will be. It’s actually better to go easy on your teeth because if you brush firmly, you stand the chance of eroding away your enamel. Your enamel is, of course, integral in the longevity of your oral history, so make sure to have a lighter hand when you brush. If you can’t do that with your manual toothbrush, consider investing in an electric toothbrush that has a pressure sensor built in. That way, you take the thinking out of brushing your teeth and let your brush do all the work.
Most People Forget to Brush the Inside Surface of Their Teeth
The inside surface of your teeth, or the side that your tongue rests against, is an often neglected area of the mouth. A lot of people focus all of their brushing attention to the surfaces of the teeth that the outside world is more liable to see. But, if you don’t brush the inside surface of your mouth, the food and beverages you consume are likely to settle there and calcify, which can create more issues in the long run. To remedy that, remember to brush all surfaces of your teeth.
You Don’t Have to Immediately Brush After Every Meal
A lot of people have started to brush their teeth directly after meals to maintain fresh breath throughout the day. While this is a prime example of having great manners, it’s not so great for your oral hygiene. When you eat, you’re inevitably going to have some acids in your mouth from your food. Brushing right after you’ve eaten is harmful because the act of brushing can help the acids in your mouth erode your teeth. To make sure this doesn’t happen, swish water around and wait a little bit before you brush.
We hope that you learned a thing or two about how to treat your teeth a little bit better. If you’re in need of a dentist to give them a deeper clean, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team at All Smiles Care!
