Just like washing your hair and making your daily cup of coffee, brushing your teeth is an essential part of your every day self-care routine and should never be neglected.
The invigorating mint aftertaste and the feeling of cleanness after brushing your teeth can really wake you up and put you in the right mood to start your day. Ideally, you should be brushing your teeth twice a day for approximately two minutes each time.
This should also be combined with tooth flossing and mouthwash for a total and entire mouth clean. If you are wondering what the professionals have to say about daily teeth cleaning habits, read on to find out more and to really level up your teeth cleaning game.
Use the Right Toothbrush
Firstly, experts say that using a small, soft-bristled brush will be best for removing plaque and getting into tight spaces. Electric toothbrushes are also well recommended by many dental professionals out there.
And it certainly doesn’t have to be a state-of-the-art, ridiculously expensive electric toothbrush either – even basic electric toothbrushes will do the job and perform generally better than your standard toothbrush. This is especially useful if brushing is physically difficult for you or movement of your hands is limited.
Be Gentle and Thorough
When brushing your teeth, you definitely don’t want to brush too abrasively. This can cause wear and tear or even gum recession. Brush gently and take your time going over each tooth/section.
Make sure you brush the outside of teeth, inside of teeth and the chewing surfaces of your teeth. Brush in circular motions and against the gum line to get rid of any leftover food particles. If your teeth are particularly sensitive, you may want to look into getting a toothpaste specifically designed with your sensitivity in mind.
Replace Your Toothbrush
Follow the instructions of dental professionals by replacing your toothbrush every 2-3 months. The bristles of your toothbrush can lose their efficiency over time and old toothbrushes can also harbour bacteria if left for too long.
Even if you use an electric toothbrush, it’s important to regularly change out the brush head. So, if you are prone to forgetfulness, mark down the date in your calendar and don’t miss this step if you want a clean, healthy smile.
Use Fluoride Toothpaste
Using a fluoride toothpaste helps combat cavities, plaque and tartar. It protects tooth enamel and is the leading choice of dental professionals. If you are unsure about your brand/type of toothpaste, be sure to ask your dentist or oral hygienist, who can lead you in the right direction when it comes to choosing a suitable toothpaste for your needs.
Follow the 2 Minute Rule
Many people who suffer from bad breath, regular cavities, and other dental hygiene issues are neglecting to brush their teeth for a full 2 minutes. Keep in mind that even if you follow all the proper steps and guidelines, if you don’t commit to brushing your teeth for long enough, you will still not reap the benefits of improved oral hygiene.
If you want a fresh feeling (and smelling) mouth, brush for approximately 2 minutes both morning and night. You can make this simple by timing on your watch whenever you go to brush your teeth or choosing an electric toothbrush with an automatic timer that turns off when your 2 minutes are up.
Whatever you choose to do, it truly will make a difference when you brush for 2 minutes as opposed to 30 seconds or even just 1 minute.
Brush Braces Also
If you are brushing with braces on, it’s important to be mindful of them and remove any attachments and/or elastics before brushing.
Follow the instructions of your dentist and brush as normal. Brush over your braces as well to give them a good clean and make sure there are no food particles or debris stuck in them.
You will want to be extremely thorough when brushing with braces as food can easily get stuck in your braces and linger in your mouth, harbouring bacteria for longer periods than usual.
Brush Your Tongue
Never forget to finish off by brushing your tongue. Your tongue is an important and often neglected part of your oral health. Brush it firmly and thoroughly so that the amount of bacteria in your mouth is reduced. Oftentimes, bad breath can be fixed by simply brushing your tongue daily.
Rinse or Use Mouthwash
When your brushing is complete, you will want to rinse your mouth of any leftover toothpaste. Do so with some water and you can always follow up with mouthwash if you’d like. If mouthwash tends to dry out your mouth, you might want to try one that is alcohol-free.
It’s also a great idea to rinse or use your mouthwash throughout the day and after eating to ensure that no food or debris is leftover in your mouth.
Taking care of your teeth and gums doesn’t have to be hard. As long as you are following these guidelines and the instruction of your dentist, you can rest assured that you are in good hands.
Once these habits become a part of your daily routine, you will see how easy it is to maintain great oral hygiene. For more information about teeth cleaning and dental procedures in Mississauga and the GTA, please contact Bristol Dental at 866-673-2109 or contact us here.
We are a team of dedicated dentists and oral hygienists who can help ensure your oral health is on track. Contact us today for more information or to schedule a consultation. Your oral health and well-being are our top priority.
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