Guide on brushing your teeth

Are you brushing your teeth correctly?

It is recommended that your brush your teeth twice daily, morning and night, and ideally also after meals, if you have the opportunity to do so. You should also floss once a day, as you will recall your parents advised you to do when you were a child. The real question is, are your brushing your teeth correctly? How do you know?

It is best to seek advice from your dentist or dental hygienist! There is no need to feel stupid by asking this question. Your dentist is fully aware of how essential it is to use the correct techniques when you are brushing your teeth. He or she will be able to give you some helpful tips to ensure that you can do a thorough job.

Here are the correct techniques to use when you are brushing your teeth:

§  Brush your teeth at least twice every daily. This task should always last longer than only a few seconds. In fact, it should require up to two or three minutes, so as to make sure that you have fully completed all that you need to do.

§  Placing your toothbrush at a forty-five degree angle, repeatedly move it along the outside of your teeth using light, vertical movements. This task should be carried out in as gentle a manner as possible, in order to avoid damaging your teeth and gums during the process. Next position your tooth brush inside your mouth, beside your back teeth. Place the soft bristles of your brush into the crevices of your teeth and make sure you have carefully cleaned them. You can then brush the back of your teeth. The final step is to brush the roof of your mouth.

§  You may wish to use a tongue scarper to remove any remaining debris. Swirl water around your mouth and complete the task by using dental floss to access areas that are too difficult for your toothbrush to reach.