How to brush your teeth properly may seem like a ridiculous topic but I guarantee you that the vast
majority of people are not following the right cleaning regimen for healthy teeth and gums. Read on to find out how to brush your teeth the correct way.
Most people only brush their teeth for 17 – 20 seconds… and NO, this is not long enough to give your mouth and teeth a thorough clean. Dentists advise that you should brush your teeth for a minimum of 2 minutes a day, twice a day. Here are some tips on how to brush your teeth properly to avoid any gum disease, remove plaque and prevent gingivitis:
The lesser known and used practice of using a tongue cleaner is a very important part of cleaning the mouth in that it removes bacteria that living beneath the surface of your tongue. These anaerobic bacteria are the cause of bad breath and if you do not use a tongue cleaner or brush your tongue, you are quite simply not giving your mouth a thorough clean.
Brush your teeth by holding your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against your gum line. Gently brush your teeth from the gum line to the chewing surface of the tooth in short strokes. Be careful not to Brush your teeth too hard because if you brush your teeth too hard it can cause receding gums, tooth sensitivity, and, over time, loose teeth. Brush all of the teeth in your mouth this way. Make sure to brush your teeth on the inside and outside.
Using short sweeping strokes brush the chewing surfaces of your teeth. Tip the bristles of your tooth brush into the pits and crevices.
Hold your toothbrush at a vertical angle then use back and forth motions to clean the inside surfaces of your top and bottom front teeth and gums.
Use a forward-sweeping motion to softly brush your tongue and the roof of your mouth. This will help to remove the decay-causing bacteria that exist in these places.
The correct way to Floss
Flossing is an essential part of good oral hygiene that removes any food particles that could potentially cause bad breath and gum disease. For healthy gums and teeth, floss at least once a day but preferably twice a day and after meals. Flossing is important because it removes the plaque and particles of food between your teeth.
The type of floss you prefer makes no difference in its effectiveness. The unwaxed floss is just thinner and can slide through smaller spaces easier than the waxed type. Personally I prefer to use a “tape” dental floss.
Avoid injuring your gums which releases small amounts of blood into your mouth and provides the nutrition for bad breath bacteria to spread. While flossing follow these instructions:
Carefully insert the floss between two teeth, using a back and forth motion. Slowly and carefully bring the floss to the gum line, but don’t force it under the gums. Curve the floss around the edge of your tooth and slide it up and down the side of each tooth. Do this for the all of your teeth. Remember to floss the back sides of your back teeth as well.
The earlier you start your children using a good oral hygiene program, the better. There are some alarming statistics which suggest that between 70% and 84% of teenagers between 15 and 17 suffer with some form of periodontal disease. The most common of which is early onset periodontitis.
By teaching your children from a very early age to observe good oral hygiene, you will not only ensure that they have good strong teeth and gums throughout their lives but will save an untold fortune on Dentists visits. One thing that is essential, is to see an oral hygienist on a regular basis (twice annually is recommended)