Are Your Brushing Your Teeth Properly?

Yes, there is a right and wrong way to brush your teeth. Surprise! We bet you didn’t know that. There’s a lot more to the process than simply smothering toothpaste on your brush and brushing your teeth. There are angles and movements involved. Your teeth are shaped in such a way that a brush must be used on the front, sides, and back of your teeth. You would be surprised just how many patients are unsure of the proper way to brush their teeth. Also, many patients forgo flossing. It’s just as important as brushing your teeth and can help keep tooth decay, plaque and tartar off of your tooth’s surface.

At our office in Ft. Collins, CO, we go out of our way to help our patients understand how important it is to practice good dental hygiene habits at home. These habits include brushing and flossing correctly. Dr. Lindsey is the dentist Ft. Collins, CO residents can trust. She wants your smile to look and feel as clean as possible, and learning how to properly brush your teeth will help achieve those results. Pick up your toothbrush, get somewhere where there’s a mirror, and start practicing.

Toothbrush Technique 101 – Class is in Session

The morning is the perfect time to start perfecting your brushing technique. First, let’s start with how long you should brush your teeth. It should last for a full two minutes, no less. If you can wait for a bag of popcorn to pop in a microwave, you can spend two minutes brushing. Just 120 seconds, that’s all. Most adults don’t spend near as much time, so it’s important that you’re spending that time brushing away. Our Timnath, Windsor and Severance residents can benefit greatly from altering their brushing routine.

First off, you should use short and gentle strokes. Your teeth are very fragile and require a soft touch. Some patients ram the toothbrush bristles so hard against their teeth that they take a bit of enamel with them. You should be brushing your gumline, too. This is where food particles and other bacteria love to hang out. Be sure to hit all the hard-to-reach places including areas with fillings, crowns or other dental restorations. Each surface must be cleaned – outer surfaces, inner surfaces, and chewing surfaces. Every part of the tooth should be cleaned. Don’t forget about the tongue! A fresh scrub from back-to-front will kill bacteria and food particles.

How you hold your brush is also very important. Typically, 45 degrees is the best angle to hold your toothbrush. As you make your way over each tooth, sweep the brush away from the gumline while maintaining contact with the tooth’s surface. Brushing at an angle helps hit those hard-to-reach areas.

Need More Help? Schedule an Appointment

We can answer any questions you have when it comes to brushing your teeth properly. It does make a difference and we want you to experience it for yourself. Your teeth and gums will benefit from these subtle changes made to your twice-daily routine. If you live in or around the Ft. Collins, CO area, we’d love for you to visit us!