Are You Brushing Your Teeth Correctly?

Here at Luma Dental, we encourage our patients to brush their teeth twice a day and floss once. But, did you know, how you brush your teeth is as important as the frequency? Yes, there’s a right and wrong way to brush your teeth. Cleaning your teeth incorrectly may do more harm than good. Below, we have compiled five helpful tips you can incorporate into your dental hygiene routine to ensure excellent results.

Here’s how to brush your teeth correctly:

1. Wait 15-20 minutes after eating.

You might find it admirable to brush your teeth immediately after a meal, but this approach can hurt your teeth. Soon after eating, your teeth are susceptible to erosion due to the acids lingering in your mouth. These acids form due to the natural digestion process and soften your tooth enamel, making it prone to corrosion. We advise allowing at least 15 minutes after meals so your saliva can wash away these enamel-weakening acids.

2. Be firm but gentle.

You want to eliminate all the bacteria, food debris, and plaque in your mouth. However, aggressive brushing isn’t how you’ll accomplish this. Rough brushing only weakens tooth enamel, making you more susceptible to the problems you’re trying to avoid. Instead, be firm yet gentle when brushing your teeth.

3. Hold your toothbrush correctly.

The best way to hold your toothbrush when cleaning your teeth is at a 45-degree angle to your gums. This allows you to reach the maximum surface area of the teeth without hurting your gums. Remember to move the toothbrush in short, circular, back and forth motions while cleaning all the tooth’s surfaces.

4. Change your toothbrush often.

Keep an eye on your tools of trade, so you can replace them as soon as they show signs of wear. A worn toothbrush is ineffective and likely to miss crucial spots. Better yet, invest in an electric or battery-powered toothbrush. Several studies have reported that electric toothbrushes tend to clean better than their manual counterparts.

5. Book your dental exams and cleanings.

Lastly, brushing at home isn’t sufficient. You must supplement your efforts with regular dental exams and cleanings. These preventive visits allow your dentist to monitor your dental health closely and offer timely interventions when necessary.

For more dental health information, don’t hesitate to contact Luma Dental today.