Are You Brushing Your Teeth Long Enough and Correctly?

Brushing Teeth​​​​​​​
  • By Courthouse Art of Dentistry
  • May 31, 2021

    • Your daily routine likely includes the times you have to fix your hair and wash your face. What about your teeth? Are you brushing correctly for a long enough time? If you are not, you need to adjust your habits and techniques to make them better.

     

    How to Brush Your Teeth Correctly


    Knowing how to brush correctly is your first line of defense in keeping your pearly whites healthy and clean. When you brush, you remove bacteria and plaque that are constantly forming in your mouth, around your teeth, and on your gums. If you do not brush regularly, you run the risk of suffering from periodontal disease.

    First, start with the outside of your teeth, but take your time. Be gentle as you use a soft-bristled toothbrush in small, circular motions. Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle as you brush near your gums so you can effectively reach the space between your teeth and your gums. You do not want to brush too hard because you could cause damage. You also do not want to push too softly. Shoot for medium pressure for optimal brushing.

    Do not forget to brush the inside of your teeth. This side commonly gets missed because you do not see them, but do not forget to brush that area the same way. Once you have cleaned the outside and inside of your teeth, you can clean the chewing surfaces. Remember to use gentle brush strokes as you go.

    The last thing you should remember to do is to also brush your tongue. Most people forget to do so, but it is a good idea to brush it because bacteria grow on your tongue. By brushing it, you get rid of more bacteria and you get to enjoy fresh breath.

     

    The Three T’s of Brushing


    When you brush, you want to keep in mind time, your toothbrush, and the type of toothpaste. Thinking about time, you want to keep brushing your teeth for at least two minutes per day. Set a timer on your phone or listen to an entire song to get the right amount of time to brush.

    Plenty of different toothbrushes exist, but you want to look for ones that the American Dental Association approves. The ADA recommends soft-bristled brushes with a small brush head. Smaller heads are better able to reach everywhere in your mouth. You may also want to consider electric toothbrushes. If you want suggestions or recommendations, you can always ask your dentist.

    Choosing the right toothpaste is also a critical part of making sure your teeth are brushed correctly. You want to use toothpaste that contains fluoride. The purpose of fluoride is to strengthen tooth enamel and ward off cavities. To be sure you are using good toothpaste, look for the ones with ADA approval.


    To book a cleaning or get advice, call Courthouse Art of Dentistry at 703-260-9600 to get on the schedule at our office in Arlington, Virginia.