The Basics of Tooth Brushing

We’ve all been told time and time again about the importance of keeping up with your regular visits to your dentist and dental hygienist. Regular check-ups are important to making sure that any small problems are identified and treated before they have the chance to develop into larger, more complex problems.

But there’s also a lot you can do at home to develop good oral hygiene habits and take proper care of your teeth and gums that will prevent these small problems from developing in the first place. The first is creating and maintaining a consistent daily routine that involves regular brushing, flossing and rinsing.

While brushing is one of the most important ways of keeping healthy teeth, all brushing is not the same, and it’s important that you brush properly to maximize its benefits and minimize any harm that can be caused by improper brushing.

It’s possible to damage your gums and teeth with your toothbrush. In fact, one of the most common problems we’ve noticed with our adult patients is caused by brushing teeth improperly.

Here are some tips to make sure you’re brushing in a way that will help keep your teeth and mouth healthy.

1. Choose the right brush. Buy a toothbrush with soft bristles that is a size and shape that fits your mouth comfortably. A firm toothbrush is no more effective than a soft toothbrush, but the firm bristles are much more abrasive, and they can erode enamel and gums and cause damage to your teeth and gums over a long period of time.

2. When you’re brushing, place your toothbrush against the gum line and gently move it back and forth across the surface of the teeth, without exerting much pressure. Then, bring the brush back to the area you started with and gently sweep the brush along the surface of the tooth at least five times, starting at the gum line and finishing at the end of the tooth. Repeat this process until you’ve covered the inside and outside surface of every tooth. To finish, use the toothbrush to gently scrub the biting surfaces of each one of your teeth. A proper brushing should take about 2 to 3 minutes.

When used properly, toothbrushes and dental floss can be the easiest way to maintain a bright, healthy smile at home.  Call the team at Petrolia Dental in South Edmonton to assess the condition of your teeth and gums. We’ll let you know if you’ve been brushing properly and provide tips and tricks on how to improve your at-home oral care routine.