Brushing our teeth every morning and getting ready for the day is our daily routine. But are you following the proper method of brushing your teeth? It's necessary to follow all essential steps to fight out the plague, clean your teeth, and maintain a healthy smile. From breaking down the food to providing a beautiful smile, your pearl white teeth play an essential role in your daily chores. You can take proper care of them by executing suitable tips for teeth brushing.

Brush your teeth in a perfect way

When you properly brush your teeth, it protects your teeth from diseases. Brushing your teeth regularly and in a correct manner assists in eliminating plagues and bacteria that form on your teeth consistently, including in your gum line. It can lead to cavities, tooth decay, and periodontal disease when it is not removed regularly.

Brushing your teeth assists you in slowing down the plague and not missing any spots. Here are five steps to brushing your teeth:

Step 1: Start by brushing your teeth' outer surface, the incisors, and canine teeth. Make sure to brush up to touch the upper teeth at 45 degrees at the tooth and gum junction downwards and you need 45 degrees at the tooth and gum junction upwards in the lower teeth.

Step 2: Tilt your toothbrush at an angle of 45 degrees. Slowly move your brush back and forth by using short and tooth-wide strokes. You can brush against the gum line to eliminate all trapped plagues or food debris.

Step 3: Now brush your teeth' inner surface. Mainly the inner part of your teeth is not visible but is highly vulnerable to plague. Make sure to brush up to touch the upper teeth at 45 degrees at the tooth and gum junction downwards and you need 45 degrees at the tooth and gum junction upwards in the lower teeth.

Step 4: Now, start cleaning the chewing surface of your teeth. Do not skip using short back and forth strokes to brush the top part of your back teeth, where food usually gets trapped.

Step 5: Scrape or brush your tongue. To get fresh breath, make sure you clean your tongue with a tongue cleaner. It also eliminates bacteria-causing odor.

Tips for brushing your teeth 

Executing the proper technique for brushing your teeth is a good start for appropriate oral hygiene. Ensure you also have the required tools and you are avoiding all mistakes.

Here are a few answers to some of the common teeth brushing questions:

• For how long and how frequently should I brush my teeth?

It is essential to brush your teeth twice a day for about 2 - 3 minutes. You can set a stopwatch or timer to ensure you offer your teeth the required attention and stand in front of a mirror to watch how you do the brushing

•  What kind of toothbrush should I use?

According to the American and Indian Dental Association, a soft-bristled brush is suitable for removing plaque and food debris. A toothbrush having a small head can easily reach all areas of your mouth. An electric toothbrush is also a good option for people who face difficulty brushing or have limited manual dexterity.

•   Which toothpaste should I use?

Are you facing difficulty in deciding? Are varied kinds of  toothpaste available based on your particular requirements, from treating cavities to whitening teeth and enhancing sensitivity? You can talk to your dental doctor or dental hygienist about which toothpaste is right for you.

•    Is it ok if I brush my teeth?

Yes, you can brush; ensure you give a gentle touch while brushing your teeth. Sometimes vigorous brushing can result in abrasion, gum recession, and tooth sensitivity.

•    How frequently should I replace my toothbrush?

Replace your toothbrush every three months. After every infection, it's necessary to change your toothbrush to avoid reinfection.

How to know whether your teeth are clean enough or not?

If you're not brushing your teeth properly, brushing for two minutes is not enough. While brushing, ensure that all of your teeth surfaces are clean and free from debris. Try to reach the behind of your front teeth and your back molars.

When you fail to reach those narrow areas or use an interdental brush, water flossers, or floss and you notice a buildup of plaque or any signs of bleeding in your gums, you are not cleaning your teeth enough. In your next appointment, your dental doctor lets you know whether you are brushing or flossing your teeth enough or not.

Nobody wants to deal with tooth decay and tooth disease. Start executing preventive oral care with the proper technique of brushing. With regular flossing and, visits to the dentist, properly brushing your teeth, you can keep your smile fresh, happy, and healthy. Log into mydentalplan.in and find a dentist who can give you more information about the same.

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About the Author:

Suprithi Choudhary, M.Pharm (Pharmacology) Medical Content writer

Suprithi is a Pharma Professional working as a medical content writer and previously worked as a Research Scientist and Senior Research Analyst

Education

• C.M Academy
• Attended the Panjab University- Chandigarh, Pharma post-graduate in Pharmacology

Special thanks to Dr Deepak Kulkarni, a dental surgeon with over 23 years of experience who proofread this blog. He graduated from the H.K.E's Dental College, Gulbarga, and has certifications in ACHS International Accreditation Education Plan; Advanced Rotary Endodontic - Restorative Continuum; and Leadership, Team Building and Customer Service Leadership from the Oscar Murphy International.