Are you sure that you are brushing your teeth properly? Have you recently noticed that your breath is less fresh than usual or that plaque has built up along the gum line of your teeth? Many people brush incorrectly and forget to do other important daily routines essential to healthy teeth and gums.
Some of the things you may forget when brushing are listed below.
Brushing Your Front Teeth Correctly
Start by placing your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against one side of your mouth as recommended by the dentist. Your toothbrush should be positioned between two teeth, with the bristles pointing toward the back of your mouth. Now, gently move your toothbrush in a circular motion between those two teeth. At the same time, pull your toothbrush straight out from between those teeth to create a clean sweeping motion that will help you reach all areas of that gap between the two central incisors.
The Use of Interdental Toothbrushes
The first thing you do when brushing your teeth is clean the outside surfaces of your upper teeth. After you are done with that, move on up to your lower teeth and then finish it off by cleaning the chewing surfaces of all your molars.
Keep in mind that whenever you begin brushing between your teeth, you need to apply a small amount of pressure. As long as you are not pressing too hard, it is OK if the bristles bend a bit against the direction of your gums. This is what they are designed to do. This helps them clean all those spaces between your teeth that are otherwise unreachable by traditional toothbrushes.
Choosing the Right Toothbrush
When choosing a brush, you need to make sure the bristles are stiff enough for your teeth but not too hard on your gums. If you are looking for the right toothbrush size, try this test. Hold your thumb against your teeth and press slightly. You can also try looking for a toothbrush with a smaller head, as this will allow you to brush all those hard-to-reach places easier. The perfect pick is a brush with flexible necks and dense bristles.
Before anything else, it is important to brush your teeth at least twice a day, preferably after each meal. Dentists recommend using an ADA (American Dental Association) approved soft-bristled toothbrush that you can buy from your local drugstore or supermarket.