Just like with fashion, hairstyle and makeup, brushing your teeth should be done in a manner that fits your needs perfectly. There is actually no wrong or right way to clean your mouth with a toothbrush. Everything is dependent on your dental condition. It’s therefore important to coordinate with your trusted dentist to know the most appropriate approach for you.
Still there are certain guidelines that can help you attain the best possible oral hygiene. Many of them have been taught to your by your parents and school teachers when you were little. When it comes to cleaning your teeth, gums and tongue, nothing much has really changed despite of the current plethora of toothbrush styles and toothpaste formulations.
Definitely, you should arm yourself with a toothbrush whose bristles are neither too stiff nor too soft each time you are at the sink to do some oral cleaning. Dentists say that the session should last for about 2 minutes. To keep yourself from rushing things and ending the act before you have actually cleaned your mouth thoroughly, turn off the faucet.
If all through your life you have been using up-and-down and small circular strokes to brush your teeth, give yourself a pat on the back. It is a good idea to hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to remove plaque along the gum line effectively. Still it is a case to case basis. If you are prone to having recession and abrasion at the gum line, a 45-degree angle may be disadvantageous. Your dentist is the right person to tell you how you should brush without further damaging your teeth.
Brushing your tongue thoroughly is an important matter because that’s where most of the oral bacteria can be found. It should be done after you are through brushing your teeth and not the other way around. Otherwise, you are only going to spread those bacteria all over your mouth. Once you’re through cleaning the tongue, rinse thoroughly with water.
Be wary of using whitening toothpastes especially if your dentists have been telling you that there are telltale signs that you are brushing your teeth too hard. Whitening toothpastes contain silica that can wear away enamel, leaving you with sensitive teeth. Because your enamel can’t grow back, it pays to be gentle each time you brush. If you have the tendency to brush too hard, try holding your toothbrush with just 2 or 3 fingers to help ensure light brushing.
Whenever a toothbrush is not within your easy reach and you feel like your teeth can use some cleaning, munch on crunchy fruits and vegetables. Being rich in fiber and water, chewing on them allows you to clean your teeth in an all-natural way.
