How to brush your teeth properly?
Regular brushing of your teeth is fundamental for oral hygiene and your main instrument for a healthy and shiny smile. It removes food remains and prevents the development of cavities and periodontal diseases.
As opposed to the common habit of many patients, proper brushing is neither long-lasting nor energetic. On the contrary, you only need to brush your teeth for 3 minutes doing gentle hand movements.
Many people think that only vigorous brushing of teeth can be effective, but this is entirely wrong. Upon quick and aggressive movements one most frequently does not reach up to the surfaces with dental plaque, causing unwanted processes such as gingival retraction, bleeding gums and occasional tooth enamel erosion. Toothbrushing of is an automatic task and it is difficult to change the habit of vigorous brushing, yet in case your toothbrush is worn-out, its bristles are splayed out, and it is in poor condition it is time to change it. We advise you to follow these three simple steps:
- Use an appropriate toothbrush
Most dental experts recommend the use of soft toothbrushes with a smaller head, since they enable us to reach all the surfaces throughout the oral cavity. Moreover, do not forget to change your toothbrush every 2 months and even earlier if necessary, to avoid its becoming a habitat of millions of bacteria. - Proper toothbrushing
Place the toothbrush so that it reaches the tooth and a part of the gums and then place it at a 45 degree angle. Hence, you will reach the critical places where dental plaque is accumulated. Subsequently, brush your teeth and the gums with slow circular motions. The identical procedure needs to be repeated also for the tongue and from that direction. It is important to reach the necks of teeth, which are critical places for plaque accumulation, as well as other tooth surfaces. - Use dental floss or interdental brushes
Narrow spaces between the teeth that cannot be reached by the toothbrush need to be cleaned with dental floss or interdental brushes. In that way you will prevent plaque accumulation and remove food remains that cause bad breath and cavities.
Regular check-ups with the dental expert are definitely recommended, primarily if one is prone to gum infections and cavities. In case dental plaque and tartar have already accumulated due to improper toothbrushing techniques, they can be removed through a painless method upon a single visit.