We’ve all been taught to brush at least once per day. This is a mantra that sticks in our heads practically the moment we grew teeth! We know that we should brush because the bacteria in our mouths lead to cavities, tooth decay, and even gum disease. However, what many people don’t know is that there are right and wrong ways to brush our teeth. What many people see as a simple and everyday task actually requires some prior knowledge in order to truly protect our pearly whites intact and bright n’ shiny!
Brush in Circles, Not Up and Down!
Cartoons and TV shows often depict people brushing their teeth in an up and down motion. This however, is not the most effective method to thoroughly brush your teeth. Brushing in a circular motion helps cover all areas of the tooth and reach all those nooks and crannies where plaque and tartar hide.
Brush All Sides, Not Just the Front!
Another reason not to take brushing tips from TV shows is because they never really show people brushing the backs of their teeth. It’s important to brush the side of your teeth facing the tongue because these also accumulate tartar and plaque. Just because you can’t see ‘em doesn’t mean you can ignore ‘em!
Brush Your Tongue!
Brushing your teeth actually means brushing your whole mouth, as the entire plays host to all those harmful bacteria, including your tongue. Say “aaah” and brush back to front to remove all that bacteria sitting on your tongue to help make sure your breath stays minty fresh.
Replace Your Toothbrush Every Three to Four Months
A very important rule that many people are not aware of is that you must replace your toothbrush every three to four months. Toothbrushes, like pretty much anything man-made, are susceptible to wear and tear, and may no longer be effective when the bristles are all wiry and bent instead of the flexible kind that can reach every corner of our teeth.
Oral hygiene should not be ignored as it is an important part of our overall health. In order to maintain ourselves as healthy and happy individuals we should take better care of our teeth and gums and we can start this by learning how to properly brush our teeth and take care of our pearly whites better. Choosing the best toothbrush doesn’t really matter unless you know how to use it, and although brushing is something everyone is supposed to do every day, not too many people can actually do it right. It’s important to know how to brush properly and where to brush so that we can keep our pearly whites just as they are – pearly white!
If you have any questions, make sure to ask your dentist what toothbrush is right for you.
