How Should You Brush Your Teeth?
Brush your teeth is something we all should do twice every single day. Or least should be doing.
But, according to experts, many of us have actually been doing it completely wrong. With more people than ever skipping their routine dental checkups over the past few years due to COVID, it is crucial to maintain good oral hygiene to ward off any painful emergencies. In other words, if there was ever a good time to reassess our teeth-brushing technique, it’s now.
Use a good fluoride toothpaste
All you need is a pea-size amount of good fluoride toothpaste, the experts say. Adults should use a toothpaste that contains at least 1,450 parts per million (ppm) fluoride. At nighttime, spit out excess toothpaste but try not to rinse after brushing, in order to leave a reservoir of fluoride which will help to remineralize tooth enamel and prevent cavities. During the day, after meals, use an alcohol-free fluoride mouthwash to keep your enamel strong.
Follow the 45-degree rule
A good way to brush your teeth is to use the 45-degree rule. Place the head of your toothbrush against your lower teeth, and then tilt the bristles to a 45-degree angle against the gumline. Try to keep the angle throughout; it gives better leverage to remove plaque and germs.
Use small circular movements
Move the brush in small circular movements several times over the surfaces of every tooth. Brush the outer surfaces of each tooth first, then go in and do the occlusal (inside) surface in nice circular motions all the way around. Move up to the upper set of teeth and repeat the small circular movements on the outside teeth first, keeping the bristles angled against the gumline. To clean inside the surfaces of the front teeth, tip the toothbrush vertically and make several small strokes up and down with the front part of the brush.