Brush Your Teeth the Right Way

Since childhood, activities like brushing your teeth, washing hands before eating, and washing your face have been instilled in us. We have become so accustomed to these chores that we tend to perform them almost involuntarily now. While brushing teeth is an activity we have been doing for years, it is still important to make sure that you are brushing your teeth the right way.

• Using the right toothbrush is extremely important when it comes to your dental hygiene. People with sensitive teeth or treated teeth should use a toothbrush with medium or soft bristles. People with natural and strong teeth can go for hard bristles.
• Starting with the outer body of your teeth, you should take each tooth and slowly scrub the front part. Start scrubbing from the upper teeth and end when you reach the farthest end of your lower teeth.
• Now, keeping the toothbrush at an angle of 45 degrees, keep the bristles against the gum line to trap any remaining food or debris present in the corners of the gum line. You can slowly move your brush in a back-and-forth motion and keep going forward along the gum line.
• Skipping the inside of the teeth may seem doable and easy, but it will surely result in tooth decay over time. Therefore, always make sure that you move towards the inner and more hidden surfaces of the tooth after brushing the gum line and the outer surface. The inside of your teeth is highly vulnerable to attract bacteria and cause cavities as the food often gets stuck between the teeth.
• Last but not least, do not forget to brush your tongue thoroughly. The tongue is the pathway for all the food to pass down the esophagus. It accumulates much debris on its surface. Therefore, brushing it will clean the bacteria present on the tongue and give you a fresh breath.

• Make sure that you brush your teeth twice a day, along with flossing once a day. Do not brush for more than two minutes, as excessive brushing may cause gum recession or sensitivity.

Consult a dentist if you are facing any trouble finding the right toothbrush for you. They will take your dental history and then prescribe the best toothbrush for you. Not only that, you can call River Valley Smile Center at 479.646.0706 or book an appointment on our website. Visit our Facebook to stay up to date on all of our upcoming events!