Yes, it’s something we all do every day, but that doesn’t mean that we are getting the most out of brushing our teeth. It’s easy to get set into a routine and to develop (sometimes bad) habits. Today we’ll go over some tips and techniques that you can deploy today in order to get more out of your daily tooth brushing routine. Who knows? It may just save you from an unpleasant cavity in the future!
Proper technique can help prevent cavities, gingivitis, plaque buildup, and tooth decay.
Angle Is Key
This one has been taking the social media world by storm because it shatters most everyone’s concept of how they have been brushing their teeth their entire lives. When most of us brush our teeth, we hold the brush so that the bristles are perpendicular to the sides of our teeth. That is incorrect, according to the American Dental Association (ADA), the proper angle is actually a 45° angle to your gums instead of a 90° angle or perpendicular. You can learn more about the proper brushing angle here at the ADA’s website.
Use A Soft Brush
Contrary to conventional thought, harder and stronger are not better when it comes to brushing your teeth properly! You should be using only soft bristled toothbrushes instead of medium or harder ones. This is because the softer bristles spread out more and are able to get those sneaky areas between teeth and around the gumline much better than a hard bristled brush. Hard bristled brushes are also known to be tougher on your gum tissue which can lead to irritation and even gingivitis. So, toss your old brushes and stock up on soft bristled brushes only!
Go Vertical!
Did you know that the best way to get the backs of your front rows of teeth (typically incisors and canines) is to turn your brush vertically and brush straight up and down? Check out this short video from the ADA that shows the proper technique for getting to this hard to reach area that is often (tragically) overlooked during a regular brushing session. Video here.
Order Matters
Did you know that about 44% of the U.S. population uses mouthwash regularly in addition to their daily brushing routine? Mouthwash can help keep your breath fresh and even help fight the buildup of harmful plaque but it can also hinder your nightly routine. If you use mouthwash each night as recommended, you should be using it in a certain way in order to get the most out of it. The best way to use mouthwash effectively is to use it BEFORE you brush and not after. This is because if you use it afterwards you tend to wash away the beneficial layer of fluoride that your toothpaste leaves behind which means that your teeth may not be getting the proper amount of fluoride treatment they need. So, make sure that you rinse with mouthwash first and then brush and allow the toothpaste to form a natural coating around your teeth to help them stay clean and strong!
How Lake Harbor Dental Can Help
If you’d like more information or would like to make an appointment with one of the dentists on staff, please contact us to schedule an appointment. Lake Harbor Dental is conveniently located in Boise’s North End at the intersection of West State Street and North Harbor.
