Proper brushing is important because it helps prevent tooth decay and gum disease, keeps your breath fresh, keeps your teeth white and improves your overall health. Oral disease can affect the health of the entire body, so regular brushing and visits to the dentist are essential to maintaining good health.
Here are a few steps for brushing your teeth properly:
Choose the right toothbrush: Use a soft toothbrush with a small brush head that allows you to reach all corners of your mouth. The soft bristles gently clean teeth and gums without damaging enamel.
Use the correct brushing technique: Hold the brush at an angle of about 45 degrees to the surface of the teeth and gums. Make gentle, circular motions to remove plaque and food debris. Don't forget to brush the inner surfaces of the teeth and chewing surfaces.Hold the brush at an angle of about 45 degrees to the surface of the teeth and gums. This will effectively remove plaque and food debris.Make gentle, circular brushing motions across the entire surface of your teeth and gums. This will help clean the teeth and massage the gums, improving blood circulation.Don't forget to brush the inner surfaces of the teeth by holding the brush vertically and making gentle up and down motions. Clean the chewing surfaces of the teeth by making horizontal brushing motions. After brushing your teeth, remember to brush your tongue to remove bacteria and food debris that can lead to bad breath.Brush your teeth at least twice a day - in the morning after breakfast and before bed. If possible, brush your teeth after meals as well.
Brush your tongue: After brushing your teeth, don't forget to brush your tongue as it can also harbour bacteria and food residues. You can use special tongue cleaners, which you can buy from a pharmacy or supermarket, to clean your tongue. You can also use the back of a toothbrush or just the edge of a toothbrush.Gently glide the surface of your tongue from back to front. Try to remove plaque and food debris from the tongue.After cleaning your tongue, rinse your mouth with water or use a gentle mouthwash to remove any remaining plaque and freshen your breath.
Floss: Use floss to clean between teeth where your toothbrush cannot reach. This will help prevent plaque and tooth decay.Smooth the floss between your teeth, gently penetrating between the teeth. Avoid applying too much pressure to avoid damaging the gums. To remove plaque and food debris, gently move the floss up and down along the sides of each tooth, the motion is similar to using a saw and is called the ‘saw’ motion. Once you have finished cleaning one interdental space, reposition the floss using a new area for each tooth. This will help prevent the spread of bacteria.
Use additional cleaning products: You can use interdental brushes, mouthwashes and toothpastes with fluoride to further protect your teeth.
Brush your teeth twice a day: Brush your teeth at least twice a day, in the morning after breakfast and before you go to bed. If you have time, brush your teeth in the afternoon.
Visit your dentist. It is recommended to have a professional cleaning twice a year and a dental check-up every three months to detect tooth decay in its early stages.
Make an appointment to find out and get advice from our doctors.