You’re probably brushing your teeth wrong – here’s how it should be done

We all know how important it is to brush our teeth regularly; along with visiting the dentist for regular check-ups and the occasional dental treatment, it’s crucial for keeping our teeth healthy and squeaky clean. However, even though we all know we should brush our teeth twice a day, floss daily, and use mouthwash to help remove plaque and bacteria that brushing alone can’t reach, it’s easy to slip into an automatic routine and forget about proper brushing techniques when you’re getting ready for bed or the day ahead.

At AP Smilecare, we care about your oral health, and we don’t want all of your teeth-rushing efforts to be in vain! So the question is, are you brushing your teeth properly? Let’s find out, and if you aren’t, don’t worry, we’re going to teach you how!

How to brush your teeth like a pro

We brush our teeth to remove any bacteria or plaque that builds up throughout the day. But if we aren’t brushing correctly, this plaque and bacteria build up on the teeth and in the gum line, eventually leading to bad breath, cavities, tooth decay, and even gum diseases (periodontal disease). This does more harm than just costing you an extra trip to the dentist; it can cause tooth loss, sensitive or bleeding gums and teeth, and a host of other dental issues.

To avoid any of these problems, all you need to do is ensure you’re keeping your brushing technique on point – which is easy to do when you know how! So here’s how you can brush your teeth like a pro:

Step 1:

Place your teeth together, and using short circular motions, start by brushing the outer surfaces of your upper and lower teeth. Take your time going all around your mouth, ensuring you get every tooth – remember not to apply too much pressure!

Step 2:

Now, using those same soft circular motions, you want to tilt your brush downward 45 degrees and brush your lower gum line. Be gentle and ensure you get every tooth. The tilt helps to ensure that you’re really getting into all the nooks and crannies you need under the gum for optimal cleaning. Once you’re satisfied you’ve cleared your lower gum line, repeat the same steps on your upper gum line.

Step 3:

Now that you’ve taken care of the outside of your mouth, you can move on to the insides of your teeth, which do all the chewing. Gently brush the insides of your upper and lower teeth, making sure you get every tooth, freeing and removing any trapped food that may be hiding. Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle again for the best clean.

Step 4:

Once your teeth are squeaky clean, the last step is to clean your tongue! It’s easy to forget to scrub your tongue, but it actually makes a world of difference to your overall oral health. Your tongue can harbour bacteria that cause decay and bad breath, so brushing it is important!

Step 5:

Now that you’ve finished brushing your teeth, you might be tempted to freshen up your breath with some minty mouthwash – which sounds like a good idea, right? Well, what if we told you that it’s not? Mouthwash is excellent between brushes for helping to keep your mouth fresh and minty. Still, it’s best to avoid using it straight after you’ve finished brushing your teeth because it’ll wash away the concentrated fluoride in the toothpaste left on your teeth (which helps to keep your teeth strong and healthy).

And that’s the basics of brushing covered! Now of course, brushing your teeth twice a day is only part of what you need to do to keep your pearly whites in great shape. We understand that it can be difficult to get back into the routine of regular checkups and treatments but trust us, you’ll be thankful you did. So, if you’re in need of a friendly local dentist, look no further!

At AP Smilecare, our number one priority is making sure our patients feel comfortable and at ease in our chairs. We offer a range of both general dental treatments and cosmetic treatments to help you get your best smile! If you want to book an appointment with one of our friendly and experienced dentists, give our practice a call at 01254 297 000, and we’ll be happy to help!