We brush our teeth every day, but we may not be taking the right steps to ensure a whole mouth clean. Knowing how to brush correctly not only keeps our teeth clean, it can also help prevent gum disease and tooth decay in the long run. As easy as it may seem, there may be some common mistakes that people do make when brushing their teeth.
Use the right toothbrush for you
When choosing your toothbrush, choosing a soft bristle brush is much better than a medium or hard brush. As hard bristles are not as flexible, they may wear down your teeth and gums, causing damage over time.
If you have a small mouth, the head of the brush should not be too big. Getting one with a smaller head will ensure that you’ll be able to reach all areas of your mouth easily, including the molars in the back. Try a child brush!
Electric toothbrushes are great as they often have very small brush heads.
Toothpaste
Fluoride toothpaste is super important in reducing decay risk. Children from 18 months of age should use a pea sized amount of toothpaste pushed into the bristles (to prevent swallowing a big blob) until they are 6 years old. Children 6 and over can use the same toothpaste as an adult.
Duration
While most people brush two times a day, brushing is a process you do not want to rush. The right amount of brushing is recommended at around 2 minutes each time. Get a timer or play a 2-minute song and brush your teeth for the whole duration using gentle, circular motions on all surfaces of your teeth especially the gumline.
Complete your oral care routine
Even if you already do all the above, your oral care routine is still not complete without flossing. Flossing is important as regular brushing can’t reach the areas between your teeth. To maintain good oral health, flossing or its equivalents is needed to dislodge food particles and plaque.
To keep your oral health in top condition all year round, don’t forget to pencil in your dental visits and get routine dental check-up and cleaning done at your local Ballarat dentist. Whether it is for yourself or your family, contact us via phone or visit our clinic to book an appointment with one of our friendly dentists.