From a young age, we’re all told how important it is to brush our teeth, but how many of us are actually instructed as to how to do it properly? Studies show that approximately one quarter of Canadians has failed to see a dentist in the past year, and many brush their teeth in a way that does not actively prevent tooth decay. The primary reason for this is that many of us tend to rush through our home hygiene routine.
What is the Right Way to Brush My Teeth?
The Canadian Dental Association recommends that teeth be brushed for two minutes, twice per day, and that each tooth brushing session be broken down into four quadrants, or sections. If you spend just 30 seconds on the bottom left, 30 more seconds on the bottom right, and so on, you’ll find that your two minutes flies by faster than you might expect. Breaking down your brush time this way also helps to ensure that each and every tooth is getting the close attention it needs.
Technique is also a big issue, with only one-third of Canadians describing their oral health regimen as “good” or “excellent.” The truth is that taking proper care of your teeth isn’t difficult; in fact, it’s a lot easier than many think. The pressure you use to brush, for example, shouldn’t be forceful or cause discomfort. Light to moderate strokes in an up-and-down or circular motion are all it takes for each tooth. This is in stark contrast to the brisk, back-and-forth motion many of us errantly learned as children, when our dexterity was substantially more limited.
You can actually dramatically improve your oral hygiene routine with a simple switch from a regular toothbrush to a quality electric one, like the Oral-B Deep Sweep. This type of brush is capable of removing up to 99.7% of plaque from areas that are difficult or impossible to reach with a manual toothbrush.
If you remember and follow these simple steps, you’ll likely be pleasantly surprised at your next dental checkup:
- Tilt your tooth brush at a 45° angle against your gum line and brush away from it, effectively removing any plaque buildup.
- Brush the inside, outside, and chewing surfaces of each tooth using short circular motions to avoid scraping the gums.
- Brush your tongue to remove any plaque or bacteria.
- Use an ADA-approved mouthwash, such as Crest Pro-Health antibacterial mouth rinse, to fully rid your mouth of any remaining debris.
As always, if you ever have any questions about tooth brushing technique or your general oral health, our team is here to help!
Schedule Your Next Visit Today
Has it been more than six months since your last visit with Dr. Tamo? If so, there’s never been a better time to schedule a checkup and cleaning at our technologically-advanced Toronto dental office. We genuinely look forward to helping you achieve and maintain optimal oral health. Dr. Tamo warmly welcomes families from throughout Toronto, Oakville, Scarborough, Mississauga, Markham, and nearby Ontario communities.