How to brush your teeth: Your guide to learn to brush properly
5 min. read
It’s a well-known fact that you should brush your teeth at least twice a day. 1 Unfortunately, most people don’t apply the right technique – usually because they simply don’t know how. Oral hygiene is not only a key component of the care required for the health of our teeth, but also the health of our whole body. The state of your teeth can affect your overall health and cause certain illnesses in other parts of the body.2 Knowing how to brush teeth properly will guarantee the optimal health of your teeth. In this article we’ll explore these steps to find out the correct way to brush teeth: Read on to discover our step-by-step guide on how to brush teeth properly, whether you’re using a manual or an electric toothbrush, as well as answers to the most common questions, like “how long should you brush your teeth?”
How to properly brush your teeth using a manual toothbrush
In the past, it was said to brush teeth with circular motions. Today, this technique is considered outdated, and experts advise to brush the teeth with the so-called “Bass-Method.” 3 Below are four super simple steps for properly brushing teeth: Ultimately to brush properly using a manual toothbrush you just need to work with a system! Always begin with the inner surfaces of your upper and lower jaw. After that, get working on the outer surfaces. Finally, brush the chewing surfaces.
How to brush teeth using an electric toothbrush
Ultimately, when it comes to following steps for the proper way to brush teeth, an electric toothbrush has a number of advantages compared to a manual toothbrush. This is because with an electric toothbrush, you can reach places in your mouth that are hard to reach with a normal toothbrush. Here’s how to use a round-headed electric toothbrush for properly brushing teeth:
If you already own a sonic toothbrush, congratulations! Thanks to its oblong brush head, the steps for how to brush teeth are simple. After all, a sonic toothbrush allows you to clean multiple teeth simultaneously, without having to apply pressure to your teeth and gums. This is how to use a sonic toothbrush for properly brushing teeth:
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FAQs about the proper way to brush teeth
Now that you know how to properly brush your teeth and keep your mouth healthy, let’s have a look at some of the most common questions around brushing teeth properly. If you’re wondering whether you should brush your teeth before or after breakfast, we recommend brushing before. Once you have eaten, the bacteria found in your mouth begin to increase production of the acids that lead to plaque, therefore brushing – and cleaning away any plaque and bacteria – before this process starts makes much more sense. Good technique and thorough toothbrushing is beneficial for your oral health, but you should wait at least 30 minutes after eating to avoid damage to the tooth enamel. It's also important to know what you can eat before and after brushing your teeth. The key to a thorough oral care routine is ensuring not just that you brush twice a day but also brush for at least two minutes. This applies to the use of both a manual and an electric toothbrush. From preschool age onwards, children can use an electric toothbrush. Make sure to get them a model specifically for kids such as Philips’ Sonicare for Kids. We also recommend you brush your teeth together with your child until they can brush properly alone. The short answer is no. As long as you are using the correct technique to brush your teeth, using a toothbrush and water can still be an effective way to remove plaque and protect your teeth. To ensure you are properly brushing your teeth, you should replace your toothbrush or electric toothbrush head every 3-4 months. 1 https://www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/1272/growing-kid-help-your-child-smile-for-life
Once you understand the correct way to brush teeth and make the technique we’ve shared part of your daily routine, it’ll be easy to keep your mouth clean and healthy. Remember that our oral health has a big impact on the overall health of our body. Knowing how to brush your teeth will help you take better care of your teeth, leading to a healthier and more beautiful smile as well as the person to whom it belongs.
Sources:
2 https://www.healthhub.sg/a-z/diseases-and-conditions/482/gum_disease_sdhf
3 https://www.healthxchange.sg/head-neck/oral-health/brushing-teeth-tips-tricks
