Proper Teeth Brushing Techniques

Most everyone knows what a toothbrush is, and knows how to brush their teeth. Or do you? Do you know the proper way to brush your teeth? If you say just simply running the brush over your teeth, and then your done, you are actually wrong. Brushing your teeth isn't complicated, but it does take a little skill to do properly. Properly brushed teeth will be healthier, stronger, and will look better.

Lets begin with your toothbrush. Experts recommend that you use a toothbrush that has soft round-ended bristles made out of nylon. This is because these types of toothbrushes will do the least amount of damage to your teethes enamel while removing the plaque and food particles that can cause tooth damage and decay (not to mention bad breath and gum disease). As for toothpaste, try to stay with the larger name brands, and avoid buying your toothpaste from bargain stores. While the toothpaste may be cheaper, the toothpaste you buy from these stores, even if they are name brand, and available at other stores, is usually made overseas, and could contain things such as lead that is bad not only for your teeth, but your overall health as well. You should replace your toothbrush about every 3-4 months. If you brush and floss regularly (yes, you need to floss too!), and still suffer from bad breath, then check with your local Niceville dentist, as other serious medical or dental conditions may exist.

First off, your going to want to put your toothpaste onto your toothbrush. Get your toothbrush wet (If desired. I personally like to use a dry toothbrush at first, then wet it after I go over all my teeth once). Place the toothbrush, bristle side to the outside of your teeth (the visible part), at a 45 degree angle. The bristles should be making contact with both your teeth, and your gums. Your going to want to brush only 2-3 teeth at a time, and use a vibrating back and forth motion. Make sure that your brush maintains contact with the gum line. Use a rolling motion to bring plaque and contaminates away from the gums. To do this, gently take the toothbrush from the gum line, and roll the head toward the chewing part of your tooth. Repeat for the rest of your teeth, top and bottom, all the way around.

Now that the outside of your teeth have been brushed, its time to focus on the inside of your teeth, or the back of your teeth. This is the portion that you can't see. Your going to want to use the same rolling back and forth method you used on the outside (visible) portion of your teeth, making sure to clean the gum line as well. Do this for each side of your mouth, top and bottom.

When your dine brushing each side of your mouth on the inside, its time to brush the backs of your front teeth. This area is a little harder to brush, but isn't impossible. To properly brush the backs of your front teeth, you will need to use the front portion of your toothbrush, and use up and down strokes while the toothbrush is tilted vertically Make sure to get down to the gum line, for complete cleaning.

Now that all the sides of your teeth have been brushed (inside and outside), its time to brush the tops of your teeth. This is the portion that actually does the chewing. To properly brush the tops of your teeth, simply place the toothbrush onto the top of you teeth, and use a forward and back motion to scrub the tops of your teeth.

By this time, your teeth should be brushed, and clean. Now its time to brush your tongue. Believe it or not, but most of a persons bad breath doesn't come from their teeth, but from their tongue. Use a toothbrush that has ridges or a design on the back of the brush to brush your tongue, or invest in a special tongue brush. To properly brush your tongue, stick the toothbrush into your mouth, and drag it across the top of your tongue, from back to front, to remove the bacteria and bad smell.