Blog Post

Do You Really Brush Your Teeth Properly?

Ever since you were a small child you will have been told you need to brush your teeth. It’s the first lesson you will have had in dental hygiene, but were you told how to brush your teeth correctly? From our dental clinics in Christchurch we have compiled a list of the 3 top brushing mistakes that people (of all ages) make when they brush their teeth.

You use the wrong toothbrush

Picking the best toothbrush to use is not made easy. There are so many different ones to choose from it can feel overwhelming. You need your brush to be able to get to the places it needs to, so choose one that has the right sized head for your mouth. What suits your mouth may not be suitable for your partner’s; choose for the user rather than because there is a buy-one-get-one-free deal in the supermarket!

Whether you choose a powered toothbrush or stick to a traditional manual brush, an angled or a straight one, it is the bristles that you need to pay most attention to. People make the mistake of thinking that harder toothbrushes are better at cleaning their teeth, but these bristles can damage the tooth’s structure. The bristles need to able to bend and be flexible enough to get under the gum – soft bristles are more effective at cleaning teeth.

You brush too hard

Yes, you need to brush your teeth, but by brushing too hard you risk causing your gums to recede and wear the enamel. You do not want to increase sensitivity by exposing root surfaces. Remember, plaque is soft can easily be removed. Make an appointment with a dental hygienist

to remove the harder tartar.

Clean your teeth as if they were diamonds – rather more of a rub than a scrub. Gently start from the gum and go up and down the tooth in a circular motion.

You forget the gums

You brush your teeth to freshen up and remove any debris and plaque that has built up over the course of the day, but this means that people tend to focus on the chewing surfaces and don’t pay enough attention to their gums. This can cause a multitude of health problems.

To effectively brush your teeth, it’s important that you brush as much of the tooth that is accessible, and this entails gum work. Your gum line is where bacteria are most prevalent. By using a soft bristled toothbrush, you can really give it a good clean – the bristles are able to gently bend to reach where the tooth comes out of the gum without causing damage.

So, how can you brush your teeth properly?

1. Use a soft bristled toothbrush

2. Angle the brush at 45 degrees so that you have full access to the gum line

3. Starting from the gum, use a circular motion to rub the tooth

4. Brush the tongue-side of the teeth too

5. Brush your teeth at least twice a day, but wait a good 20 minutes after you have eaten

Brushing your teeth effectively is one way to reduce the need for dental treatment. It’s far better to take preventative action than have to seek remedies down the line. Duxton Dental are your local Christchurch dentists, we work with you to ensure that your oral health reaches its full potential. If you have any queries about how you can improve your home dental care, please do get in touch.

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