Brushing your
teeth is not just for a whiter smile and fresher breath, it's important for
your overall health. When you brush, you remove plaque—a thin film of bacteria
that sticks to your teeth and will cause cavities, gum disease, and if you
ignore it long enough, will cause your teeth to fall out! You know why to
brush, but if you would like to learn how to brush your teeth effectively, this
article is for you. Read on!
Part
1 of 3: Using the Right Tools
1
Use a good
toothbrush. Choose a toothbrush with soft nylon bristles. This will effectively
remove plaque and debris from your teeth, without irritating the gums or
eroding tooth enamel like hard bristled brushes can do. The toothbrush should
also fit comfortably in your hand, and have a head small enough to easily reach
all of your teeth, especially the ones at the back. If you have difficulty
fitting the toothbrush into your mouth, it is probably too big.
Electric
toothbrushes are a great choice if you are a lazy brusher and think that the
electric toothbrush might encourage you to spend more time on your teeth.
However, you can do just as good of a job with a manual toothbrush -- it's all
in the technique.
You should definitely avoid
toothbrushes with "natural" bristles made from animal hair as these
can harbor bacteria.
2
Replace your
toothbrush regularly. The bristles will wear out over time, losing their flexibility
and effectiveness. You should get a new one every 3 to 4 months, or as soon as
the bristles start to splay out and lose their shape. Visual inspection of the
toothbrush is more important than the actual timeline. You can also buy
toothbrushes nowadays whose handles will change color when its time to get a
new one.
Research has found that thousands
of microbes call toothbrush bristles and handles "home," and can
cause infections.
Always rinse your brush after
using it, and store it upright and uncovered so that it can dry before your
next use. Otherwise bacteria will grow.
3
Use a fluoride toothpaste. It not
only helps remove plaque, it also helps strengthen tooth enamel.However, it's
important to note that fluoride toothpaste is not to be swallowed, as ingesting
too much can have serious health consequences.
4
Use dental
floss. Flossing your teeth is just as important as brushing, as it removes
built up plaque, bacteria and food particles that get trapped between the teeth
and which toothbrush bristles can't reach. You should always floss before
brushing your teeth so that any food or bacteria that comes loose during
flossing doesn't remain in your mouth.
Remember to floss gently. Don't
"snap" the floss between the teeth as this can irritate sensitive
gums. Ease it down gently, following the curve of each tooth.
If you find
dental floss awkward to use or you have braces, look for dental picks instead.
These are small wooden or plastic sticks which you can insert between teeth,
achieving the same results as flossing.
You can get
toothpastes to target a wide variety of dental and gum problems, including
cavities, tartar, sensitive teeth and gums, gingivitis and stained teeth. Opt
for the one that suits your best or ask your dentist or hygienist for advice.
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