Learning how to brush your teeth properly is the first step to maintaining
healthy teeth and gums. Plus, it helps minimize the risk of tooth decay and
gum disease, the major causes of tooth loss.
Before You Begin
While there are several methods of brushing teeth with a manual toothbrush,
always ask your dental professional for their recommendation and be sure to
follow their instructions. To start, use fluoride toothpaste with a
soft-bristle toothbrush, and don't forget to replace it every three
months.
Two Minutes, Twice a Day
To brush your teeth correctly, spend at least two minutes using a recommended
technique, which includes 30 seconds brushing each section of your mouth
(upper right, upper left, lower right and lower left), both morning and
night. Since most manual toothbrushes don't have built-in two-minute timers,
you may want to have a clock handy so you can be sure you're brushing long
enough.
Positioning the Toothbrush
How you hold the toothbrush depends on which part of the tooth you're
brushing.
Step 1: Start with outer and inner surfaces, and brush at a
45-degree angle in short, half-tooth-wide strokes against the gum line. Make
sure you reach your back teeth.
Step 2: Move on to chewing surfaces. Hold the brush flat and brush
back and forth along these surfaces.
Step 3: Once you get to the inside surfaces of your front teeth,
tilt the brush vertically and use gentle up-and-down strokes with the tip of
brush.
Step 4: Be sure to brush gently along the gum line.
Step 5: Brush your tongue in a back-to-front sweeping motion to
remove food particles and help remove odor-causing bacteria to freshen your
breath.
Step 6: Try gently brushing the roof of your mouth for an
extra-fresh feeling.
Now that you've learned proper brushing technique, a little discipline in
practicing it every day will help make it feel like second nature. It's one
of the easiest things you can do to maintain the health of your teeth and
gums.
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