Most of us first started brushing our teeth on our own around the age of 5. We’d like to think we all know what we’re doing! However, there’s a good chance that many people haven’t reevaluated their brushing needs and techniques since the day we learned how to brush. 

At different stages of life, our teeth will require different kinds of care. Because brushing your teeth is the most important part of your oral hygiene routine, you must know how to update this routine to accommodate the needs of your teeth.

Brushing Techniques

Below are a few of the basics to help you brush up on your brushing:

• Assess your equipment– The first thing to do is take stock of your oral hygiene tools. Your toothbrush should have soft bristles to avoid doing damage to the gum tissue or the tooth enamel. Your toothbrush should be medium or soft-bristled, no damage is done to your gum tissue. In addition, your toothbrush should be approved by the American Dental Association. This certification means it’s undergone rigorous testing by the ADA to make sure it will effectively clean teeth! Lastly, your toothbrush shouldn’t be older than 3 months; this is when the bristles will fray, and bacteria will build up.
• Brush at least twice a day – The American Dental Association recommends that you brush your teeth at least twice a day; in the morning when you wake up, and in the evening before bed. While it’s not required, it can also be a good idea to brush after eating lunch as well. It’s best to remove food debris and sugar from the teeth as quickly as possible.
• Brush for two minutes at a time – It takes two minutes to thoroughly clean each surface of each tooth. If you’re spending less than two minutes brushing your teeth, they likely aren’t as clean as they should be! Setting a timer on your phone or brushing for the duration of an entire song are just a few ways to make sure you’re brushing for the full two minutes!
• Be gentle – To avoid cause gum recession and doing damage to your gum tissue, be gentle when brushing your teeth. Being too vigorous will wear down your tooth enamel, causing even more problems. Brushing gently will still get your teeth clean without doing damage!

For more tips on caring for your beautiful smile or to make an appointment for your family to visit Severance Dental, please contact our Severance, Colorado dental office today.