Brushing your teeth is likely something you do every day without a second thought, like taking a shower or putting on clean clothes. But do you know why it’s such an important part of your daily routine? And are you sure that you’re brushing your teeth properly? You probably learned how to brush your teeth as a child, but there may be some important steps you’re missing. Read on for a step-by-step guide on how to brush your teeth properly. We’ll also give you some important tips on maintaining good oral hygiene at home.
Why You Need to Brush Your Teeth Every Day
The American Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes in order to get the best results. Parents should help small children brush their teeth as soon as their baby teeth start to come in, but you can clean your baby’s mouth with a soft rag even before their teeth begin to emerge.
Brushing removes debris and food particles that build up between the teeth and gums as you eat and drink. If these food particles aren’t removed with daily brushing, bacteria will build up and turn into plaque, which produces acids that can harm your teeth. If these problems persist over time, they can lead to oral health issues like gum disease, periodontal disease, or tooth loss.
Step-By-Step Instructions For How to Brush Your Teeth
It’s probably been decades since you learned how to brush your teeth, so here’s a little refresher on the proper way to get the job done.
Follow this step-by-step guide to keep your teeth clean:
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a pea sized amount of a non-toxic, non-fluoride toothpaste to clean the outer surfaces of your teeth and remove food debris. Move your brush in a circular motion across your upper and lower teeth, applying gentle pressure and brushing every tooth individually.
- Position your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to brush along the upper and lower gum line. Move your toothbrush in a circular motion to remove any bacteria from the gumline.
- Next, brush the chewing surfaces of your teeth. Be sure to brush along the gumline on the inner side of your teeth, too.
- Finally, be sure to brush your tongue or use a tongue scraper to remove bacteria and prevent bad breath.
- Spit out any excess toothpaste and rinse your mouth with water. To get the most benefit of the properties of the toothpaste you’re using, not rinsing after spitting out the excess is preferred.
When should you brush your teeth?
The best time to brush your teeth is after meals in order to remove the film of bacteria that builds up throughout the day to prevent acids from forming. A good rule of thumb is to brush your teeth at least once in the morning and once before going to bed.
Can you brush your teeth too much?
Yes, you CAN brush your teeth too much, which can damage the tooth enamel and cause sensitive teeth. There’s no harm in brushing your teeth up to three times a day or brushing extra after eating or drinking something sweet or sugary. But if you brush your teeth too often or if you brush too hard or too long, it will eventually begin to wear away at the tooth enamel and cause gum recession, making you more susceptible to cavities.
Additionally, using hard-bristled brushes or abrasive toothpaste can damage your tooth enamel. Stick to a soft-bristled toothbrush.
Don’t Forget to Floss!
Flossing your teeth should be part of your daily brushing routine! Flossing is important because your toothbrush can’t reach the tiny crevices between your teeth where bacteria can build up. Over time, this bacteria and plaque will irritate your gums, causing sensitivity, swelling, or even bleeding. If you aren’t used to flossing regularly, you may notice some bleeding the first few times you floss. This is likely because your gums are sensitive and inflamed, but as you remove the plaque, your gums will begin to heal and flossing will be no problem at all!
Use Non-Toxic, Biocompatible Products
Did you know that many commercial toothpastes contain harmful ingredients that can cause a number of health problems? One of the biggest culprits is a popular ingredient that many dentists use today: fluoride. Despite the fact that it’s a common ingredient in many commercial toothpastes, fluoride exposure has been linked to a number of health problems, including thyroid problems, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and more. At Holistic Dental Center, we believe in using safe, effective, biocompatible products to ensure your overall health.
Here are some of our favorite biocompatible brands to use in your daily oral healthcare routine.
Toothpaste
- Risewell
- Dental Herb Company
- Periopaste Toothpaste for Gum Disease
- Theives Young Living
Mouthwash
Dental Floss
- Risewell
- Dr. Tungs
- Or, try an Oral/water irrigator
We’re dedicated to helping you create a healthy dental routine, and we’re always happy to answer questions or provide recommendations for sale alternatives to your current products. When you come in for your next appointment, ask us about product alternatives!
At-Home Oral Healthcare Tips
Here are some additional tips for practicing good oral health habits at home. Follow these tips to prevent tooth decay and ensure that you have healthy teeth!
- Brush your teeth immediately after eating sugary foods.
- Replace your manual toothbrush every two to three months or replace the brush head on your electric toothbrush every two or three months. Also, replace your toothbrush or brush head immediately if you have been sick.
- Make sure your toothbrush has soft bristles. Hard bristles can damage your tooth enamel and cause gum recession.
- Avoid fluoride toothpaste. Instead, replace your toothpaste with a hydroxyapatite toothpaste, such as the ones we recommend above.
- Avoid toothpaste and mouthwash that contain artificial colors, flavors, and sweeteners and alchol.
- Use an alcohol-free mouthwash to prevent irritating the soft tissues in your mouth and disrupting the oral microbiome.
- If you choose to whiten your teeth, avoid products with carbamide peroxide. Instead, use natural alternatives like coconut oil or activated charcoal.
Holistic Family Dental Care is Committed to Your Overall Health!
At the Holistic Dental Center of New Jersey, we know how important your oral health is to your overall health and well-being. We believe in educating our patients on the safest materials to use when brushing your teeth. If you’re concerned about the potentially harmful aspects of traditional, mainstream dental care, call the Holistic Dental Center of New Jersey at (973) 718-5104 to schedule your dental checkup. Regular dental checkups will keep your mouth healthy and significantly decrease your risk of tooth decay.
If it’s time for your checkup, schedule your appointment with the Holistic Dental Center of New Jersey today by calling (973) 718-5104.
