Brushing. It?s often times one of the first things we do after waking up and before going to bed. It?s easy to fall into the habit of mindlessly doing our dental routine, but to make it really count, it?s never a bad time to talk brushing technique.
Here are three easy tips to improve your brushing and get a compliment at your next Krengel Dental visit.
- Pick a good partner in crime:
A good toothbrush can make a great deal of difference when it comes to the quality of your brushing. We recommend finding a toothbrush with soft bristles that will be friendly to your gums. Look for a brush that fits your mouth comfortably and can reach the backs of your teeth. An electric toothbrush is oftentimes a much easier way to get around the gums and clean up any spots on your smile.
- Take a mindful (two) minute(s)
Brushing and not rushing is crucial for the time to count. Brushing two to three times at routine times, such as morning, after work and bedtime, is a good way to keep your efforts consistent. When brushing, it is recommended to take two full minutes to clean the outer, inner and chewing surfaces of your teeth. It?s easy to miss the mark and only spend 30-60 seconds brushing, but that isn?t enough time for the work to pay off. We recommend setting a timer or playing one of your favorite two-minute songs to get into those grooves (tooth pun intended)!
- Make proper motions
Two minutes will go by quickly if your brush strokes are hitting all the right areas. It is recommended that you brush your teeth at a 45-degree angle near the gums and gently make strokes that clean up all three surfaces of your tooth. To do so thoroughly, make sure you take your time and make short, gentle strokes. Moving in the right motions will remove the plaque and build up in a noticeable way.
As the most regular part of our dental routine, improving your brushing technique is an important way to keep your one set of teeth as happy and healthy as possible. Since brushing the right way isn?t always easy, make sure to ask your dentist to brush up your skills at your next dental checkup and show you some tricks. Call us to set up your cleaning appointment today (952-888-1311)!
