3 Steps To Brushing Your Teeth More Effectively

At the offices of Curtis L. Chan, DDS in Del Mar, one of the most essential things we provide to our patients is reliable information. We answer a wide spectrum of questions on a day-to-day basis. One of the questions that we are asked most frequently is, “Am I brushing my teeth correctly?”

We aren’t with you at home when you are brushing your teeth so we have broken it down into three simple steps for you to follow to get the most out of brushing your teeth:

1 Soft-Bristled Toothbrush

Brushing with a soft-bristled toothbrush will get you the exact same results as brushing with a hard-bristled toothbrush but without causing any abrasive injuries to your gums and gum line. There is no benefit in using a hard- or medium-bristled toothbrushes. To obtain optimal results, thoroughly wet your soft-bristled toothbrush in order to make sure that the bristles are as pliant and as soft as possible before you begin brushing.

2 Minutes Brushing and Flossing

Imagine your mouth as being divided into fourths and spend a minimum of 30 seconds in each of the quarters. Make sure you brush the inside surfaces, the outside surfaces, the chewing surfaces, and softly massage your gums. Make sure that you pay attention to the far sides of your back teeth. These teeth are not visible but are still able to retain food particles and create an environment in which tooth decay is able to thrive. Afterward, take two full minutes to floss before you go to bed in order to remove any scraps of food that your toothbrush was unable to reach and to help remove any build-up. The average adult has roughly 32 teeth and 32 spaces in between which need to be flossed. Two minutes is generally enough time for thorough flossing, but adding one more minute just to be safe is never a bad idea.

3 Times a Day

It should be your goal to brush your teeth after every single meal. This is a challenge for a lot of people who are not home for any of their meals. In order to maintain excellent dental hygiene, brushing your teeth absolutely has to be your number one priority. There are a seemingly infinite number of toothpaste choices and styles of floss on the market today. Unless you are consistent in your brushing and flossing, your teeth will begin to degrade over time. 

Toothpaste plays an essential role in your oral health. It is what collects the remaining food particles, keeps your soft-bristled toothbrush pliable, fluoridates your teeth, freshens your breath, and performs a whole host of other tasks. Gently removing leftover food after every meal is ultimately what inhibits the breakdown of the surface of your teeth. So, even if you are unable to brush with toothpaste after a meal, a quick brush with a bare toothbrush, or even just rinsing with water, will help keep your teeth healthy and free from build-up

At the offices of Curtis L. Chan, DDS in Del Mar, we offer a wide variety of dental services, including preventative care. Please visit our website to see how we can assist you, and schedule your next checkup today!