Thought you knew everything about brushing your teeth? What if you’ve been missing these vital cues the whole time?

Here are the top tips from our dental hygienist on how to brush your teeth:

How to brush your teeth correctly

There is a correct tooth brushing technique that can very easily be adopted by all of our patients. One key tip to take away is to not brush too hard, as this kind of pressure can irritate gums that may already be sensitive and sore, causing them to bleed. In terms of brushing technique, start with your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gums and use short back and forth strokes to scrub away at the surface of your teeth. After this, rotate your brush round to the backs of your teeth. This is a commonly neglected area where plaque and tartar can sneakily build up.

Key brushing habits

There are three key brushing habits to maintain at home. These are when to brush, how long for, and when to replace your toothbrush. Brushing morning and night is obviously what we all do and that’s definitely the first key rule to toothbrushing. However, we’re willing to bet that nobody spends enough time brushing their teeth in each sitting. It’s recommended that you brush your teeth for at least 2 minutes a day, spending one minute on the bottom row and one minute on the top. An easy way to measure this is to listen to a song while you brush, so after one minute you can switch. Not enough people replace their toothbrush when they really should do. You should only use your toothbrush for 3-4 months before getting a new one, and even sooner if your bristles are beginning to fray and turn outwards.

Flossing and mouthwash

Your dental hygienist wants you to remember to floss and use mouthwash. Flossing is important because it removes plaque and food debris from between the hidden surfaces of your teeth, a place where brushing often can’t penetrate. This helps protect you from gum disease, as these harmful substances aren’t sitting atop your gum line and irritating it. Using an antiseptic mouthwash not only helps fight bacteria levels in your mouth and restore its pH, but it also performs a sort of liquid exfoliation. The swilling and rinsing can help to loosen stubborn food debris, so it provides another level of tooth cleansing and leaves your breath pleasantly minty fresh!

Visit your dental hygienist

Okay, so this isn’t technically at-home care for your dental health, but you should remember to visit your dental hygienist at least twice a year. So, what does a hygienist do to your teeth?

Using professional plaque removal techniques and deep cleaning that can’t be performed at home, hygienists can help remove stains from your teeth while also prolonging the health of your teeth and gums. Dental hygienists are skilled at noticing the warning signs of gum disease and are equipped to help you change your habits and lifestyle to lessen its severity and prevent it from developing.

Book you’re appointment with our dental hygienist in Maidstone today on 01622 730 548 or click here to submit an enquiry. Enjoy happier, healthier teeth and gums.