Most patients know that they should be brushing their teeth at least twice a day. Our Westfield general dentists have been finding that for many patients brushing is so routine that patients are not paying very close attention to how they’re cleaning their teeth. Consequently, many people aren’t getting as much as they could out of their daily oral hygiene routine. Today I’m going to review some useful tips that will help you brush more effectively.

Choose the Correct Toothbrush

The first step to maintaining a sparkling smile is to gather the right materials. Take some time when choosing your toothbrush to make sure it fits your needs. The head of the toothbrush should be small enough to fit into the back corners of your mouth so you can clean your back molars. Look for a brush with softer bristles. Stiff bristles are not necessary for most patients, and they can actually damage your gums and wear down dental enamel.

Brush Efficiently

Your goal when brushing is to thoroughly remove plaque and debris, so you want to make sure that you cover all of your dental surface area. Begin brushing by angling your toothbrush at 45° at your gumline. Then proceed to clean your teeth using small circular motions. When cleaning the tops of your teeth use a back and forth motion to get in the dental enamel’s pitted grooves.

Pay Attention to More Than Just Your Teeth

Every time you brush remember to clean your tongue and surrounding oral tissues. Clean your tongue by moving your brush back and forth across the top and sides of the tongue.

Keep these simple tips in mind the next time you brush. Many people find that over the years they stopped brushing correctly or started using the wrong toothbrush. By making these few simple adjustments you can keep a whiter smile between dental check ups. Give our Westfield dentists a call at (908) 543-3215 if you have any questions, as always we’re here to help!