You’ve been brushing your teeth your whole life, right? So you’re probably pretty good at it? Well, maybe not. We pick up some bad habits (and ignore good ones) when we’re kids, and brushing your teeth can become so routine that you don’t really think to examine what your’e doing. Well, we’ve got ten tips that you should stick to if you want to make the most of your time in front of the mirror. So take a look and step up your brushing game by doing these!
The good news is that it’s not too late. As long as you’re in the habit of brushing your teeth regularly, then these should be some pretty minor changes that can have a big impact!
Use a toothbrush with soft bristles
They can get into more places, and hard bristles actually can damage gums and even enamel. Soft is better.
Use a fluoride toothpaste
Fluoride makes teeth more resilient against acid attacks, making them stronger and healthier.
Hold the toothbrush at an angle
Holding it flat and moving it back and forth can also damage your gums. An angled approach makes this way less likely.
Work on the outside of your teeth first
You’d rather have the stuff you scrape off find its way to the middle of the mouth than have it hanging out in the edges, so start out and work in.
Focus on a few teeth at a time
Don’t brush them all at once. You’ll miss some, and focusing on a few ensures that you’re precise with your cleaning.
Brush for two minutes
That seems like a long time, but that’s how long you need to incorporate these steps.
You’ll have softer bristles (right?), so it won’t be too painful.
It might not be fun, and you could gag, but brushing your tongue will give you better breath and get rid of a lot of bacteria.
Don’t rinse out immediately after brushing
When we’re done, many of us hurry to get that toothpaste taste out of our mouth.
Go ahead and spit it out, but don’t rinse. That fluoride needs time to work, so let it simmer for a bit!
Brush twice a day
But be careful about brushing much more.
As you may have guessed, being too enthusiastic or vigorous can do more harm than good!