You Might Be Brushing Your Teeth Wrong: 9 Tips for Better Dental Hygiene

Brushing your teeth every day isn’t a guarantee of excellent oral health. Even if you do this, you could be leaving gaps if you have a few unhealthy habits. Hence, it’s crucial to understand proper brushing techniques and have all the right tools you need. Below are some tips for better dental hygiene to keep your teeth healthy:

9 Tips For Better Dental Hygiene

Here are nine ways to make sure you’re keeping your oral health in check the right way.

1. Make Sure You’re Brushing Your Teeth Right

When brushing your teeth, start at a 45-degree angle to your gums and perform short back and forth strokes across the sides and tops of your teeth. Hold your toothbrush vertically and brush the backs of the teeth in shorter strokes. Make sure and use small circular motions.

2. Brush Enough

If you want your teeth to stay clean, you need to brush enough. It is recommended that you brush for at least 2 minutes and twice a day.

3. Use the Right Toothbrush

Choose a toothbrush with head and bristles that are small enough to reach into the crevices of the molars where food debris usually hides after you eat. Most adults need a small- or medium-sized toothbrush for this purpose.

4. Floss Well

Flossing must be done properly. Use a piece of floss up to 18 inches in length as this will let you use a fresh area of the floss every few teeth without re-inserting the bacteria you just removed. Remember, the floss must rub against the teeth, and it should wrap around each tooth when you floss.

5. Use a Mouthwash

Mouthwash can go where floss and toothbrushes can’t. Make sure you have a mouthwash all the time as part of your oral care regimen to get a thorough clean.

6. Clean Your Toothbrush

There’s no need to purchase special equipment or covers to clean your toothbrush. Just rinse it after each use and let it air dry. Keep in mind that covering your toothbrushes can breed new bacteria and introduce them into your mouth. So, better to skip the cover.

7. Change Your Toothbrush Regularly

It is recommended that you replace your toothbrush for at least 3-4 months. You shouldn’t use the same toothbrush beyond that. Otherwise, you may not get the most out of it by then.

8. Consider a Tongue Scraper

A lot of toothbrushes today come with a tongue scraper at the back. Since bacteria can remain on the tongue even when you brush your teeth, make it a habit to use the tongue scraper to remove bacteria that have accumulated on your tongue.

9. Skip the Midnight Snack

Midnight snacks can be detrimental to your oral health because most of the time, you will indulge in junk foods that are bad for the teeth. Additionally, you probably won’t be able to brush your teeth afterward because the food consumption will make you feel sleepy.

Achieve Better Oral Health

Achieving excellent oral health isn’t just about brushing your teeth. There are a lot of things that involve this task that will help ensure you get the best oral health you deserve. Use these tips to help you achieve better oral health and make sure you regularly visit your dentist, which is every six months!

Get the best here at Langley Dental Care. We can help you achieve the best oral health with our range of dental services. Set an appointment today!