Everyone knows how super important it is to have a regular brushing habit. Not only does it stave off bad breath but it also prevents a host of teeth and gum diseases. However, lots of people think that a good oral routine consists of brushing their teeth once in the morning- but that's far from the truth. Brushing teeth in the morning is only the first step - one needs to brush twice each day.
And hold on, we aren’t quite done yet because mouth cleaning doesn't just stop at brushing teeth. A good oral hygiene routine also needs you to preferably rinse with a mouthwash- and you definitely cannot get away without flossing twice a day!
Brushing Teeth Essentials
Whenever in doubt, it’s a good idea to go back to the basics. If you want to cultivate a solid oral care routine that will impress even your dentist, here are some essentials you need in your oral care kit:
Manual or electric toothbrush
Toothpaste (preferably fluoride)
Tongue scraper or cleaner
Dental-recommended mouthwash
Plain, waxed floss strips
It is essential to use advanced dental products to keep your teeth healthy- so you can use Oral-B electric toothbrush or manual toothbrush to effectively clean teeth at home.
Brush your teeth, step by step
So now that you have your essentials in place, here are some awesome tips on how to brush your teeth efficiently -
Place a pea-sized amount of toothpaste on the brush head and wet it.
Start brushing the outer and inner surfaces. Brush at a 45 degree angle against the gum line.
Now hold the brush flat and brush back and forth along the chewing surfaces.
Next step, tilt the brush vertically and gently clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth in up and down motion.
Clean your tongue back to front with the back of the toothbrush or tongue scraper to remove mouth bacteria.
And viola! With the right technique, you can rest assured that your teeth are cleaned properly.
How to brush your teeth with an Electric Toothbrush
For those of you who prefer to use an electric toothbrush, here are some hacks that will help:
Just as you would with a manual brush, simply place some toothpaste on the brush head and hold the brush at a 45-degree angle.
Electric toothbrushes have smaller heads that clean about one tooth at a time. So turn on the electric toothbrush and move it from tooth to tooth.
Gently guide the electric brush along the front, back, and chewing surfaces of each tooth. You don’t have to apply too much pressure- these brushes also come with built-in 2 minute timers to help you keep track of brushing time.
Lastly, softly grace the brush along the tongue to clean it as well- but don’t be too hard and be careful.
How to brush your teeth with braces
If you or your kid has braces, here is what you can do to brush more effectively -
Before brushing, take off the elastics or any removable parts of the braces.
Preferably use a single-tufted toothbrush.
Clean each tooth individually for about 10 seconds.
Hold the brush at a 45 degree angle to clean around the brackets and wires of the braces- clean from top to bottom. If the braces are removable then you can clean them over the sink filled with water. Once clean, you can put it back in the mouth.
How to brush your teeth with spacers
You may not have braces yet but your dentist might be planning to install them. Chances are that you have orthodontic spacers in your teeth and you are wondering how to brush your teeth with these. Here’s what to do:
Brush normally as you would without the spacers, but with an exception. Instead of up-and-down motion, brush your teeth in a back-and-forth movement.
Don’t forget to check after brushing if the spacers are still in place.
How to brush your children’s teeth
Getting kids to brush their teeth is a task in itself. But if you are in charge of their brushing habits, you can still help them learn and improve their brushing technique. Here is how you can brush their teeth:
Brush their teeth for two whole minutes with a soft or medium-bristled toothbrush
Use a pea-amount of fluoride toothpaste
After they brush, make them spit out but don’t rinse with water
Help them brush twice a day, especially before bedtime
It is helpful for them to use a child-sized toothbrush. Oral-B kid’s electric toothbrush is specially designed for children to help them brush their teeth effectively while also being soft on the gums. They come in fun colours to make brushing an interesting experience for kids as well!
How to brush your teeth without toothpaste
Travelling and forgot to pack your toothpaste? Don’t worry- here are a few hacks to help you take care of the teeth even without a toothpaste:
Brush with mouthwash:
Just swirling it in your mouth isn’t enough to remove plaque, so what do you do? Dunk your toothpaste in mouthwash! Yes, seriously. Make sure the bristled are covered with mouthwash and gently remove the plaque.Brush with sea salt:
Mix half teaspoon sea salt in warm water and dip your toothbrush into it- works effectively as sea salt has natural antibacterial properties. But be sure to brush gently so as to not wear off the enamel.Brush with a wet toothbrush:
Something is better than nothing, and that is true in this case. If you cannot find anything else, simply wet the toothbrush and start brushing - it will still be a better alternative to not brushing at all.
Good Oral & Dental Hygiene Tips
In general, you should follow these good oral hygiene tips to make sure your teeth and gums are always healthy:
Brush for two minutes twice daily.
Rinse with a antibacterial mouthwash.
Floss well post brushing, especially before bed.
Chew sugarless gum during the day to promote saliva production and prevent dry mouth.
Visit the dentist at least once every six months.
No matter what the age, you can learn how to brush your teeth more effectively and follow a good oral care routine. As important as it is to visit the dentist regularly, it is also crucial to use advanced dental products such as Oral-B electric toothbrush that make the job far more efficient and improve oral health significantly.
