How to Brush Your Teeth: Your Path to a Healthy Smile

Introduction

Smiles play an important role in our social and emotional wellbeing. They are usually one of the first things that people notice about us. A beautiful smile can build confidence, increase morale, and boost our mood. Therefore, it is important to practice good oral hygiene in order to maintain the health of our teeth and our general wellbeing. The right brushing method and toothbrush hygiene are two essential components of dental care. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the value of maintaining a clean toothbrush and how to brush your teeth to help achieve a vibrant, healthy smile.

Toothbrush Hygiene

Storage

Keep your toothbrush away from the toilet. Also, remember to close the toilet lid when flushing to prevent aerosolized matter from landing on your toothbrush and contaminating it with bacteria and other fecal byproducts.

Rinse Your Toothbrush

Rinse your toothbrush before and after every use. Rinsing it before brushing can remove accumulated dust or innate airborne particulates. Additionally, thoroughly rinsing your toothbrush with tap water after brushing can remove any food remnants or residual toothpaste. This maintenance protocol could ensure that the bristles will remain clean and free of debris.

Allow It to Dry

Store your toothbrush in an upright position and allow it to air dry. Refrain from storing it in a closed container. If you must use a toothbrush cover (e.g., a manual toothbrush cover or an electric toothbrush cover), choose ones with cutouts or drain holes that allow air to circulate and prevent water from accumulating at the base. Allowing the toothbrush to dry quickly and properly reduces moisture, which can encourage bacterial growth.

Replace Regularly

At maximum, your toothbrush should be replaced every three to four months. You should replace it sooner if the bristles become frayed or damaged. Also, replace your toothbrush once you have recovered from a respiratory illness (e.g., COVID, cold, or flu). Sometimes, you may even consider replacing your toothbrush during the course of your illness.

Avoid Sharing and Keep It Separate

Never share your toothbrush with others. Doing so can transfer bacteria and germs from one person to another. Additionally, if possible, you should store your toothbrush away from other toothbrushes to prevent cross-contamination.

Proper Brushing Technique (How to Brush Your Teeth)

Choose the Right Manual Toothbrush

When choosing a toothbrush, NEVER, I repeat, never use a medium or firm bristle toothbrush, as these can be abrasive and can cause irreversible damage to the teeth and gums. Instead, select a soft-bristle toothbrush with a moderately-sized head. Furthermore, a recent study¹ showed that “toothbrushes with either multi-level bristles or angled bristles perform better than the conventional flat-trimmed bristles in removing plaque.”

Consider an Electric Toothbrush

Electric toothbrushes are wonderful alternatives to manual toothbrushes. Typically, these devices have rotating-oscillating or sonic technologies that facilitate proper brushing technique. Moreover, most modern models have accompanying apps that provide guidance with both the equipment and the method. Furthermore, because of their ease of use, electric toothbrushes are particularly great for individuals with dexterity problems.

Use an ADA-Approved Toothpaste

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends brushing teeth twice daily with a fluoride-containing toothpaste. Using a fluoridated toothpaste can also help prevent tooth decay.

Brush Twice a Day

At least twice a day—morning and bedtime—brush your teeth for two minutes. Furthermore, according to the ADA, it is recommended to wait 30–60 minutes to brush after eating, especially acidic food. Brushing immediately after eating can damage the enamel, the outer layer of the tooth. The reason is that, after eating, the acids from your food temporarily weaken the enamel. Waiting 30–60 minutes gives the enamel time to remineralize. In the meantime, you can drink and rinse with water to facilitate the remineralization process.

Brushing Technique

Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gumline and use gentle, circular motions or short brush strokes in a direction away from the gumline.  Divide the mouth into quadrants: upper left, upper right, lower left, and lower right. Spend 30 seconds per quadrant and brush for a total of two minutes to ensure a thorough clean. Advance the toothbrush tooth by tooth to clean the outer, inner, and chewing surfaces. To clean the inside surfaces of the top and bottom front teeth, tilt the brush vertically and gently sweep the brush away from the gums. While brushing, make sure to avoid being aggressive, as this can harm your enamel and gums. Once finished, spit out the excess toothpaste and do not rinse, drink or eat for the next 30 minutes.  New research² suggests that rinsing after brushing could potentially minimize the fluoride benefits.

Don’t Forget Your Tongue

Gently brushing your tongue will remove bacteria and freshen your breath. If you don’t want to use your toothbrush to brush your tongue, you can purchase a tongue scraper to remove the plaque.

Floss Daily

In addition to brushing, you must floss daily. Flossing is the best way to remove food particles and plaque between the teeth. If you have wide gaps between your teeth, consider using Super Floss or an interproximal brush in those areas. For individuals who have braces or bridges, floss threaders are a must.

When discussing the topic of flossing, one thing to keep in mind is that if you have been flossing after brushing, you might want to switch up your routine. Considering that flossing loosens the particles between your teeth, you must rinse your mouth after flossing to wash away the debris. Therefore, flossing after brushing will cause you to rinse and, consequently wash away the toothpaste. In order to maximize the toothpaste’s efficacy, you must floss before brushing.

Schedule Regular Dental Check-ups

Believe it or not, excellent at-home oral care by itself is not sufficient to maintain healthy teeth. In order to preserve the health of your mouth, it is important for you to visit your dentist for regular check-ups and cleanings. Keep in mind that once food debris hardens on your teeth, you cannot remove it yourself. You will need a professional evaluation and treatment. Also note, that during your dental examination, your dentist not only checks for cavities and gum disease; he or she also screens for oral cancer.

Be Gentle

When it comes to proper brushing technique, harder is not better. Unfortunately, some people make the mistake of thinking that if they brush harder, they will get better results. This couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, brushing hard can irreversibly damage your gums and teeth. So, with that being said, take your time and give your mouth a little TLC.

Conclusion of How to Brush Your Teeth

Maintaining proper toothbrush hygiene and brushing technique can produce a healthy, beautiful smile. By using a clean toothbrush, following the right brushing methods, and establishing routine dental treatment at your local dentist, you can significantly reduce the risk of dental issues and enjoy a confident smile. So, invest in you. Take care of your oral health, and let your smile shine bright like the star that you are!

References:

1. Slot DE, Wiggelinkhuizen L, Rosema NA, Van der Weijden GA. The efficacy of manual toothbrushes following a brushing exercise: a systematic review. Int J Dent Hyg 2012;10(3):187-97.
2. “Spit don’t rinse” for better oral health. Oral Health Foundation. https://www.dentalhealth.org/News/spit-dont-rinse-for-better-oral-health Accessed 11/2/2023.