Brushing For Results

Are you still getting cavities? Are you brushing, flossing, rinsing, and going to the dentist but only to find you need some work? You could need some help with some of the finer points of brushing. Your dentist can certainly help you but if it’s a while before your next visit we have some ideas that might make the next visit shorter, cheaper, and less painful.

What does your brushing technique look like? So many of us go back and forth laterally and broadly. This doesn’t get in there to get all of the particles and bacteria out. First, start holding the brush at a 45-degree angle to your gumline. Next, shorten your brushing strokes, use more of an up-and-down motion, and maybe try to make the motion more circular. Just by shortening the stroke of your brushing you’ll be able to reach some of the spots you might be neglecting.

If you’re having trouble reaching spots on your molars, in the back of your mouth, that might be an issue with the size of the head of your toothbrush. Are you continually bumping against your jaw and gums? Maybe try a smaller toothbrush. Don’t forget to make it a soft one. Something to consider if you’re getting lazy about your molars: problems back there can be painful and if you need to have a cap or a crown they become painful and expensive. The last thing we want to hear about is an extraction; so take care back there.

There’s a simple pro-tip floating around out there that we really like. You’ve probably heard the professionals recommend that you divide your teeth into quadrants and focus on each quadrant until it’s done. They’re also now saying that you should mix up the order of quadrants as well. What happens, and this can happen to all of us, is that you might get bored brushing your teeth. Maybe you’ll rush the last part. If you’re changing the order of your brushing day-to-day then you will be less likely to neglect a section repeatedly.

As we’ve said before if you’re choosing to brush close to meals, maybe think about doing so before the meal. If you brush right after eating something acidic or sugary you may be causing damage to your teeth by brushing them when they’re vulnerable. Need to ask a dentist a question about your teeth? Look here: https://www.dentaloptimizer.com/ask-a-dentist/