While the core focus at EZ Smile is teeth straightening, we are of the belief that in order to have a great smile, you need to take care of all aspects of your oral health. This includes learning and understanding how to brush your teeth properly.
Dental professionals will be the first to know that many of their clients don’t know the proper way to clean teeth, which can lead to a plethora of dental issues. If you’ve been wondering how to brush your teeth properly but have been too embarrassed to ask, then this article is for you.
Australia’s first comprehensive Oral Health Tracker in March 2020 found that only half of all Australians brush their teeth twice a day, and 90% of adults have some form of tooth decay.
So, if you’re not 100% certain on the proper way to clean teeth, then you’re not alone! Over 90% of adults have some form of tooth decay; where one of the contributing factors could be related to not utilising a proper tooth brushing technique.
So, how are you supposed to brush your teeth effectively? EZ Smile are Australia’s leaders in clear aligners and have extensive knowledge into the basics of healthy, clean and straight teeth. EZ Smile are here to guide you on how to brush your teeth properly, to maintain your perfect smile.
Proper Tooth Brushing Technique
Before we get started on the common mistakes people make when brushing their teeth, let’s first run through how to brush your teeth properly. The proper way to clean teeth is to use circular motions when brushing and short, gentle strokes along the gumline. Angle the toothbrush at 45 degrees and pay particular attention to those spots in-between each tooth where the tooth meets the gum.
Keeping the gentle circular motions in mind, we’ve broken down how to brush your teeth properly in 4 simple steps:
Step 1: Brush the Outer Surface of the Teeth
Start by brushing the outside of your upper teeth, then the outside surfaces of your lower teeth.
Step 2: Brush the Inner Surface of the Teeth
Next, brush the inner surfaces of top teeth, followed by the inner surfaces of your bottom teeth. Make sure you get right to the back teeth!
Step 3: Brush the Flat Surfaces of The Teeth
Once the outer and inner surfaces of the teeth have been brushed, use the circular motion and sort, gentle strokes to clean the flat surfaces of your teeth, or in other words, the part that chews the food.
If we’re going to get technical, the proper way to clean teeth is to follow steps 1 to 3 for 40 seconds each, which will make up the recommended two minutes of brushing time.
Step 4: Brush the Tongue.
Ok, this part isn’t essential for dental health, but it holds a lot of benefits for overall oral hygiene. It will also freshen your breath and maintain that freshness throughout the day. And that’s always a bonus, right?
How to Brush Your Teeth Properly with Electric Toothbrush
Electric toothbrushes are a great alternative to standard, manual toothbrushes. Lots of people prefer electric toothbrushes in comparison to regular brushes because it does make it easier to remove the plaque build-up that can otherwise gather between your teeth.
Electric toothbrushes are beneficial for people with limited mobility in the hands, and electric toothbrushes are highly recommended for those who may otherwise experience difficulty brushing.
Our guide on how to brush your teeth properly with an electric toothbrush would be the same as the steps mentioned above. However, the bonus of having an electric toothbrush is that you don’t have to be concerned with the angle at which you brush your teeth, the motion you’re making with the toothbrush, or the brush strokes. Good electric toothbrushes will moderate that for you.
11 Expert Tips for A Better Brush
Now that we’ve got the necessary information on how to brush your teeth properly clarified, you might be wondering, how are you supposed to brush your teeth for better results? Here are our 11 top tips for how to brush your teeth properly:
1. Don’t Miss the Back Teeth
We’ve all been guilty of not thinking about the back teeth when brushing. The back teeth can be hard to reach, and because they’re not at the forefront of the mouth, they can be easy to forget. When using a proper tooth brushing technique, all teeth should be included to prevent tooth decay in missed teeth.
A great way to remember about your back teeth is to incorporate an extra step to the necessary steps outlined when we broke down how to brush your teeth properly in 4 simple steps. Adding that extra step will ensure you never miss your back teeth again.
2. Focus on the Gumline
When we brush our teeth, we should do precisely that – brush the teeth. However, it’s important to remember to focus on where the gum meets the teeth, as well as the teeth themselves. Missing the gumline can cause periodontal disease, which is more commonly known as gum disease.
3. Tilt the Brush To 45 Degree Angle
One of the essential things that people don’t realise about the proper tooth brushing technique is that it is recommended that you brush your teeth on a 45-degree angle. Brushing the teeth on an angle enables the best method of cleaning between the sulcus, which is the area between the teeth and gums where plaque and bacteria often get trapped.
4. Focus on Areas Around Existing Restoration
Some people might think they should avoid areas that have pre-existing restoration such as fillings and crowns when brushing their teeth so as not to aggravate the area. However, the best way to keep previously restored teeth from further damage is to pay particular attention to them, to ensure that plaque and other bacteria don’t build up around them and cause further damage to already fragile teeth.
5. Choose A Toothbrush with Soft Bristles
A common misconception is the more rigid the bristles, the more effectively they will clean the teeth. However, expert dentists across Australia always recommend selecting a toothbrush that has soft bristles.
The reason we recommend a toothbrush with soft bristles is because they tend to be more flexible than stiff bristles, and you need to get in-between the teeth and around the gumline to properly clean your teeth. Soft toothbrushes are better at removing plaque and debris from your teeth.
6. Use A Toothbrush with A Small Head
Toothbrushes that are designed with a smaller head are preferred. Similar to the soft bristles point, a smaller head can better navigate the oral cavities and small cavities between your teeth and gums where bacteria can become trapped.
7. Replace Your Toothbrush Frequently
Toothbrushes need replacing as soon as they show signs of wear, or at least every three months (whichever comes sooner). New toothbrushes are more effective at removing plaque than old toothbrushes. As bristles become older and spend more time in your mouth and the hot & humid environment of your bathroom, they can be prone to bacterial and fungal growth.
8. Use Toothpaste That Suits Your Needs
Our expert team recommend choosing a paste that is suited to your particular needs. For example, if you have issues with sensitive teeth, then a sensitive toothpaste will be the best option for you. If you have staining on your teeth; opt for a whitening toothpaste.
We’re lucky to now be spoiled for choice, with several quality brands being available in commercial supermarkets. If in doubt, choose a well-known brand that provides quality paste that has fluoride included in it. Fluoride is an agent that fortifies teeth again tooth decay and makes them stronger.
9. Apply Gentle Brushstrokes
Some people might believe that brushing your teeth hard is the most proper way to clean teeth. However, strenuous brushing can erode tooth enamel. You can get the same results applying gently brushstrokes and using circular motions when the brushing with short strokes along the gumline.
10. Brush Your Teeth for Two Minutes
Experts recommend brushing your teeth for at least two minutes to clean all areas effectively. If you think you might brush your teeth for 2 minutes but you’re not sure, we recommend using a timer next time you start brushing. It’s a lot longer than you’d expect!
11. Floss, Floss, Floss!
Ok, we know how common it is for your dentist to sound like a broken record, but it’s so important to floss your teeth! Flossing cleans between the teeth and accesses small cavities where plaque and bacteria can build up that toothbrushes just can’t reach, no matter how good you are at brushing your teeth!
So, there you have it – Our top tips on how to brush your teeth properly for better tooth health. While our primary specialty is straightening teeth, we understand the importance of a healthy smile, too. EZ SMILE is a 100% Australian owned teeth-straightening company that can help you to achieve the smile of your dreams. We offer a free 30-second assessment so you can work out if clear aligners are right for you. If you’re looking to straighten your teeth, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our friendly team on 1300 936 400 today.
