One of the foundational tasks of good dental care is brushing your teeth. Children learn from a young age at home and through school that brushing is important. Brushing your teeth is an essential daily task that you should continue throughout your life. You likely understand the importance of brushing your teeth but do you know the best practices for this process? It is easy to go through the motions with everyday tasks and forget that the way you do things can make a big difference. Brushing the correct number of times, using the right tools, and employing the appropriate method all make a difference in the effectiveness of toothbrushing. Following a few general toothbrushing tips can help you ensure that your dental health remains on track.

Frequency

Brush your teeth at least twice per day – once in the morning and once at night – is the general frequency recommendation. Brushing at night removes food particles and bacteria that have built up throughout the day. Skipping out on brushing at night will allow harmful substances to remain on your teeth and near your gums. If you do not brush before bed on a consistent basis it will leave you vulnerable to decay and gum disease. Brushing in the morning is also important because it freshens your breath and can remove food particles from breakfast. Brushing twice per day is the minimum recommendation. You can add in a third brushing after your midday meal if you want to make sure that no food particles from eating have a chance to remain on your teeth.

Tools

The right toothbrushing tools can make a difference in the quality of your dental care. The first tool to consider is the toothbrush. You can find a variety of toothbrush options. The bristles of toothbrushes come in different strengths. Soft bristle toothbrushes are recommended because anything stiffer can be harmful to the enamel on your teeth as well as your gums. You can also choose between a manual toothbrush or an electric toothbrush. Both options can work but an electric toothbrush may be able to provide superior cleaning. If you are considering an electric toothbrush, ask your dentist for brand and style recommendations.

Method

The method you use to brush your teeth can impact the effectiveness of the process and your overall oral health. Here are the basics of the brushing process:

• Brush at a 45-degree angle to the gums, gently using a small, circular motion, ensuring that you always feel the bristles on the gums.
• Brush the outer, inner, and biting surfaces of each tooth.
• Use the tip of the brush head to clean the inside front teeth.
• Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen your breath.

Carefully applying this method will help you get the most benefit from the task of brushing your teeth. Over time, you will become accustomed to the way it feels to properly brush.

How often you brush your teeth, the tools you use, and the method you employ can all impact the effectiveness of the toothbrushing process. Following the general toothbrushing tips outlined above will help you properly care for your teeth on a daily basis.