Brush Gently
This may seem incorrect because you would think that brushing your teeth harder is the better way to get rid of plaque. However, scrubbing your teeth too hard can actually increase the chance of gingival recession and even result in tooth enamel loss. There are a couple of ways to help you brush more gently.
- Pencil Hold: Holding your toothbrush with a full grip makes it more likely you will brush too hard. Try to hold the toothbrush like a pencil instead.
- Soft Bristles: In addition to brushing gently, it is recommended by the ADA that you use a toothbrush with soft bristles.
Tooth Brushing Technique
How you brush your teeth can help improve how clean they get. Here are the steps to take.
- Hold your toothbrush at a 45 degree angle to your gums.
- Brush with short, back and forth motions.
- Start cleaning the outer surface of your teeth, then the inner, the chewing surface, and your tongue
Time Length
Chances are you already brush twice a day, but are you brushing for long enough? You need to brush for two minutes, twice a day. This will ensure that your gentle brushing is effective and reaches all parts of your teeth.
Or Use An Electric Toothbrush
Electric toothbrushes have been found to remove more plaque than manual ones, especially if they have a rotating oscillation head. An electric toothbrush easily gives you the short, back and forth motions necessary for cleaning. The dentists at Family Smile Center recommend using Sonicare electric toothbrushes.