Frequency of brushing your teeth

Who does not like sparkling and whitening teeth? But we should learn the way of brushing our teeth, plus how how often we should really brush?

At first- We should choose the right toothbrush. Do you have the right toothbrush? Think about the size of your mouth, says Richard H. Price, DMD, consumer advisor for the American Dental Association. "If you are straining to open wide enough to let the brush in, the brush is probably too big," he says. It should feel good in your mouth and hand, so you’ll use it often.

Know your bristles. If they're too stiff, they can hurt your gums. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends a soft brush.

Should you go electric or manual? "It's an individual preference," says Michael Sesemann, DDS, former president of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Price agrees. "It's not the toothbrush, it's the brusher."

Electric toothbrushes can make it easier to do a better job, especially if you have arthritis or other trouble with your hands, arms, or shoulders. “If we see someone having issues with the manual (toothbrush), introducing an electric brush has excellent results,” Sesemann says.

You should give proper time. Are you brushing enough? Twice a day is recommended. ''Three times a day is best," Sesemann says.

You should brush for at least 2 minutes. “Most people fall short of the time period,” he says. He suggests you divide your mouth into four sections and spend 30 seconds on each.

Some electric toothbrushes have built-in timers and can even track your use patterns by syncing to your smartphone.

To make the time go faster, Sesemann says he watches TV while he brushes. If you go too long, though, plaque will build up and boost your chances of sore gums and other problems, he says.

And avoid overdoing it. Brushing more than three times a day might not be ideal, Sesemann says. That's because too much brushing can wear down tooth enamel and damage your gums.

Also, “don’t bear down too hard,” he says. “Use a lighter touch.”

“With electric brushes, you let the bristles do the work and just guide the toothbrush,” Price says.

Be gentle. It doesn’t take a lot of force to remove plaque, he says.  You should perfect your techniques, for example-  Are you brushing correctly? Wide, side-to-side strokes can cause scrapes along your gum line, Sesemann says.  Hold your brush at a 45-degree angle to your gums, and make an up-and-down motion. Use short strokes.

Brush outer and inner tooth surfaces, back molars, and your tongue. “Don’t forget about those hard-to-reach areas,” Sesemann says. If you aren’t thorough, plaque has time to sit in your mouth and cause damage.

Here, I am going to write an answer from a D.M.D , he answered for the same question as my topic refers:

The American Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth at least twice a day.

When you brush your teeth, you help remove food and plaque — a sticky film that forms on your teeth and contains bacteria. After you eat a meal or snack that contains sugar, the bacteria can release acids that attack tooth enamel. Repeated attacks can break down tooth enamel and lead to cavities. Plaque that isn't removed also can harden into tartar, making it harder to keep teeth clean.

In choosing when to brush your teeth, you might also consider your diet. If you've eaten an acidic food or drink, avoid brushing your teeth for at least 30 minutes. These acids weaken tooth enamel, and brushing too soon can remove enamel. If you know you're going to eat or drink something acidic, brush your teeth beforehand.

In addition to brushing your teeth, the American Dental Association recommends that you:

• Floss daily
• Eat a healthy diet and limit between-meal snacks
• Replace your toothbrush every three to four months, or sooner if the bristles are frayed
• Schedule regular dental checkups
• Answer by- Alan Carr, D.M.D.

 

*All the information provided in this article related to dental health is taken from various resources through Internet. For better results, you should consult your dentist. I am not giving any medical advices at any term.