Do you know how to properly brush your teeth? Brushing your teeth the right way is important for having a clean and healthy smile. If you’re not brushing your teeth correctly, you could be doing more harm than good. In this blog post, we will discuss the proper brushing technique so that you can keep your teeth clean and healthy!

The Importance of Brushing Your Teeth

Brushing your teeth is important for many reasons. First and foremost, it helps to remove plaque and bacteria from your teeth and gums. Plaque is a sticky film of food and saliva that can build up on your teeth and cause tooth decay. Bacteria in plaque can also lead to gum disease. Brushing your teeth regularly will help to remove plaque and bacteria, and prevent these problems from occurring.

Other Benefits

In addition to removing plaque and bacteria, brushing your teeth also helps to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Brushing removes any food or drink that may have been caught between your teeth. It also helps to massage your gums, which can promote blood flow and help to keep them healthy.

Finally, brushing your teeth is important for maintaining a bright, white smile. Plaque and bacteria can cause your teeth to become stained over time. Brushing regularly will help to remove any stains that have already formed, and prevent new ones from forming.

Common Dental Health Problems

There are a few common dental health problems that we can prevent easily with proper brushing technique.  Here are a few of the most common problems:

• Tooth Decay: Tooth decay is due to plaque buildup on your teeth. If plaque is not removed, it can lead to tooth decay.
• Gum Disease: Gum disease is caused by bacteria in plaque. If plaque is not removed, it can lead to gum disease.
• Bad Breath: Bad breath is caused by plaque and bacteria in your mouth. If plaque and bacteria are not removed, they can cause bad breath.
• Stained Teeth: Stained teeth are caused by plaque and bacteria in your mouth. If plaque and bacteria are not removed, they can cause your teeth to become stained.

Preventing Dental Health Problems

The best way to prevent dental health problems is to brush your teeth correctly. There are a few things you should keep in mind when brushing your teeth:

1. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush.

A hard-bristled brush can damage your gums and teeth. Instead, opt for a  soft-bristled brush that will be gentle on your gums.

2. Use toothpaste with fluoride.

Fluoride is a mineral that helps to prevent tooth decay. Be sure to use a toothpaste that contains fluoride in order to protect your teeth from cavities. If you’re not sure what toothpaste is right for you, talk with your dentist.

3. Brush gently.

Brushing too hard can damage your gums. Instead, use gentle strokes and be sure to brush all surfaces of your teeth.

How to Brush Your Teeth the Right Way

Now that we’ve discussed some things to keep in mind while brushing your teeth, let’s talk about the proper technique. The American Dental Association (ADA) explains that the proper brushing technique is to:

• Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums. 
• Gently move the brush back and forth in short (tooth-wide) strokes. 
• Brush the outer surfaces, the inner surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.
• To clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, tilt the brush vertically and make several up-and-down strokes.

Other Oral Health Care Tips

In addition to correctly brushing your teeth, the ADA also recommends:

• Clean between teeth daily once a day. Tooth decay-causing bacteria still linger between teeth where toothbrush bristles can’t reach. This helps remove plaque and food particles from between the teeth and under the gum line.
• Eat a balanced diet that limits sugary beverages and snacks.
• See your dentist regularly for prevention and treatment of oral disease.

Risks of Not Brushing Your Teeth Correctly

If you do not brush your teeth correctly, you may be at risk for a number of oral health problems. These include tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath. Tooth decay is caused by plaque that builds up on your teeth and erodes the enamel. Gum disease is an infection of the gums that can cause them to pull away from the teeth. Bad breath is caused by the bacteria in plaque and can be a sign of gum disease.

Brushing your teeth correctly is important for maintaining good oral health. Be sure to brush twice a day, use toothpaste with fluoride, and brush gently. In addition, flossing daily and seeing your dentist regularly will help to keep your mouth healthy.

Make an Appointment with Mountain Aire Dentistry

If you have any questions about brushing your teeth correctly, or if you would like to schedule an appointment, please contact Mountain Aire Dentistry today. Our team of experienced dental professionals is here to help you achieve and maintain good oral health. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Bockrath today by calling us at (303) 731-7755.