How to properly brush & clean your teeth in 2023

To properly brush and clean your teeth is a basic skill on paper, yet it is one of the most effective ways to keep your teeth healthy and maintain your overall dental hygiene. While it seems obvious, the chances are that you do not know how to properly brush your teeth. It involves more than just a few seconds of moving your brush back and forth in your mouth and spitting out the toothpaste. It has to be a deliberate and careful effort to ensure you brush and clean your mouth thoroughly, covering enough (and key) areas and for a sufficient time. 

Failing to brush your teeth properly will lead to plaque building up in the teeth, gums, and tongue leading to teeth decay and cavities – and even affecting your body’s immune system. Here is a guide on how to brush your teeth properly.

1.   Start by lubricating your mouth with some water. Proceed to place a pea-sized amount of toothpaste on your toothbrush’s head.
2.   Get the toothbrush into your mouth, holding it at a 45-degrees angle to your gums. Use gentle and short strokes to brush the front teeth.
3.   Move to the outer surfaces of your teeth – making sure to reach the molars at the back. Brush the upper sections of the chewing surfaces. 
4.   Turn the toothbrush upside down to access the surface of your top teeth and then flip it again to reach the bottom of the front teeth.
5.   Move to your tongue and brush it back and forth in sweeping motions to remove any stuck debris and plaque and any odor-causing bacteria.
6.   Spit out the mix’s remnants in a clean sink and finish the whole process by rinsing your teeth with clean water.

Do’s and Don’ts of brushing your teeth.

1.   Pick the right brush with soft bristles that will bend to reach your gums and not wear out your teeth. You should also consider the size of the toothbrush’s head in relation to your mouth.
2.   Do not rush brushing your teeth. You need to do it at least twice a day, each time lasting at least two minutes, not any less.
3.   Keep changing your toothbrush every 3-4 months to keep them clean, fresh, and effective.
4.   Do not brush back and forth; instead, start from the gum and brush in little circular motions up and down.
5.   Do not forget brushing the gum-line where your teeth meets the gum. Plaque and bacteria often hide there.
6.   Take about 15 to 20 minutes before brushing your teeth after a meal. Doing this allows the saliva to remove the acid in the mouth. Thus, when you brush with fluoride, it does not leave your teeth exposed and vulnerable to the acid’s damage.

Brushing your teeth is not just a random daily habit but a critical part that protects your health and keeps your breath fresh. Learn and practice doing it properly to reap the maximum benefits of the habit.