This time, we’re looking at brushing techniques in the Lasley Orthodontics blog.
Dr. Andrew Lasley and the friendly team are committed to helping people achieve a beautiful, healthy smile from age seven to adults. If you live in the Renton, West Seattle, or greater Seattle area, choose Lasley Orthodontics for a healthy, beautifully aligned smile.
When it comes to orthodontic care, you can help make your experience better and get results faster. One way to do that is by practicing a daily oral hygiene routine at home. By using the best brushing techniques, you will remove plaque and avoid tooth decay. When wearing braces, this is particularly important since particles of food can get trapped around brackets and wires.
Although most people brush their teeth daily, they may not be practicing the best brushing techniques. Also, they might not be doing it for enough time. So, it’s a good thing to practice whenever you get some downtime.
The Best Brushing Techniques
Brushing your teeth twice daily can really improve your oral health. For example, one survey found that those who brush twice a day are 22% more likely to report good oral health.
On the other hand, you can overdo it. If you brush too hard or use a brush with firm bristles, you can wear down the tooth structure over time. Therefore, it’s best to do it for the right length of time with the right toothbrush.
Brushing for Two Minutes Twice a Day
According to surveys, as many as 30% of Americans may not be brushing for quite enough time. Fortunately, about 69% of people are brushing twice a day as recommended by the American Dental Association (ADA).
To get enough time, the ADA suggests brushing for about two minutes. It’s the right amount of time to brush away plaque and food particles. However, it’s best not to brush for much longer, as it can slowly wear on tooth enamel. That’s why a soft bristle brush is always recommended. Plus, the softer bristles bend to get below the gum line.
Know the Right Brushing Techniques
For the best brushing techniques, a video is helpful so you can see it in action. Below, see a helpful video from the American Dental Association.
To summarize the proper brushing techniques:
- Hold a soft toothbrush at a 45º angle to your gums.
- Use ADA-approved toothpaste containing fluoride.
- Use gentle pressure to brush back and forth in short strokes.
- Hold the brush vertically to brush behind your teeth in short up-and-down strokes.
- After brushing all surfaces, brush your tongue to remove plaque and bacteria.
If you have braces, be sure to brush around the brackets and wires to remove trapped particles.
Change Your Brush Frequently
Although your toothbrush might look perfect to your eye, the bristles will wear down over time. So, it’s best to throw out your old toothbrush after 3 to 4 months. Otherwise, it won’t be as effective at removing plaque.
If you have ab electronic toothbrushes, you may need to change the brush head every 12 weeks or so. Since the bristles rotate and pulse, they can wear down faster.
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Electronic Toothbrushes for Timed Brushing
With electronic toothbrushes, built-in timers help you know you’ve brushed for two minutes. Also, ADA-approved models will apply just the right amount of force, so you can’t overdo it. Furthermore, they can help those with limited manual dexterity since the rotating brush heads do much of the work.
If you prefer a manual toothbrush, it’s easy to set a timer. For kids, this can help make sure they’ve reached the two-minute goal. Then, they can mark off their completed task on a calendar. At the end of the month, parents can offer a small reward to keep it fun.
In addition to brushing twice daily, it’s best to floss once a day. That way, you can remove the plaque trapped between your teeth that brushing misses. For more on flossing and brushing with braces, see our information here. For tips on brushing with Invisalign, see our recent blog.
We hope this information on practicing brushing techniques is helpful. Questions? We’re here for you at 425.496.7030, or send us a message here.
Lasley Orthodontics loves helping people of all ages in the Renton and greater Seattle area achieve their dream smiles. Get started with a free consultation today.
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