Author Robert Fulghum has sold over 7,000,000 copies of his book All I Really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten. Even still, over 7,000,000 people bought his book. As if they still had something to learn. Maybe you’ve consigned toothbrushing to the same category — you’ve been doing it your whole life and you know all there is to know, just like tying your shoes and washing your hands. Right?
Considering just how many Americans are suffering from gum disease — half of Americans over the age of 30 have periodontitis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — maybe it’s worth spending just a few minutes freshening some of those early lessons. Here, then, is everything you’ve ever wanted to know about how to brush your teeth… and maybe a few things you’ve forgotten.
The basic checklist: How to brush your teeth
- Don’t go back and forth; go up and down or around and around in small circles.
- Start up front and top, then move to the bottom but stay upfront.
- Don’t forget to brush along your gum line — where your gums meet your teeth.
- When brushing your gum line, tilt your toothbrush 45 degrees and sweep away from the gumline.
- You’re not done until you’ve brushed your tongue.
- You’re not done until you’ve brushed the backs of your teeth too.
- Everything you’ve been told is right. You should brush your teeth twice a day, but even if you’re going to do it once, do it right.
- For how long? At least two minutes every time. That’s a lot longer than you think, and the odds are good that you’re not hitting that mark. Don’t believe us? Time yourself just for kicks and see
Equipment matters: What kind of toothbrush to use
To obtain the best results while teeth cleaning in Edina, use a soft-bristled toothbrush. Neither firmer bristles nor harder strokes are better. Firmer and harder runs the risk of wearing away your enamel. Proper technique and softer bristles are the way to go.
- Once you’ve narrowed your brush options down to softer bristles, choose a brush with bristles of different lengths. When you find the perfect brush, buy a few, or make a point of going back for a new one every three months. Change your toothbrush when the seasons change, without fail — and even earlier if you’ve gotten sick. You may think you’ve beat that cold, but those cold germs can stick around on your toothbrush.
Materials matter: What kind of toothpaste to use
These days, there seems to be toothpaste for every need and mood. There are pastes for people with tooth sensitivity, stained teeth, cavities, tartar, stains, and multiple other conditions. There are multiple flavors to choose from. Don’t get bogged down in the details. Keep these three basics in mind and — if you come to regret your choice — choose differently next time. If all this isn’t helpful, when in doubt, ask your dentist in Edina for recommendations.
- Choose a toothpaste with fluoride. That fluoride will help strengthen your enamel and provide some defense against cavities
- Choose a toothpaste with the American Dental Association’s seal of approval
- Avoid toothpaste with the highest Relative Dentin Abrasivity. Those will help remove stains, it’s true, but they’re also the toughest on your enamel and dentin. If you’re worried about stains, your dentist in Edina can offer better solutions.
See? It’s easy. Follow these guidelines, add in some daily flossing, see your dentist a couple of times a year, and you’re well on your way to good oral health. If you have any questions or want to get back to a good healthy position tooth-wise, reach out to a dentist in Edina. They’d be glad to get you pointed in the right direction.