Brushing your teeth is something we all do every single day, and improving your technique can preserve the health and youthfulness of your teeth and gums.
With either a manual or an electric, start by placing a pea-sized amount of paste on the brush. Angle the bristles 45 degrees to the gumline. If you angle the brush directly onto the teeth, you’ll still remove some of the plaque, but not as effectively, and you won’t stimulate the gums.
If you have a Sonicare or an electric brush, gently and lightly pull the brush forward along each tooth. The electric brush does the “brushing” for you, so you don’t need to be moving the brush as you would with a manual. Keep a light grip on your brush, you shouldn’t have sweaty palms when you finish. A light hold on your brush maintains light pressure on the teeth and gums, avoiding future enamel wear and gum recession.
If you’re using a manual toothbrush, you’ll still position the bristles at a 45 degree angle, but you have to do the brushing motion instead of the brush. The proper way to use a manual is to make light circles along the gumline.
Remember to always use light pressure - brushing too hard will do more harm than good to the teeth and gums. If you find yourself “scrubbing” your teeth rather than brushing lightly, the Sonicare Flexcare is a great option because it vibrates when too much pressure is applied. If your bristles look frayed after a few months, that’s a less-than-subtle hint that you fall into this category!
Happy, healthy brushing!