The Correct Toothbrushing Technique Explained

Toothbrushing is key to maintaining good dental hygiene for both adults and children. It assists in the removal of bacteria and plaque in our mouths, preventing tooth decay and gum disease.

At Canley Heights Dental Care, we recommend that our patients brush their teeth twice daily. And that it’s best to do so first thing in the morning and before bed.

In this article, we explain the correct way to brush your teeth and some other helpful toothbrushing information.

The Correct Toothbrushing Technique

It takes 2 minutes to give your teeth an effective brushing. Unfortunately, most adults brush for less than half this time. To avoid underdoing or overdoing the time you spend brushing your teeth, you can use a stopwatch to help you.

Short, gentle strokes are most effective for removing plaque and bacteria from your teeth and gumline. This also protects your gums and tooth enamel. Brushing your teeth hard does more damage than good.

Pay special attention to where your teeth and gums meet, as well as your back teeth and teeth which have fillings or other restoration.

Here is a good way to split up the 120 seconds of toothbrushing time:

• Outer surfaces (upper and lower)
• Inner surfaces (upper and lower)
• Chewing surfaces (upper and lower)
• Tongue and inside of cheeks

Choosing the Right Toothbrush

Our experienced dentists recommend that you use a soft-bristled toothbrush with a small head.

The soft bristles are gentle on your teeth and gums, and the small head allows you to brush the hard to reach areas in your mouth, like your molars.

Powered toothbrushes are also a great option. They deliver a good clean and some of them even time your toothbrushing for you!

Your toothbrush will likely start to show signs of wear at the 3-month mark, at which stage you should replace it.

At your next appointment, feel free to discuss the best toothbrush options for you with your dentist. They will be happy to point you in the right direction.

The Importance of the Right Toothpaste

The toothpaste you use will impact the effectiveness of your toothbrushing. With so many options lining the shelves, it can be hard to know which one to choose.

It pays to choose a toothpaste that is right for you, as they come designed for many conditions. Some of these conditions are gingivitis, tartar, stained teeth and sensitive teeth.

Our dentists also recommend using a fluoride-based toothpaste. This is to provide you with extra protection against decay.

More Oral Hygiene Techniques in Canley Heights

As you can see, there’s more to toothbrushing than just how you do it. Your technique, choice of toothbrush and toothpaste all contribute to the effectiveness of your dental hygiene routine.

Our friendly dentists and hygienists are more than happy to discuss the correct toothbrushing technique with you during your appointment and give you some personalised recommendations.

To book in at our family dental practice Canley Heights, please get in touch with us.

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Includes dental exam, cleans, fluoride application, X-rays, mouthguards, simple fillings, simple extractions*

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Please call us on (02) 9199 9678 or book your appointment online.

We are located at 1/229 Canley Vale Road in Canley Heights.