If it's been a while since your last dental visit or you're worried about your oral health, book an appointment with your dentist or hygienist today to get your oral health on the right track.
Source: Colgate
Taking care of your smile with the correct oral hygiene at home is important. Paired with regular visits to your dentist and hygienist, you can ensure your teeth and gums stay healthy long term and prevent future issues from occurring.
How long should you brush your teeth?
You should brush your teeth for two minutes, twice daily. You can use a timer to make it easier to track - some electric toothbrushes even have automatic timers to help you know how long to brush for.
Can you over-brush your teeth?
We encourage sticking to the recommended two minutes of brushing. Brushing for longer than two minutes isn't harmful if you're gentle, however, if you use too much pressure you can damage enamel and gum tissue, leading to tooth sensitivity and irritated gums.
What techniques should I be using?
You can prevent and control gum disease by brushing around and under the gumline where bacteria and plaque build-up.
Follow these brushing tips to help ensure you're brushing correctly
- Hold the toothbrush parallel to your teeth
- Tilt the brush to a 45-degree angle
- Angle the brush so the bristles are slightly under the gumline
- With a firm yet gentle pressure, brush back and forth or use a circular motion 15 to 20 times before moving to the next area
- Brush all teeth on the outer surface and then clean the backside of the teeth using the same motions
- Hold the toothbrush in a vertical position behind your front teeth and brush up and down, using the bristles on the toe of the brush
- Brush the chewing surface of the molars and brush your tongue
If you have spaces between your teeth, gum recession, exposed roots, orthodontics or partial dentures you can follow the below tips for brushing:
- Place the bristles on the gumline at a 45-degree angle, pointing toward the tooth's chewing surface or crown
- Gently vibrate the brush for 15 to 20 counts, using short circular strokes or small back and forth motions
- Brush all your teeth in the same pattern, brushing all tooth surfaces and sides
For more advice on brushing techniques, we recommend talking to your dentist or hygienist. At your six-monthly, hygiene appointments, your dental hygienist can let you know if you're not brushing or flossing enough.