3 Ways to Brush Your Teeth Better

Brushing your teeth is an important step towards maintaining a healthy and bright smile! At Dentistry of Arizona in Surprise, we focus on educating our patients on how they can best prevent oral disease. Dr. Ewell and our hygienist, Janel, can help make sure that you brush with the right tools and technique. Let’s talk about 3 ways to brush your teeth better.

1. Brush Regularly

One of the simplest ways to brush your teeth better is to make sure that you brush your teeth regularly. We recommend brushing your teeth at least twice a day - morning and night! If you are able to brush after lunch, that's even better! What's most important is not snacking on food after you've brushed your teeth and then going to bed - that will result in cavities. Sticky, sugary, or acidic foods or drinks can leave behind residue and food particles that can be problematic for your dental health if they are allowed to linger. Brushing your teeth works to wash your teeth clean, which can help to prevent discoloration, cavities, and gum disease from developing.

2. Brush with Good Technique

Brushing your teeth with proper technique is important because incorrect technique could result in areas of your teeth being missed or inadequately cleaned. Cavities often occur in difficult-to-reach areas, so it’s imperative that you clean all surfaces of your teeth thoroughly! When you brush your teeth, it can help to begin by setting a timer for 2 minutes. This is to make sure that you don’t rush through it, even if you’re in a hurry to get somewhere! Next, make sure that you brush each section of your mouth: top right, top left, bottom right, bottom left. Use soft circular motions as you brush. Be sure to brush the fronts, tops, and insides of the tooth. All surfaces are important and need to be cleaned! It can also be helpful to ask Dr. Ewell or Janel to demonstrate proper brushing technique at your next dental appointment so that you can ask any questions you might have.

3. Brush with the Best Tools

Dr. Ewell recommends replacing your toothbrush every 3 months (or sooner if your toothbrush shows signs of wear and tear). If you’re looking for ways to brush your teeth better, the next time you replace your toothbrush might be a great opportunity to upgrade your toothbrush. Many electric toothbrushes now have standard features like built-in timers and the ability to sync with smartphone apps to provide real-time feedback on your brushing technique and habits, so you can get top-of-the-line dental care features without breaking the bank. Dr. Ewell and Janel are fans of both Sonicare and Oral-B electric toothbrushes. If you prefer manual toothbrushes, we strongly recommend choosing a soft bristle brush. The soft bristles are gentle on the gums and teeth and won't inadvertently cause any harm that we so often see with medium or firm brushes. Call us at Dentistry of Arizona to make an appointment with Dr. Ewell who may be able to help you find out more about this topic, and improve your oral health.