Brushing your teeth regularly is not enough to keep your teeth and mouth healthy. In addition to diligently brushing your teeth, you also need to apply the right way of brushing your teeth and take extra dental care.
Even though it's been done routinely 2 times a day, brushing your teeth is actually not enough because you can't clean between your teeth and the corners of your mouth properly, especially if you do it in a hurry or in the wrong way. Therefore, you need to know how to brush your teeth properly and correctly.
However, beforehand, also make sure the toothbrush you use has soft bristles with a brush head that fits the size of your mouth. As much as possible, use a toothpaste that contains fluoride to help prevent tooth decay and cavities.
5 Ways to Brush Your Teeth Correctly
In order to avoid various dental and oral health problems, apply the right way of brushing your teeth by doing the following steps:
1. Start with all the molars
Once your toothbrush is moistened and you've applied enough toothpaste, rub the outside of the molars at the gum-tooth junction in a circular motion for about 20 seconds.
After that, brush the molars from top to bottom, starting from the gum line to the tip of the tooth, to remove plaque and food residue on the surface and between the teeth. Do it for 20 seconds.
Perform both movements on all the outside of the molars, both the top and bottom. After that, repeat the same steps on the inside of the molars.
2. Brush the front teeth
After all the molars have been brushed, point the brush toward the outer front teeth. Move the toothbrush in a circular motion and slowly until all surfaces of the front teeth are exposed, so that food debris and adhering plaque can be washed away.
After that, rub the inside in a vertical motion (up and down) or as if you were hoeing, both the top and bottom rows. Repeat this method of brushing your teeth 2-3 times on each side.
3. Brush the chewing surface
The chewing surfaces of the molars are wide and slightly concave, allowing food to stick there. Brush the surface of these teeth in a circular motion so that the remaining food can be lifted up.
4. Brush the tongue area and the inside of the cheeks
After all the teeth are brushed, do not forget to brush the surface of the tongue and the inside of the cheeks with a toothbrush or tongue brush. Food residue and bacteria that cause bad breath may stick to this area, so you need to brush it gently too.
5. Clean between the teeth with dental floss
For maximum dental and oral care, it is recommended that you continue to clean your teeth using dental floss. Dental floss is able to lift food debris that may still be tucked between the teeth that are narrow and cannot be reached by a toothbrush.
Obey the Rules of Brushing Your Teeth
In addition to applying the correct way of brushing your teeth, you also have to know the rules of brushing your teeth. These rules are important to apply so that your dental and oral health is always maintained:
1. Make it a routine
Make brushing your teeth one of the routines that you must do after eating, at least after breakfast and at night before going to bed.
2. Jwish too often
Brushing your teeth 2-3 times a day is the ideal amount. On the other hand, brushing your teeth more than 3 times a day can damage the outer layer of your teeth and injure your gums.
3. Don't rub too hard
In addition to being too often, brushing your teeth too hard is also at risk of causing tooth decay or bleeding gums. For better control of brushing strength, hold the handle of the toothbrush as if you were holding a pencil, not with fists.
4. Don't rush
Brushing your teeth in a hurry can make some parts not brushed cleanly. In fact, the most important key is brushing all surfaces of the teeth. In order to brush your teeth clean, give at least 30 seconds to brush each row of teeth.
5. Change your toothbrush regularly
Even if your toothbrush still looks good, don't forget to replace it every 3-4 months, especially if the bristles have changed shape or look dirty.
As with other body parts, teeth and mouth must also be diligently cleaned thoroughly so that their health is maintained. So, let's apply how to brush your teeth properly and correctly.
In addition, don't forget to do regular dental check-ups to the dentist every 6 months, so that your dental and oral health can continue to be monitored. In this dental examination, the doctor can also perform tartar cleaning and other actions that are deemed necessary if there are problems with your teeth and gums.