After a long day at the office, there’s nothing more relaxing than coming home, putting on a pair of comfortable pajamas, washing your face and brushing your teeth, and getting in bed to watch the latest show on Netflix. But you may find it hard to relax and get some shut-eye if, even after you brushed your teeth, they still feel dirty! If you notice that your teeth still have that “fuzzy” feeling after brushing them, you don’t want to ignore it.
Having a buildup of bacteria and plaque can lead to oral health issues like gum disease, gum recession, and tooth loss — which is why it’s important to get to the bottom of the issue and get your teeth cleaned properly!
To ensure you’re thoroughly cleaning your teeth and removing plaque every time you brush, Radiance Family & Cosmetic Dentistry has put together a few helpful teeth brushing tips for both adults and children.
Brush for Two Minutes
You may be surprised to find that you aren’t brushing your teeth for long enough. One of the most common reasons why teeth don’t feel clean after being brushed is because the process was rushed.
You should be brushing your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes every time. We recommend breaking your mouth up into four quadrants (top-right, top-left, bottom-right, bottom-left) and spending at least 30 seconds in each of these sections. Not only does this help to make the two minutes go by faster, but it ensures that you’re spending equal time in all areas of your mouth.
Keep in mind that it’s easy to underestimate how long two minutes is, which is why there are a few ways you can guarantee you’re brushing long enough every time. Try using your phone timer, purchasing a toothbrush with a built-in timer, or playing music and brushing for the duration of an entire song. Brushing for at least two minutes will help make sure you remove all the leftover food particles from your teeth.
Throw Out the Old Toothbrush
Do you only change your toothbrush when you get a replacement from your dentist during your bi-annual preventative care visit? If so, you may not be changing your toothbrush as frequently as you should. It’s recommended that you swap to a new toothbrush every three months or when your current toothbrush begins showing signs of wear and tear.
Take a look at the bristles on your toothbrush. Are they bent or showing signs of damage? Or worse, are the bristles beginning to fall out? If the bristles aren’t in their normal upright position, they aren’t able to reach between your teeth with enough force to adequately clean your teeth. You may not even be removing any of the food particles or plaque buildup from your teeth at all — defeating the purpose of brushing your teeth. Proactively change to a new toothbrush every three months to ensure your toothbrush can effectively clean your teeth and gum line.
Change Your Brushing Technique
Next time you brush your teeth, take note of how you do it. Are you brushing in a side-to-side or an up-and-down motion? It’s a common misconception that you should be brushing side-to-side — which could be leaving you with teeth that don’t feel clean since your brushing may not be cleaning the gum line properly.
Side-to-side brushing can also remove the enamel from your teeth! Instead, you should brush from your gum line, moving in a circular, up-and-down motion to give your smile the deep clean it deserves.
Call Radiance Family & Cosmetic Dentistry for Preventative Dental Care
If you’re still not satisfied with how your teeth feel after brushing them, Dr. Rath and her highly trained staff can help you determine the steps to take to improve your oral hygiene. Contact Radiance Family & Cosmetic Dentistry in Billings, MT, to schedule an appointment for preventative care. We look forward to helping you improve your oral health!
