How To Brush Your Teeth Like A Dentist

By Casey Haslem Last updated Sep 16, 2014 13

To maintain your oral hygiene and brush your teeth like a dentist, there are a few steps to take to maintain clean teeth. Although most people brush their teeth with a few quick swipes of their toothbrush each day, there is much more involved to prevent cavities and care for your gums. To brush like a dental professional and have a brighter smile, there are essential tips to follow several times a day.

Divide Your Teeth into Four Sections

To cover every area of your mouth and each individual tooth, it’s important to divide your teeth into four sections to focus on one area at a time. This will make it easier to spend at least 30 seconds brushing each section. According to Dr Bryan Murray, one of the many Brooks dentists, it’s also important to brush from the back to the front and clean the outer and inner surface before focusing on the bottom of the teeth. You should also brush the roof of your mouth to remove bacteria and germs that have built up.

Floss

Brushing and flossing go hand in hand, making it important to floss before you pick up the toothbrush. Gently work the floss up in between the gum line and tooth while removing food from the string. Flossing twice a day will prevent tooth decay and reduce the amount of bacteria that enters the bloodstream through the gums. It can also prevent gum disease from developing by removing food that is lodged.

Brush the Gums

When brushing the teeth, many people forget to cover the gums with their toothbrush during their routine. This works to stimulate blood flow and prevent gingivitis. The tongue should also be brushed to remove germs and bacteria that have accumulated.

Brush for Two Minutes

Experts recommend brushing for two minutes to ensure that each area of your mouth is properly cleaned. You can use a timer to track the length of your brushing and opt for brushing each quadrant for 30 seconds at a time.

When brushing your teeth, there is much more involved than simply brushing in a fast motion while distracted by other activities. Opt for focusing on both the front and back teeth, while also massaging the gums with the brush. By brushing two to three times a day, the mouth will be cleansed of bacteria while the teeth will be better preserved from cavities that can develop.