Sounds like a ‘no brainer’ but you’d be surprised how often people get this one wrong. Did you know that it takes two to three minutes to properly brush your teeth but most people only spend 30 seconds or less.
So why is it so important? Germs. Millions of them live on our teeth, tongue and gums and feed on the food that’s left behind after we’ve eaten. A by-product of these bacteria is acid, which is what attacks and destroys our tooth enamel leading to a filling.
How to Brush
- Start with a pea-sized blob of toothpaste (you don’t need much) on a soft toothbrush
- Gently brush the inner surface of your teeth back and forth using short circular motions. Then move to the outer surface and then the chewing surface on top. Pay particular attention to where the tooth meets the gum as this is where plaque builds up.
- Use the tip of your brush to clean behind the front teeth – both top and bottom.
- Remember don’t be too rough. It takes very little pressure to remove bacteria and food and too much pressure can harm the gums.
- Replace your toothbrush every 2-3 months. If you leave it too long, the brush will not clean your teeth properly.