Remember Me
forgot your password?

The Right Way to Brush your Teeth

In 1498, Genoese sailor Christopher Columbus began his third voyage that would make him the first Renaissance European to set foot in the American mainland. That same year, another discovery would be made that would revolutionize oral health – the toothbrush.

Since it first appeared in China, the toothbrush has slowly invaded our homes to become an important dental accessory now used by millions of people worldwide. Today, toothbrushes come in a wide variety of odd shapes and sizes. Various manufacturers say their brand is better than the others.

However, dentists say you don’t need those expensive designer toothbrushes. What matters is the way you brush your teeth. While electric toothbrushes do an excellent job of cleaning teeth, a plain old manual toothbrush will likewise suffice.

For best results, use a soft nylon toothbrush with end-rounded polished bristles. Get a brush that’s small enough to reach all of your teeth, especially those in the back and replace it every three months or sooner if the bristles become frayed, splayed or worn.

Strange as it sounds, many still don’t know how to use a toothbrush. While dentists recommend brushing three times a day, preferably after meals, for at least three minutes each time, they lament the fact that the average time spent brushing is only 46 seconds. This is not enough for good oral health.

To ensure you do it right, here is short refresher course on tooth brushing:

1) Hold the brush at a 45-degree angle against the gum line. Point the brush upward, or toward your nose, when you’re cleaning the upper teeth; downward or toward your chin, when you’re doing the lower teeth.

2) Use a short (about the width of half a tooth), gentle back-and-forth motion to clean the outer surfaces of your teeth. Focus on just one or two teeth at a time.

3) Use this same stroke on the inside surfaces of all the teeth, except the front ones.

4) Scrub the chewing surfaces of your back teeth with the brush held flat in the same back-and-forth motion.

5) Tilt the brush vertically, and use the front part of the brush in short up-and-down strokes to clean the inside surfaces of front teeth.

6) Don’t forget to brush your tongue and the roof of your mouth.

Of course, brushing alone won’t protect you from tooth decay and gum disease since a toothbrush may not reach important areas where food residues collect and are likely to cause problems later. Regular flossing and rinsing with an effective antimicrobial mouthwash are also important. These simple measures can prevent tooth decay and gum problems that could make you look old and ugly.

To enhance your healthy smile, use Dermaxin, a popular skin cream that contains special ingredients to reduce fine lines and wrinkles by as much as 45 percent. Dermaxin repairs and rejuvenates the skin so you'll look young, fresh, and wrinkle-free! It's your best defense against the signs of aging. For details, visit http://www.dermaxin.com.

Janet Martin

Janet Martin is an avid health and fitness enthusiast and published author. Many of her insightful articles can be found at the premiere online news magazine http://www.thearticleinsiders.com.

Rate this Article: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s)
Print Email Re-Publish

Add new Comment



Captcha

  • Latest Dental Care Articles
  • More from Janet Martin

How to Choose a Toothpaste

By: Erich Shrefler | 07/12/2009
With no small amount of toothpaste on the market, it can be difficult to find one that does what it promises while also providing optimum health benefits. Many toothpastes claim to whiten teeth, protect you from tartar, or strengthen weak teeth, but how can you tell if the toothpaste you’re choosing is as good as the box claims?

Effectively Treat Infected Gums For A Healthier You

By: Rai Shimizu | 07/12/2009
The teeth could last a lifetime, even more. Yet, although most of people take effective care of their oral health, about seventy percent of adults still suffer from some form of gum disease. It's always crucial to continue an effective day to day dental routine, however it's also crucial to treat infected gums and additional dental problems when they begin. Gum diseases, like gingivitis and periodontitis, are some of the unrelenting mouth infections. Dismissing their treatment may m...

What Happens When I Lose A Tooth?

By: Dr Steven Little | 07/12/2009
The loss of a tooth, for whatever reason, can have a significant effect on your self-esteem, confidence and facial appearance not to mention the rest of your mouth.

Am I A Candidate for a Smile Makeover?

By: Dr Steven Little | 07/12/2009
Did you know smiling and laughing are actually healthy for you? It’s true! As well as being attractive; smiling and laughing are beneficial to your entire well-being!

Ensure Healthy Smiles And Treat Infected Gums Effectively

By: Zero Gilbert | 07/12/2009
The teeth can last a lifetime, even more. However, even though a lot of people take necessary care for their oral health, about seventy percent of adults still acquire some form of gum disease. It is always necessary to have an effective daily dental routine, yet it is also vital to treat infected gums and additional dental problems if they begin. Gum diseases, such as gingivitis and periodontitis, are some of the unrelenting mouth infections. Rejecting its treatment may make you ba...

The Cure For Bad Breath - Disover How You Can Naturally Stop Bad Breath

By: Hunter Elliott | 07/12/2009
Bad breath is a problem that affects many people from all over the world. But what most people do not realize is that there are many things you can do which will help you naturally get rid of it.

How to Get Rid of Bad Breath For Good - Prevent Bad Breath Fast

By: Hunter Elliott | 07/12/2009
Are you suffering from bad breath? Is it affecting your life?

Bad Breath - Learn How You Can Naturally Stop It

By: Hunter Elliott | 07/12/2009
Bad breath is something that causes a lot of problems for many people. But there are things you can do which will help.

Outdated Beauty Rules You Need to Ditch

By: Janet Martin | 22/10/2008 | Skin Care
When it comes to beauty and fashion, there are really no hard and fast rules. What may be beautiful during the time of your mom may no longer be beautiful or fashionable at present.

Top 3 Reasons Why Detoxification is Just What You Need

By: Janet Martin | 22/10/2008 | Wellness
In order to help your large intestine become more efficient in what it does, you might need to cleanse your colon. Below are top three reasons why you need to undergo colon cleansing:

Wondering Why Sleep Deprivation is Bad for You? Read This!

By: Janet Martin | 22/10/2008 | Sleep
Sleep is as important as food and shelter. Here are some of the consequences of lack of sleep to watch out for:

6 Exciting and Proven Ways to Look, Feel Younger

By: Janet Martin | 22/10/2008 | Skin Care
Even if you are already nearing your retirement age, you do not have to feel old and grumpy. You can still live a happy and active retirement by starting to change your perspective and putting emphasis on your health and beauty.

4 Tips on Choosing the Right Supplement for You

By: Janet Martin | 22/10/2008 | Nutrition
There are so many herbal supplements that are flooding the market. However, with so many supplements available, it may be hard for people like us to determine what to buy.

Various Anti Cellulite Treatment Methods to Help You

By: Janet Martin | 22/10/2008 | Women's Health
If there is one thing that can ruin your perfect bikini body, it is cellulite on your thighs or buttocks. The problem is, no matter how much you diet and exercise, these fatty lumps are hard to eliminate.

Top Four Reasons Why Men Stray in Relationships

By: Janet Martin | 22/10/2008 | Marriage
Many relationship experts claim that men innately want to please their wives or the women in their lives. However, due to various reasons, including instinctive behavior, men seem to be more likely to cheat than women.

3 Telltale Symptoms of Perimenopause

By: Janet Martin | 22/10/2008 | Women's Health
Perimenopause is a stage in a woman's life that may last for about 4 to 10 years. This phase actually prepares you for a lot of changes in your body that you will have to face during menopause and post-menopause.

Submit Your Articles Free: Signup
Article Categories




Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the Terms Of Use and Privacy Policy | User published content is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
Copyright © 2005-2008 Free Articles by ArticlesBase.com, All rights reserved. (0.83, 1, w1)