Brushing

While any brushing is better than none, there is a proper technique that will help you effectively clean your teeth and gums.

To get your teeth and gums immaculately clean, start with a soft nylon toothbrush that won’t harm your tooth enamel or irritate your gums. Whatever toothpaste you choose, make sure it contains fluoride to protect against tooth decay. Once your brush is loaded, do the following:

1. Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle; make sure your brush makes contact with both the tooth surface and the gum-line.
2. Start with the outer surface of 2 – 3 teeth and gently brush with a back and forth rolling motion. Move to the next 2 – 3 teeth and repeat until you’ve brushed an entire outer arch.
3. Repeat the same procedure on the opposite outer arch and both inner arches.
4. Move on to the eating surface of your back teeth; remember that food particles and bacteria love to hang out in the grooves of your molars, so be sure to spend time on them.
5. Finally, brush your entire tongue. Focus on the back of your tongue, as well, as it harbors more germs and bacteria than the front.

Remember to change your toothbrush every 3 months or when the bristles appear to be frayed. Not only will the ensure that your brush will work as intended, it will also prevent the back and forth transfer of cold, flu, and other germs.