Back to basics: brushing your teeth properly

You often learn how to brush as a child and then no one ever teaches you how to do it again. This could lead to problems with your oral health if you persistently miss areas of your mouth.

Signs that you’re not brushing correctly include:

• Bad breath

• Red and sore gums
• Bleeding when you brush
• Tooth decay

Back to basics: how to brush your teeth

First things first, you need to make sure you have the right tools. Choose a soft or medium bristle toothbrush that feels right for your gums. If it is too soft, it won’t be effective for cleaning. But if it is too hard, it could cause more harm than good.

Next, set a timer. You need to brush your teeth for 2 minutes at a time. We recommend setting a time occasionally as this is actually longer than you might think. If you aren’t brushing your teeth for long enough, you might not be enjoying the full benefits.

Don’t brush too hard, as this could be damaging for your enamel. If you use an abrasive toothbrush, this could make it even worse. You should be brushing with enough pressure to clean your teeth, but not so much that it hurts your gums.

After brushing, you should also floss between your teeth once a day. As much as 40% of your tooth surface is actually hidden between teeth, so you could be missing out on cleaning your teeth fully if you regularly forget to floss.

You should also brush your tongue, as this is a popular spot for bacteria to build up. If you forget to brush your tongue, you might find that your breath smells throughout the day.

One of the best ways to improve your brushing routine is to invest in an electric toothbrush. This will make easy work of making sure you brush your teeth for long enough, apply the correct pressure, and make sure you clean all surfaces of your teeth. The only thing it cannot do is floss between your teeth.

How do you know if you are brushing correctly?

Your dentist can use something called disclosing tablets to help you see where plaque remains. These are harmless tablets that turn the plaque left in your mouth a different colour. You can use these after you brush to see areas you might have missed. Over time, this can help you to improve your brushing technique.

If your gums bleed when you brush or floss, this is not a sign that you are brushing too much, but rather it is a sign that you really need to be brushing. Bleeding gums are a sign of inflammation, which could indicate gum disease.

A trip to the dental hygienist will tell you if you have gum disease. It’s also the first step in treating this condition. Your dental hygienist can give you tips and advice on how to brush your teeth and make sure you aren’t missing any spots in your mouth.

If it’s obvious that your brushing technique needs some work, they will be able to talk you through it so that you feel confident caring for your teeth at home. Visiting every 6-12 months will allow your dental hygienist to see improvements in your oral hygiene and offer further advice if your needs change.

What happens if I don’t brush?

Failing to brush your teeth twice a day can have wide-reaching consequences on your oral health and your wider health. First, your breath will smell and this may be obvious to those around you.

You may suffer from gum disease, tooth decay and tooth loss as these conditions progress. This could leave you with gaps in your smile.

You can also suffer from secondary health conditions as a result of poor oral hygiene. For example, did you know it can increase your risk of developing chest infections when you are run down with a cold?

The easiest way to protect your oral health is to visit the dentist regularly and make sure you are brushing your teeth twice a day.