There is nothing like the gift of a smile to make somebody’s day, it is a natural gesture that cuts across cultural boundaries, language and age. Eastwood Dentists make it easier to take good care of your teeth.
For starters, that means brushing optimally, but not too vigorously and making sure you do not give any of your teeth the brush-off. The main areas people miss are the bits in contact with the tongue, behind the lower teeth, and at the far back on the upper jaw. The tongue gets in the way and individuals often try to open our mouth too wide, which causes the cheek muscles to reduce access to the upper area.
Choosing a toothbrush is not complicated, although it can seem that way when you find yourself faced with the daunting array of dental cleaning technologies on display. From flexible necks and zigzag bristles to changeable handles and heads, there is something for everyone. Manufacturers also offer battery operated and electrical models for added convenience.
The good news is that you do not need to splash out a fortune on a state-of-the-art brush. How you use the brush you have chosen is important. Buy according to price, because you will be replacing your brush every two to four months in any case. Choose a smaller rather than a big head, so that it is easy to manoeuvre around your mouth.
An automatic toothbrush can add a note of high-tech convenience to the twice-daily ritual, and may be a good choice if you have limited dexterity or your teeth are especially sensitive.
Either way, you will be best served by medium-to-soft bristles, nylon and round tipped, firm enough to remove plaque effectively, but not so hard that they damage the gums. Bristles with multiple levels will give you an edge over the traditional variety as they make it easier to reach into those hard-to-reach spaces.
The first trick is to get the angle right. If you are brushing your teeth with brisk horizontal motions, as you may have been taught as a child, you are doing it wrong. The preferred method, gentler on your teeth, and more effective at cleaning, is to start with the brush at a 45 degree angle at the gum-line and then to brush in circular motions, or upwards and downwards. A twist of the wrist is all it takes: you do not need to move your whole hand up and down.
Be sure to brush the front, back, and grinding surfaces of your teeth with equal thoroughness, and while you are at it, give your gums and tongue a gentle brush too. It will help get rid of germs and will stimulate the vital flow of blood to your gums. Two minutes at the mirror, twice a day, is all it should take.
No Comments