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Regular brushing is essential for maintaining good oral health, but did you know many people brush too hard or too often? Check out our best brushing tips for maximum effectiveness in this article.
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Brushing can help remove superficial discoloration from your teeth, but it's important to be aware that the color of your teeth is also influenced by factors such as genetics, age, and diet. It’s also essential to know that no matter how well you brush, we recommend regular check-ups with thorough teeth cleaning. During these visits, we use tools to remove tartar and discoloration that you cannot eliminate through brushing alone. Brushing and professional dental cleanings will provide a brighter and fresher result, but they cannot remove stains that have penetrated deeper into the teeth. If you want an even whiter result, teeth whitening may be an option. Read more about teeth whitening here.
Discoloration of teeth is one of the most common concerns our patients raise. During an examination with us, we can provide you with personalized guidance and information on how to best take care of your dental health at home.
The correct brushing technique is essential for ensuring optimal oral hygiene and avoiding "brushing damage." Over-brushing by using too much force or brushing too often can wear down parts of the tooth and the gums over time, potentially leading to sensitivity or sensitive tooth necks. Use a soft manual toothbrush or an electric toothbrush to prevent damage to the gums and tooth enamel. When using a manual toothbrush, hold the brush at a slight angle against the gums and use gentle back-and-forth motions. It’s important not to brush directly on the gums, but rather just up to them. With an electric toothbrush, simply hold the brush at an angle and gently move it along the teeth. Brush for 2 minutes. Allow the toothpaste to remain on the teeth so that the fluoride can penetrate the enamel. Avoid rinsing with water after brushing; instead, finish with a fluoride rinse.
We recommend brushing your teeth for 2 minutes. This should correspond to brushing for 30 seconds on the front/back and top/bottom.
In addition to brushing, it’s also important to clean between your teeth—areas the toothbrush can't reach. It doesn't matter whether you do this before or after brushing; the key is to make sure it's done. Dental floss removes plaque and food particles between the teeth, disrupting bacterial growth. It also helps prevent inflammation and bleeding of the gums, and can contribute to avoiding bad breath.
Yes, it’s important to brush your tongue as part of your daily oral care. The tongue collects bacteria, which can lead to bad breath. You can use your toothbrush, but we also recommend a tongue scraper for gentle cleaning. During a check-up with us, we can provide guidance on using a tongue scraper effectively.
The plaque that naturally forms throughout the day is soft, and this formation should be disrupted often enough so that bacteria don’t have the time to grow and cause damage, like cavities. We recommend brushing your teeth twice a day—once in the morning and once before bedtime. Saliva production is lower while we sleep, creating ideal conditions for bacteria to thrive if not brushed away. The saliva produced at night is stickier and forms a biofilm on the teeth where bacteria can adhere. By brushing your teeth in the morning, you remove this biofilm and prevent bacteria from staying on your teeth throughout the day.
There isn’t a clear answer as to whether you should brush your teeth before or after breakfast. It depends somewhat on what you eat for breakfast. If you drink juice, a smoothie, or eat acidic fruit, it's wise to brush your teeth beforehand or wait at least 30 minutes after eating before brushing. Alternatively, you can brush your teeth before breakfast and use dental floss or a toothpick afterward to remove most breakfast remnants without wearing too much on the enamel. People of different ages and with varying circumstances need to find the best personalized routine for themselves—we are happy to help with this! The most important thing is to ensure cleanliness—often enough.
If you still have questions about how to best care for your teeth at home, please contact us or schedule a check-up, and we can answer any inquiries you may have.