Brushing your teeth is extremely important to their health and well being. You probably already know this and know that you need to do it regularly. But do you know how to brush your teeth? You might be surprised to find that you are brushing your teeth wrong. Improper teeth brushing can be ineffective or worse yet, it can actually hurt you. Keep reading and see if you are brushing correctly.



The first thing you need to do is select a quality toothbrush of the correct stiffness. Don't cheap out here, buy a good toothbrush with the seal of the American Dental Association on it. You want a brush with rounded bristles and one that is soft. Be careful not to choose one that is too hard as it can actually hurt you. A hard toothbrush over the years can actually cause gums to recede and wear your teeth over time. Also remember to replace your toothbrush at least every three months.

Now that you have a good toothbrush we can begin brushing. Place the toothbrush in your mouth, after applying toothpaste, and gently brush the teeth by making a small circular motion. Brush the top teeth on the up stroke and the bottom teeth on the down stroke. Work from right to left and then move to the back of your teeth. Gently massage your gums with the bristles of the brush being careful not to scrub too hard. After you have hit the front and the back you can then brush the top of the back teeth. Finish up by brushing your tongue which is the biggest bacteria trap in your mouth and you are done.

That just about covers brushing but remember, brushing alone is not enough. Follow that up by flossing your teeth, scraping your tongue if you have a scraper on your toothbrush and by using a good mouthwash. If you have any questions or concerns, contact your family dentist for help.