toothbrushes-225x300Brushing your teeth might seem like an easy task. Yet millions of people throughout Canada actually do it wrong and this leads to an increased risk of cavities and other oral health problems.

Below are a few tips to help you get the most out of your oral care when it comes to your toothbrush.

Find the Right Toothbrush

It all begins with the right toothbrush. Far too many Toronto residents, as well as those around the world, incorrectly assume that the harder the bristles of the brush are, the better it will be for cleaning your teeth.

A soft-bristled toothbrush is the best one to use. Hard bristles can actually wear down the enamel, putting your teeth at an increased risk of cavities and other problems in the future.

Also, focus on smaller heads as this will help you get into those hard to reach areas of your mouth. If you feel that a powered toothbrush is best for you, that’s fine, as long as you spend the proper amount of time working it over all of your teeth.

Tilt the Brush

You want to tilt the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against the gumline in your mouth. Then sweep or roll the brush away from your gums. A lot of people simply move the brush side to side across their teeth and this doesn’t get all of the food particles out from between the teeth, unfortunately.

Use Short Strokes

When you brush the inside, outside, and chewing surface of your teeth, you want to use short strokes. This will help to maximize the coverage over all of your teeth.

Brush Your Tongue

That’s right. You want to be sure to brush your tongue before you floss and rinse with mouthwash. Brushing your tongue is important to help remove bacteria and to help keep your mouth feeling and smelling fresh.

If you want to make sure you’re brushing your teeth properly, visit your dentist as soon as possible. He or she will be able to give you the best advice on how to maintain that great, white smile of yours.