How to Use an Electric Toothbrush Properly?
Practicing good oral hygiene is important to maintaining a healthy mouth and strong teeth. Brushing your teeth effectively for a full 2 minutes twice a day is a critical part of oral hygiene routine, which helps prevent gum diseases, tooth decay and bad breath. Electric toothbrushes do a better overall job of cleaning teeth than manual ones. Electric toothbrushes make gentle rapid automatic bristles motions, more effective in removing plaque and gingivitis. They have timers to ensure you brush your teeth thoroughly for at least 2 minutes. Proper brushing your teeth with an electric toothbrush can help you maintain a healthy mouth. Here is how to properly use an electric toothbrush.
Floss before brushing your teeth
Flossing can help remove plaque and food particles between your teeth and make it easier to brush them away. Even if you brush your teeth thoroughly, dentists recommend flossing as an essential part of oral hygiene. It is best to floss your teeth before brushing for the most thorough cleaning.
Prepare your electric toothbrush
Make sure your electric toothbrush is charged which helps you use it most effectively.
Ensure the bristles aren’t worn out. The ADA recommends that you replace brush heads every three months, or more often if the bristles become frayed or matted.
Apply a pea-sized dab of toothpaste. Consider using a fluoride toothpaste, which can help strengthen your teeth, prevent cavities and minimize sensitivity.
Divide your mouth into four sections
Divide your mouth into four sections – top left, top right, bottom left and bottom right to ensure that you thoroughly brush each quadrant of your teeth for 30 seconds.
Place bristles at a 45-degree angle toward the gum line.
Place toothbrush bristles along the gum line at a 45-degree angle contacting both the tooth surface and the gum line.
Brush the outside surfaces, the inside surfaces, and chewing surfaces of your teeth.
Keeping the toothbrush head at the 45-degree angle, apply light pressure, and move the brush head gently across the teeth in small back and forth motions. Start with the outside surfaces of your teeth, then the inside surfaces, and finally the chewing surfaces. Spend 30 seconds on each quadrant of your month and brush every surface of all your teeth, which should take about 2 minutes.
Clean your tongue and the roof of your mouth
Use a gentle back and forth scrubbing motion to clean your tongue and the roof of your mouth. This helps remove debris and freshen your breath.
Rinse brush head and store your electric toothbrush
Rinse the brush head with water to remove residual toothpaste and debris. Store your electric toothbrush upright and let it air dry.
