Most people think that if they brush their teeth twice each day, they will have healthy teeth. While brushing twice a day is essential, you might be making some common mistakes when brushing. If you want to keep your teeth healthier and cavity-free, you might want to incorporate the following top-notch habits when you brush your teeth each day.

Use a Brush With Soft Bristles

Many people believe that they need a toothbrush with medium or hard bristles to properly clean their teeth, but this is not the case. Medium- and hard-bristled brushes can do more harm than good. When the bristles are too hard, they can damage your teeth and gums. They can even rub the enamel off. A soft-bristled brush provides plenty of cleaning power for your teeth without the risk of damaging them. You should replace your toothbrush every three to four months, too. A worn-out brush cannot clean your teeth effectively.

Pick the Right Toothpaste

You must also use the right toothpaste when brushing each day. You can pick a type that provides the cleaning power your teeth need, but you should always choose one that contains fluoride.

Set a Timer

The next tip to follow is to set a timer when brushing. While you do not actually need to time how long you brush, you might benefit by timing yourself for a while. If you brush your teeth for less than two minutes at a time, you might not be cleaning them thoroughly enough. Therefore, setting a timer can help you learn how long to brush your teeth. Brushing for two consecutive minutes is what dentists recommend for deep cleaning.

Use a Variety of Brushing Strokes

When you brush, you should aim to use a variety of strokes. For example, you can run back and forth on your teeth. After that, you can switch to up-and-down strokes. You might also want to hold your brush at a 45-degree angle to reach areas that you cannot reach with the other strokes.

End With Scraping or Brushing Your Tongue

Finally, it is essential to brush or scrape your tongue each time you brush your teeth. Scraping your tongue helps eliminate more plaque from your mouth, leaving it cleaner and fresher.

If you are already using these skills and habits, you might have nothing to change. If you are not following these tips, you might want to start. Using these tips might help you have a healthier mouth, and your dentist might notice it at your next visit. Contact a local family dentistry office to learn more.