Since you may not be as big of a dental geek as we are, you may not know that today is National Brush Day. It promotes awareness of the importance of good brushing habits for kids – and for adults too. It happens the day after Halloween, when there’s a good chance at least some members of your household may have overindulged in candy and similar treats.

 In honor of this day, we hope you’ll follow our tips to boost your brushing results:

  • Take Your Time – You probably know the importance of brushing your teeth at least two times at day. But you may not realize you should brush for two full minutes each time. Most people, especially youngsters, spend far less time than that brushing. Some electric brushes have a timer. If so, use it. If your brush doesn’t have one, you can simply set the timer on your phone. Or to liven up your brushing, find some two-minute songs you like and brush to music. 
  • Choose the Right Toothbrush – While electric toothbrushes do have some handy features, your brush doesn’t have to have a lot of bells and whistles to get your teeth clean. The most important thing is to choose a brush with soft bristles, as hard bristles can damage your tooth enamel. And pick one with a head that fits comfortably in your mouth. 
  • Watch Your Pressure – Some people treat brushing teeth like cleaning the tub. They figure they harder they scrub, the better. Actually, the opposite is true. Only gentle pressure is needed. If you brush too aggressively, you risk damaging your enamel. This can make your teeth appear dingy and also make you more susceptible to cavities. 
  • Keep Your Brush Dry – You brush your teeth to remove the bacteria. So you want to keep your brush as free of bacteria as possible too. Keep it somewhere where air can circulate around it freely. Don’t stow it in a drawer or similar dark spot that will encourage the growth of bacteria. 
  • Regularly Swap Out Your Brush – It’s a good idea to switch to a new toothbrush every three or four months. You should get a new brush even sooner if you’ve been sick (since the brush will be loaded up with bacteria) or if the bristles start looking worn or frayed. The latter may be a sign that you should use a softer touch when brushing. 

If you’d like more tips on brushing, ask us at your next dental exam. If you need to schedule a checkup, call us today at 979-279-8839 or contact us online for an appointment in our Bryan, TX office.