You May Be Brushing Your Teeth Wrong

Taking care of your mouth means taking care of your whole body. Your teeth, tongue, and gums are home to about 700 species of bacteria, so a good oral hygiene routine can make a big difference in your overall health.

Ezzard Rolle, DDS, assistant professor of dental medicine at Columbia University’s College of Dental Medicine, breaks down common questions about dental care and shares the proper techniques to keep your mouth healthy.

Is it better to brush your teeth before or after breakfast?

Most dentists suggest brushing either before breakfast or 30 minutes after eating. “We definitely recommend holding off on brushing after consuming anything acidic, whether it's fruit, soda, juice, or sour candy,” says Dr. Rolle. “Acids weaken the outer layer of the tooth called the enamel.” Brushing while acids are still in the mouth can damage that layer.

After eating or drinking something acidic, instead of brushing Dr. Rolle recommends rinsing with or drinking water to help protect the enamel.

What kind of toothbrush is best?

Your teeth and gums will be happiest if you choose a toothbrush with soft bristles.

“There's a common misconception that a hard toothbrush cleans better than a soft toothbrush, but this is just not true,” Dr. Rolle says. Not only does a soft brush clean just as effectively, but it’s also better for your gums and teeth. Hard bristles can wear down enamel and cause the gums to recede, which can lead to sensitive teeth.

Consider trying an electric toothbrush. “The main advantage of an electric toothbrush is that it does a lot of the brushing motion for you,” Dr. Rolle says. “All you have to do is just hold a toothbrush to the teeth and it will perform the correct brushing motions.” Some advanced models even use a beeping signal to let you know if you’re brushing too hard or for long enough.

What’s the right technique?

To clean your teeth thoroughly, remember to:

• Get the right angle: Position the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums, hold the toothbrush parallel to the teeth, and brush in a circular motion using gentle but firm pressure.
• Brush by quadrant: Brush for two minutes to ensure that each section of the mouth is cleaned adequately. It helps to picture your mouth as four quadrants: upper right, lower right, upper left, and lower left. “If you can brush for about 30 seconds in each section, that usually ensures that all parts of the mouth are equally and effectively cleaned,” Dr. Rolle says.

Do I really need to floss?

Flossing is an essential part of keeping your mouth healthy. Toothbrushes don’t effectively clean between teeth, so when food particles build up in those spaces, bacteria can get trapped under the gums and cause gum disease. Symptoms of gum disease include:

• Bleeding when brushing
• Gums that are red, swollen, or tender
• Bad breath
• Loose teeth or teeth falling out

Flossing helps your gums stay clean and disease-free. “Ideally, you would brush and floss after each meal, but that may not be very realistic for people with busy jobs or hectic schedules,” says Dr. Rolle. “We recommend brushing and flossing at least twice a day, and ideally one of those times will be before bed.”

Whether you floss or brush first is up to you. “Use a long piece—about 18 inches—and bring the floss down in between the teeth, make a C shape with the floss, and hug each tooth,” says Dr. Rolle.

Bleeding gums are normal when you first start flossing. In fact, it’s a sign that they need to be cleaned more thoroughly. The bleeding should subside within a week or two as your gums get healthier. See a dentist if you continue to experience bleeding or other symptoms of gum disease. Early treatment can improve gum health and prevent tooth loss.

Ezzard Rolle, DDS, is an assistant professor of dental medicine at the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine.