Strong teeth and healthy gums depend on regular oral hygiene, but unless you’re using proper technique, your brushing and flossing may not be doing much good. Four Corners Dental Group, keeping Anchorage smiles bright with affordable dental care, has some tips for properly brushing your teeth.

Keep these tips in mind the next time you brush:

• Everyone's mouth is different, so there is no ultimate “best” toothbrush. If you have a small mouth or smaller teeth, dentists recommend a small brush that can adequately clean hard-to-reach areas. Electric toothbrushes aren’t necessarily better, but they can help you do a better job, especially if you have trouble with your joints.
• Ideally, you should be brushing three times a day, for at least two minutes at a time. A handy technique is to divide your mouth into quadrants and spend 30 seconds on each. More isn’t necessarily better, though; brushing for too long can lead to sore gums and plaque build-up.
• Brushing too often or too hard can also wear down your tooth enamel, so keep it to three times a day and be gentle. Removing plaque actually doesn’t take a great deal of pressure.
• If you use long, side-to-side motions when you brush, you could be leaving behind plaque deposits and scraping up your gum line. Most experts recommend holding the brush at a 45-degree angle and top-to-bottom. Make sure you get the surface of each tooth, as well as your back molars.

For more advice on properly caring for your teeth, call (907) 258-3384 to schedule your appointment with the cosmetic dentistry specialists at Four Corners Dental Group today.