Brushing your teeth is an important event that should ideally happen two times every day.
Although many people are consistent about brushing their teeth, few people brush everywhere
they need to in their mouths.
Due to the grooves of teeth and hard-to- reach back teeth, spots get missed and plaque can
build up. When plaque isn’t consistently removed, it can turn into tartar, where it will need to
be removed by a dentist.
The following are important places you should brush in your mouth that many people miss. Are
you missing these places? Read on to find out more!
Gums
Although our teeth are the main focus of our brushing routine, the gumline should get some
attention, too. This is where your gums meet your teeth. Most oral healthcare professionals
recommend brushing with your toothbrush head angled down at a 45-degree angle towards
the gum-line to remove any food and bacteria trapped there.
It’s essential to be gentle when brushing your teeth and gums, especially if you have gum
disease or are experiencing gum recession. Brush carefully, ensuring you clean your gumline
while still giving your teeth enough attention.
Tongue
Many people also neglect to brush their tongue as part of their regular oral care routine.
Brushing your tongue is important—but why?
Your tongue is home to bacteria just like the rest of your mouth. It can cause bad breath when
not regularly cleaned, allowing bacteria and food particles to get trapped by mucus on the
surface of your tongue.
Fortunately, brushing your tongue is simple enough and doesn’t require any additional tools
besides your regular toothbrush. Start in the back of your mouth and brush towards the front
when it comes to your tongue and rinse with water afterwards. You don’t need much pressure
to get your tongue clean with your toothbrush, so again, carefulness and consistency is the best
way!
Back Sides of Front Teeth
While many people are relatively savvy at brushing all sides of their molars, the big teeth in the
back of the mouth, the front teeth are often overlooked.
These missed areas include the back of your front bottom teeth and the back of your front top
teeth, which include your incisors, canines, and laterals. Tartar can easily build up here if you’re
consistently missing these places when you brush.
Yes, brushing behind your front teeth will require some maneuvering with your toothbrush, but
once you get into the habit of it, these places will no longer feel difficult to reach. Beware of
hidden plaque in these areas—if you can feel the fuzzy texture of plaque on the back sides of
your front teeth, be sure not to miss these places when you brush today!
Do you commonly miss these essential places in your mouth to brush? From brushing the
gumline to your tongue to the back sides of your front teeth, getting all these areas is important
for removing plaque. Remember that a professional cleaning every six months can enhance
your oral care routine and ensure you’re not missing any spots!
