The Art of Brushing

At home I am constantly reminding my children to brush their teeth. My son had a dentist appointment today and he had more cavities. So, I decided to research the art of proper brushing.
First, I found out that it is recommended that you brush your teeth at least twice a day. Which I guess for children they could brush after breakfast and after dinner, or before bed. That way they do not have to keep up with a toothbrush at school.
Next, I learned that you should brush your teeth lightly. If you brush too hard you can damage your gums. You can’t remove plague by rinsing your mouth out. You need to brush lightly with a toothbrush that has soft or extra soft bristles. You shouldn’t use a hard bristled brush, it could also do damage to your gums.
Third, I found that you should be replacing your toothbrush at least every three months. Of course, common sense tells you that if you have the flu or strep throat, it is time to toss it in the trash. Now-a -days they make all kinds of characters on a toothbrush. In fact, my young daughter loves to get a new toothbrush with a different character each time.
You should brush your teeth for at least two minutes. You can use a song when helping a little one. Sing the alphabet song or wheels on the bus go round and round, while they are brushing their teeth. Soon they will be singing it in their head and on their own. It makes brushing fun instead of a chore.
You should tilt your toothbrush at a 45degree angle. You should begin by lightly brushing away from your gum line. Brush using back- and- forth motion until you have covered every tooth front and back. Brush your tongue to get rid of bacteria and odor. Finally, don’t forget to floss.