Brushing your teeth twice a day might seem like a mindless activity, and during those two minutes, you might space out or watch videos on your phone. This is especially the case when using an electric toothbrush, as many assume that it does all the work for them. However, if you stop paying attention to what you're doing when brushing your teeth, it's easy to do it wrong and make mistakes.
Whether you've just switched to an electric toothbrush or are teaching a child how to use one, we outline the steps to brushing correctly and common mistakes you might make. After all, no one wants to deal with the consequences of brushing incorrectly at their next dentist visit.
How to use an electric toothbrush correctly
Ready to make the switch to a powered toothbrush? Or, are you ready to learn how to correctly use yours? Fortunately, using one of these brushes is relatively simple and will take no more work than using a manual toothbrush.
Make sure your toothbrush is charged. Your electric toothbrush should have an indicator that lights when it is charged.
Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle and begin brushing the outside surfaces of your teeth. Hold the brush's rotating heads against each tooth for 2 to 5 seconds before you move on to the next.
After brushing the outer surfaces of your teeth, move to the inside surfaces, holding your brush's rotating heads against these surfaces for two to five seconds before moving on to the next.
Next, hold your brush's head against the chewing surfaces of your teeth. Hold your brush against these surfaces for a few seconds each before moving on to the next tooth.
You're not done yet. Run the rotating heads of your electric toothbrush along your gum line and on your gums. This will remove any remaining plaque in your mouth.
As a final step, gently brush the roof of your mouth and tongue. This is a good way to remove stubborn food particles, and brushing these areas of your mouth can also help freshen your breath.
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