When you brush your teeth in the morning and at night, does your mind tend to wander? If the answer is yes, you may not be paying close enough attention to what you're doing, which can lead to mistakes -- especially if you're using an electric toothbrush. While opting for an electric toothbrush instead of a manual version can make your life easier and provide various benefits, it can be easy to use one incorrectly.
To ensure you're getting your pearly whites as clean as possible, these are the steps you should follow when brushing with an electric toothbrush, along with common mistakes you might be making.
How to use an electric toothbrush correctly
Ready to make the switch to a powered toothbrush? Or, are you ready to learn how to use yours correctly? Fortunately, using one of these brushes is relatively simple and requires no more effort 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 moving on to the next one.
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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