Unfortunately, many people aren’t great brushers—oftentimes they rush through the process, brush too hard, or fail to brush all surfaces of their teeth. However, there is some evidence that by taking a video selfie while brushing, people’s technique often improves.
What Research has been done on Video Selfies & Brushing?
In a recent study of this topic, dental students were given a training session that illustrated the correct way to brush their teeth. Then, they were asked to record 5 brushing selfies over the next 2 weeks. When dental researchers examined the selfies, they found that the quality and accuracy of brushing improved over time.
Researchers believe the video selfies may have made the students more conscious of their teeth brushing. Essentially, rather than performing the habit in a mindless way, they put more thought into brushing, which led to an improvement in their techniques.
Bottom line? If you want to take your brushing from mediocre to marvelous, it may be a good idea to grab your smart phone and record yourself brushing.
Why is Brushing so Important?
Within 3-4 hours, plaque starts to grow on clean teeth. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that, if left on teeth, can cause gum disease, tooth decay, and ultimately tooth loss. Additionally, plaque that isn’t removed by brushing hardens into tartar, which can only be removed by your dental team.
At Smile Hilliard, we understand that these problems may sound relatively minor, but we know they can lead to serious consequences. Gum disease, for instance, has been associated with a number of serious health conditions including heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, poor pregnancy outcomes, and diabetic complications. Rather than put yourself at risk, we encourage you to to prioritize brushing. In the same way that good nutrition and regular exercise are important, so is brushing twice daily!
What is the Best Way to Brush?
Many people brush incorrectly, so we’re happy to share with you the right way to brush your teeth. First, we encourage you to select a soft-bristled toothbrush. Toothbrushes with hard or medium bristles are inflexible. This can wear away the gums and can cause recession.
Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle—this will allow the bristles to reach under the gum line, removing hidden plaque. With a gentle grip, take your brush and rotate it in small circles along the surface of your teeth. At a minimum, spend 2 minutes brushing your teeth, aiming to spend 30 seconds on each quadrant of your mouth. Lastly, don’t forget to brush behind teeth where tartar tends to accumulate.
If you rush when brushing, Dr. Sanyk may want you to consider using an electric toothbrush. There are models on the market that vibrate after 30 seconds so you know when it’s time to begin brushing a new section of your mouth.
Having said that, brushing alone is not enough to maintain good oral hygiene. Besides daily flossing, you also need to visit the dentist every 6 months for a routine checkup. If you’re due for an appointment, contact Smile Hilliard today!
In the mean time, try out the video selfie brushing technique to see if you can improve your brushing skills and take your smile to the next level!
