Have you ever forgotten to pack your toothpaste for a trip? Maybe you were forced to skip out on toothpaste and just brush your teeth with water? As it turns out, that little mistake is a real thing! It’s called dry brushing—cleaning your teeth with just a toothbrush—and it could be the missing link to your oral hygiene routine!
The benefits of dry brushing your teeth
The American Dental Association has found in their dry brushing teeth study that dry brushing is actually more effective for removing plaque than brushing with toothpaste.
Why is that? Because many toothpastes contain glycerin—an oil that coats your tongue and teeth, making your teeth feel clean and smooth. This can make some people rush through their oral hygiene routine and not give their teeth the scrubbing time they need.
Mint is another toothpaste ingredient that can trick you into thinking your teeth are clean when they actually aren’t. This is why timing your tooth brushing is an important part of your dental hygiene routine as well. Setting a timer or even listening to your favorite song while brushing your teeth helps you maintain a healthy mouth.
If you’ve had periodontal disease or learned about it, you know how important a good oral health routine is to reversing and preventing gum disease. In fact, using a dry brushing technique can reduce bleeding and gingivitis by 50% or more. So dry brushing can and should be added to your oral hygiene routine— if not only as a training practice to improve your brushing accuracy!
Try out this dry brushing technique
- Start with a dry toothbrush. A toothbrush that is soft and dry will improve plaque removal by up to 57%. If you find the dry bristles too rough on your gums, go for the softest bristle toothbrush.
- Brush at a 45-degree angle. This keeps your toothbrush angled at your gum line so you can make sure to remove the plaque that builds near your gums.
- Brush inside surfaces first. These are often the most neglected areas of your mouth! Brush on the inside or tongue-side surfaces of your bottom teeth before moving to the top teeth.
- Massage your gums and teeth. Similar to dry brushing your skin, your teeth and gums will benefit from a gentle massage as well! Using your dry toothbrush, brush in a circular motion. This helps promote blood flow in the gums, strengthens the tissues, and reduces inflammation.
- Don’t rush. Think of dry brushing as a learning exercise. Use as much time as you need to brush all of your teeth – 2 minutes is the standard, but it can take up to 8 minutes depending on your unique smile.
- Use your tongue to ensure smoothness. You should brush until every surface of every tooth feels smooth. That’s how you know all the sticky bacteria have been properly removed— similar to the sensation after a professional dental cleaning.
Still have questions about dry brushing?
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions. We love to hear from you and we want to provide you with the information you need to maintain a beautiful smile.
If you’re looking for a top periodontist in Tampa or New Port Richey, we’d love to meet you! Request an appointment today.
