After a long day at the office, there’s nothing more relaxing than coming home, putting on a pair of comfortable pajamas, washing your face and brushing your teeth, and getting in bed to watch the latest show on Netflix. But you may find it hard to relax and get some shut-eye if, even after you brushed your teeth, they still feel dirty! If you notice that your teeth still have that “fuzzy” feeling after brushing them, you don’t want to ignore it.
Having a buildup of bacteria and plaque can lead to oral health issues like gum disease, gum recession, and tooth loss — which is why it’s important to get to the bottom of the issue and get your teeth cleaned properly!
To ensure you’re thoroughly cleaning your teeth and removing plaque every time you brush, Taylor Dental has put together a few helpful teeth brushing tips for both adults and children.
Brush for Two Minutes
You may be surprised to find that you aren’t brushing your teeth for long enough. One of the most common reasons why teeth don’t feel clean after being brushed is because the process was rushed.
You should be brushing your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes every time. We recommend breaking your mouth up into four quadrants (top-right, top-left, bottom-right, bottom-left) and spending at least 30 seconds in each of these sections. Not only does this help to make the two minutes go by faster, but it ensures that you’re spending equal time in all areas of your mouth.
Keep in mind that it’s easy to underestimate how long two minutes is, which is why there are a few ways you can guarantee you’re brushing long enough every time. Try using your phone timer, purchasing a toothbrush with a built-in timer, or playing music and brushing for the duration of an entire song. Brushing for at least two minutes will help make sure you remove all the leftover food particles from your teeth.
Throw Out the Old Toothbrush
Do you only change your toothbrush when you get a replacement from your dentist during your bi-annual preventative care visit? If so, you may not be changing your toothbrush as frequently as you should. It’s recommended that you swap to a new toothbrush every three months or when your current toothbrush begins showing signs of wear and tear.
Take a look at the bristles on your toothbrush. Are they bent or showing signs of damage? Or worse, are the bristles beginning to fall out? If the bristles aren’t in their normal upright position, they aren’t able to reach between your teeth with enough force to adequately clean your teeth. You may not even be removing any of the food particles or plaque buildup from your teeth at all — defeating the purpose of brushing your teeth. Proactively change to a new toothbrush every three months to ensure your toothbrush can effectively clean your teeth and gum line.
Change Your Brushing Technique
Next time you brush your teeth, take note of how you do it. Are you brushing in a side-to-side or an up-and-down motion? It’s a common misconception that you should be brushing side-to-side — which could be leaving you with teeth that don’t feel clean since your brushing may not be cleaning the gum line properly.
Side-to-side brushing can also remove the enamel from your teeth! Instead, you should brush from your gum line, moving in a circular, up-and-down motion to give your smile the deep clean it deserves.
Call Taylor Dental for Preventative Dental Care
If you’re still not satisfied with how your teeth feel after brushing them, Dr. Taylor and his highly trained staff can help you determine the steps to take to improve your oral hygiene. Contact Taylor Dental in Billings, MT, to schedule an appointment for preventative care. We look forward to helping you improve your oral health!
FAQs
Some of the most common causes include: not using the right toothpaste, not flossing, brushing too hard, and not brushing your teeth for a long enough time. Oral hygiene plays an integral role in balancing the health of your other body functions, whether you realize it or not.
Why did my dentist not clean my teeth? ›
Can the dentist refuse to clean your teeth? Yes, perhaps when they are trying to protect your health. If you notice blood while brushing, if your teeth appear bigger than normal, if you are experiencing persistent bad breath, if you are gums are irritated and swollen, these are all signs of gum disease.
Why does my mouth not feel fresh after brushing? ›
A persistent nasty taste after brushing may stem from various causes. It could result from dental issues like gum disease or cavities, leading to bacterial growth. Dry mouth, certain medications, or improper brushing techniques might also contribute.
Why do my teeth feel bad after brushing? ›
Tooth sensitivity is a common cause of tooth pain after brushing. This type of pain is usually felt in the teeth when they are exposed to hot, cold, or sweet temperatures. The pain is often sharp and fleeting, but it can be severe.
How can I make my teeth feel cleaner? ›
How to Clean Your Teeth So It Feels Like You Just Left Our Office
- Use a soft, small brush. Soft, small brushes are usually the best, as they won't damage enamel and are easier to move, ensuring you reach each crevice. ...
- Invest in a dental hygienist kit. ...
- Floss. ...
- Use mouthwash.
Most of the time, teeth become stained from the substances that individuals eat and drink, as well as other lifestyle choices. Smoking is a large culprit when it comes to stained teeth, but it isn't the only cause. Regular ingestion of berries, coffee, red wine, and cola can all cause teeth staining.
How often should you let the dentist clean your teeth? ›
General guidelines state that patients should make an appointment for a professional dental cleaning every six months. While this is ideal for most people, some will need to come in every three months and others will only need to come in every nine or 12 months.
How do you know if your teeth are really clean? ›
If your teeth feel as smooth as glass, you've done a good job of brushing. If some areas still feel a bit rough, you should brush them again. Bacteria start forming the layer of biofilm in as little as two hours after brushing. After 48 hours this biofilm gets stronger, turning into a thicker dental plaque.
How many times should I go to the dentist to clean my teeth? ›
Dentists generally recommend you have your teeth cleaned every six months (twice a year). Research has found, though, that in some cases more frequent cleanings can positively benefit your oral health.
Why does my mouth feel dirty all the time? ›
Poor hygiene and dental problems
Not flossing and brushing regularly can cause gingivitis, which can cause a bad taste in your mouth. Dental problems, such as infections, abscesses, and even wisdom teeth coming in, can also cause a bad taste. Other symptoms of dental problems include: bad breath.
Did you know that your smile might not feel clean for very long after you brush and floss not because you're not thorough with dental hygiene but because your smile alignment promotes problems? For instance, maybe you have some tight spaces that trap food or even open spaces that trap food.
Why don't my teeth feel clean after brushing with an electric toothbrush? ›
Common mistakes when using an electric toothbrush
Don't rush your brush. The ADA recommends that you brush your teeth for 2 minutes twice a day with a brush with soft bristles. Rushing this makes it more likely that you won't scrub away enough of the plaque that builds on your teeth.
Can tooth enamel be restored? ›
Can Tooth Enamel Be Restored? Once tooth enamel is damaged, it cannot be brought back. However, weakened enamel can be restored to some degree by improving its mineral content. Although toothpastes and mouthwashes can never “rebuild” teeth, they can contribute to this remineralization process.
What is the best toothpaste for removing plaque? ›
Choose an anti-plaque fluoride toothpaste like Crest® PRO-HEALTH Advanced Toothpaste. Make sure to floss daily with a product like Oral-B Glide Deep Clean or Oral-B Glide Comfort Plus. Pair it with an Oral-B Water Flosser to further remove food particles and plaque between teeth.
How to remove plaque from teeth at home? ›
The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. They also recommend flossing once a day. Flossing first will remove pieces of food and plaque from between the teeth and hard-to-reach areas. After flossing, the toothbrush will remove plaque on the surface of the teeth.
Are my teeth clean if they feel smooth? ›
Smooth teeth indicates that your dental hygiene techniques are successful in removing the plaque or tartar from your teeth. One way to check the smoothness of your teeth is by using the Tongue Test.
