It’s funny how we’ve all been brushing our teeth on repeat yet most of us don’t have a great set of pearly whites. The reason is pretty obvious though – the technique and the frequency matters, apart from the choice of oral care products of course. Still confused? Let’s take up your case as an example. You religiously brush your teeth twice a day yet battle stains and cavities. After all, that’s why you’re here, no? This is when you should pause and question if you’re brushing your teeth right.
Before you learn how to brush your teeth the correct way, it’s essential to understand your teeth structure better.
Adults ideally have 32 teeth which include 4 types of teeth:
- 8 Incisors:
You’ve 4 incisors in each jaw, 2 on each side. These incisors are shaped like small and chisel-shaped and are used to bite into food. - 4 Canines:
You’ve 2 canines in each jaw, 1 on each side, right next to the incisors. These canines are the sharpest with pointy surfaces that are used for ripping food apart. - 8 Premolars:
You’ve 4 premolars in each jaw, 2 on each side, next to the canine. Bigger than the incisors and canines, they’re used for chewing food. - 12 Molars:
You’ve 6 molars in each jaw, 3 on each side, next to the premolars. Molars have a larger surface area to break up food easily into tinier pieces. - Rough skin texture
Step 1: Squeeze a dime-sized amount of toothpaste on the head of your toothbrush.
Step 2: Holding the brush at a 45° angle towards your gum line, brush the outer surfaces of your front teeth (incisors and canines) gently in circular motions.
Step 3: Glide forward to reach the chewing surfaces of the molars and premolars at the back. Use light back and forth motion to clean these teeth.
Step 4: Now flip the toothbrush and clean the inner surfaces of all your teeth at the top.
Step 5: Now brush your tongue starting from the back towards the front to get rid of plaque that settled while brushing your teeth.
Step 6: After a thorough 2-minute brushing routine, spit out the remnants of the paste and rinse your mouth with cold water.
We’ve rounded up quick fixes to help de-colonize the bacteria in your mouth and lead you to lesser dental troubles.
1.Aloe Vera
Concern:Cavities
Method:
- Extract 1 tablespoon of Aloe Vera gel with the help of a spoon.
- Place the gel on your toothbrush and brush your teeth with it for 5 minutes.
- Rinse your mouth with water.
2. Sesame Seed Oil
Concern: Tartar
Method:
- Add a spoon of Sesame Seed Oil to a cup of lukewarm water.
- Use this to gargle your mouth for 10 minutes and then spit it out.
- Rinse your mouth with water.
3. Activated Charcoal
Concern: Stained teeth
Method:
- Drop 1 tablespoon of Activated Charcoal powder on your toothbrush.
- Brush your teeth with it for 5 minutes.
- Rinse your mouth with water.
4. Lemon Peel
Concern: Yellow teeth
Method:
- crub your teeth with the inside of a Lemon Peel.
- Leave it on for 3 minutes and then brush your teeth like how you normally do.
- Rinse your mouth with water.
5. Apple Cider Vinegar
Concern: Stained teeth
Method:
- Add 2 tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar to a cup of water and stir well.
- Gargle your mouth with this solution for a minute.
- Rinse your mouth with water.
6. Banana Peel
Concern:Black spots
Method:
- Peel a Banana and slice it into small pieces.
- Take a piece and rub it gently all over your teeth for 2 minutes.
- Brush your teeth with your regular toothpaste.
7. Orange Essential Oi
Concern: Plaque
Method:
- Pour 2 drops of Orange Essential Oil on your toothbrush and then squeeze your regular toothpaste over it.
- Brush your teeth with this mixture.
- Rinse your mouth with water.
8. Coconut Oil
Concern: Cavities
Method:
- Pour a tablespoon of Coconut Oil in your mouth.
- Swish this around for about 2 minutes and then spit it out.
- Rinse your mouth with water.
9. Rock Salt and Lime
Concern: Tooth decay
Method:
- Mix 2 tablespoons of Lime juice and 1/2 tablespoon of Rock Salt in a bowl.
- Brush your teeth with this coarse paste.
- Rinse your mouth with lukewarm water.
10. Turmeric powder
Concern: Stained teeth
Method:
- Drop 1/4th tablespoon of Turmeric powder on your toothpaste.
- Brush your teeth for at least 2 minutes.
- Rinse your mouth well with water.
11. Guava Leaves
Concern: Root infections
Method:
- Crush 3 Guava Leaves till it forms a coarse paste.
- Now apply this paste on your teeth and let it stay for 2 minutes.
- Rinse your mouth with water.
12. Strawberry
Concern: Black spots
Method:
- Mash 2 Strawberries in a bowl and add 1 tablespoon of Baking Soda. Mix it well.
- Apply this paste all over your teeth and let it sit for 2 minutes.
- Rinse your mouth with cold water.
13. Clove Essential Oil
Concern: Tooth ache
Method:
- Dip a cotton swab in Clove Essential Oil and wring out the excess.
- Place the swab on the affected tooth and hold it for 5 minutes.
- Remove it and rinse your mouth with water.
14. Garlic
Concern: Tooth sensitivity
Method:
- Crush a Garlic clove in a bowl and sprinkle some salt and water on it.
- Apply this mixture on the affected tooth and let it sit for 5 minutes.
- Brush your teeth as usual and rinse off.
15. Amla powder
Concern: Loose teeth
Method:
- In a bowl of water, add 1 tablespoon of Alma powder. Mix it well.
- Gargle your mouth with this mixture for 10 minutes.
- Rinse off with water.
How to whiten teeth with baking soda?
Step 1: Add 1 tablespoon of Baking Soda to a cup of water. Mix to form a paste.
Step 2: Use this paste to brush your teeth for 2 minutes.
Step 3: Rinse your mouth with water.
How to remove plaque from teeth with the right toothpaste?
Regular brushing with these toothpastes can help target plaque.
- Anchor All Round Protection Tooth Paste
- Colgate Cibaca Vedshakti Toothpaste
- Dabur Meswak Complete Oral Care Toothpaste
How to remove stains from teeth with the right products?
Regular brushing with these toothpastes can help target stains on teeth.
- VICCO Vajradanti Ayurvedic Tooth Paste
- Himalaya Herbals Sparkling White Toothpaste
- Pepsodent Expert Protection Complete Toothpaste
How to clean yellow teeth without using any chemicals?
To clean yellow teeth, you can take to regular gargling with Coconut Oil and Eucalyptus Oil, or use diluted Apple Cider Vinegar as a mouthwash. As far as diet is concerned, fruits like Strawberries and Pineapples and calcium-rich foods, such as Milk and Broccoli can help whiten your teeth.
Nykaa Recommends: