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
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.
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? ›
When you have sensitive teeth, certain activities, such as brushing, eating and drinking, can cause sharp, temporary pain in your teeth. Sensitive teeth are typically the result of worn tooth enamel or exposed tooth roots.
How to make your teeth feel clean? ›
Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Floss regularly. Visit your dentist routinely for a checkup and cleaning. Tell the dentist about any medical conditions you have and medications you take.
How should my teeth feel after brushing? ›
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.
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? ›
According to the American Dental Association, people should schedule teeth cleanings at regular intervals recommended by their dentist. For many people, this will be every six months. But that could change based on your unique oral health needs.
Why does the back of my teeth always feel dirty? ›
It's normal to have a small amount of plaque on your teeth throughout the day, which is why it's so important to brush your teeth regularly. If left unchecked, plaque will multiply and grow thicker on the surface of your teeth. This can contribute to that fuzzy tooth feeling and damage your teeth over time.
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.
How can I make my mouth fresh all day? ›
Lifestyle and home remedies
- Brush your teeth after you eat. Keep a toothbrush at work to use after eating. ...
- Floss at least once a day. ...
- Brush your tongue. ...
- Clean bridges, dentures, retainers and mouth guards. ...
- Keep your mouth moist. ...
- Change your diet. ...
- Replace your toothbrush. ...
- Schedule regular dental checkups.
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 do I strengthen tooth enamel? ›
8 Ways to Make and Keep Your Teeth Strong and White
- Eat calcium-rich foods. ...
- Drink water instead of soda or juice. ...
- Brush with an enamel-strengthening toothpaste. ...
- Reduce foods and drinks that stain enamel. ...
- Eat a balanced diet. ...
- Get plenty of fluoride. ...
- Avoid DIY whitening remedies. ...
- Don't forget about the rest of your mouth.
How to remove plaque from teeth at home? ›
Here's how:
- Brush regularly, twice a day for 2 minutes a time. ...
- Studies have found that electronic, or powered, toothbrushes may get rid of plaque better than manual models. ...
- Choose tartar-control toothpaste with fluoride. ...
- Floss, floss, floss. ...
- Rinse daily. ...
- Watch your diet. ...
- Don't smoke.
Why do my teeth look dirty after brushing? ›
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 to get rid of chalky feeling on teeth? ›
It's a valid comparison since chalky teeth is a temporary side effect of eating certain foods that are high in oxalic acid, like strawberries or spinach. A quick mouthwash rinse or even swishing water around in your mouth will get rid of the sensation.