You may already know how to use a toothbrush, but if your teeth look a bit unsightly, stained, or just feel dirty all of the time, it may be because you aren't brushing properly. If you aren't brushing properly, you could end up causing further dental issues, not just the physical appearance of your teeth. The actual health of your teeth and gums could become affected as well. To get your teeth clean and to keep your mouth healthy, read on for helpful tips.

Brush For Two Minutes

You most likely don't time yourself when you brush your teeth, but if you did, you would notice that you aren't brushing your teeth for a full two minutes. You may only be brushing for less than a minute, which isn't enough time to brush all of your teeth thoroughly. That fast cleaning isn't removing enough of the plaque on your teeth, which is why they still feel dirty to you. Brush for at least two minutes, and set a timer if you need to do so to ensure you are brushing for the entire two minutes.

Brush With A Soft-Bristle Toothbrush

Make sure you are using a soft-bristle toothbrush to prevent scratching the enamel on your teeth. You can use a toothbrush with a sensor on it that tells you that you are brushing too firmly if need be as well. One sign that you are brushing too harshly is if your toothbrush bristles are beginning to fray or split down the middle of your toothbrush. When this happens, replace your toothbrush and start brushing with a gentler touch.

Floss With Floss Picks

Use floss picks to floss your teeth instead of traditional floss. Using traditional floss may mean you are less apt to properly floss your teeth. Floss picks are easier to use and you may use them more often, even when on the go, as you can just grab and go with them. Flossing helps remove the plaque and food particles from in between your teeth where a toothbrush cannot get to. The plaque in between your teeth can also lead to cavities, just like plaque on any other part of your tooth. 

Be sure you are cleaning your teeth properly in order to keep your teeth healthy and strong. Talk to your dentist about other dental health and cleaning tips to ensure your teeth not only look healthy but are actually healthy. Contact a family dentist for more information.