Brushing and taking care of your teeth is one of the most important things you can do to keep yourself healthy.  It is important to know the best and most effective ways to brush so that you are taking the greatest possible care of your teeth.  Here are some tips on how to brush your teeth so you are keeping your mouth as healthy as possible.

o    Be sure to brush after every meal.  That may not always be possible, but make sure if the option is there that you take it.  It is essential to brush your teeth every night before going to bed.  You don't want food and bacteria to sit on your teeth all night.
o    Be particular in choosing a toothbrush.  It is best to choose one with soft bristles so it won't damage your gums.  You'll also want to choose one with a relatively small head so you can get to all the hard to reach teeth and places in your mouth.
o    Make sure you are replacing your toothbrush every three to four months.  Once it gets past this point, the toothbrush will be too worn and dirty to do much good.  Many toothbrushes come with a center that contains a dye that will gradually disappear to indicate when it is time to get a new toothbrush.
o    You may consider investing in an electric toothbrush.  The kind that has proven most effective is one that will rotate and has a back-and-forth motion. 
o    Press firmly at a 45 degree angle against the gums while brushing.  Brush back and forth in small circular motions. 
o    It is important that you aren't scrubbing your teeth too hard and vigorously.  If you push too hard, you may pull your gums away from your teeth or even scratch the enamel on your teeth.
o    Concentrate on brushing each and every area of your teeth.  Begin with cleaning the outer surfaces on both the top and bottom teeth, then move to the inner surfaces and finally, the chewing surfaces. 
o    Make sure you brush the chewing surfaces of your teeth strongly and thoroughly since this part of your teeth gets the most exposure to food. 
o    Pay extra special attention to your gum line where tarter is the most likely to build up and to areas around any fillings, crowns or other restorations.  Also make sure you are getting your hard to reach back teeth. 
o    Be sure to spend at least two minutes brushing your teeth.  Very few people take this long while brushing, or even realize it takes this long to be completely effective.  If necessary, keep a stopwatch by the sink or even sing a song to ensure you are taking the proper amount of time.
o    Make sure you thoroughly brush your tongue every time you brush your teeth.  Brush it vigorously from the back to the front.  This will remove plaque and bacteria while eliminating bad breath.

While this can make it seem like brushing your teeth takes a lot of time and concentration, your oral health depends on you taking the necessary time to keep your teeth clean and healthy.  In the long run it will be worth it to take time out of your day to maintain a regular, meticulous teeth cleaning routine.  It will save you the money and pain that cavities and other serious oral problems can cause.