Tooth brushing is an essential daily habit to help ensure the health of our teeth and gums, but too many people utilize improper techniques when brushing, which may damage them further.
To properly brush, hold your toothbrush at a 45 degree angle and move in circular motions while brushing all three surfaces of each tooth – external, internal and chewing surfaces – by making circular strokes with it. Remember to include all areas.
For personalized guidance оn proper brushing techniques and other oral hygiene practices, consult with a dentist near me.
Brushing the Outside Surfaces
As when wiping down a kitchen counter, loose bits of food and plaque tend to come off easily with just a swipe, while dried-on spots require some elbow grease before being cleared away; that is where proper brushing techniques come into play.
With this method, the bristles are placed at a 45-degree angle near where the gumline meets the teeth and gently moved in circular strokes to clean both outside surfaces of top and bottom teeth as well as inner surfaces of molars and chewing surfaces.
Patients wearing braces should use the same method, beginning by angling their bristles above the brackets and arch wire on the outer surfaces of upper front teeth before moving them under to sweep under all sides of brackets on lower front teeth – this ensures all parts of their mouths are being adequately cleaned. Brush all parts twice daily for at least two minutes each time to maximize hygiene levels in their oral environment.
Brushing the Inside Surfaces
Maintaining healthy internal surfaces of teeth is vital, since these areas are susceptible to plaque. Use gentle circular strokes with your brushing motion, and avoid harsher techniques that could cause irreparable harm to enamel and gum tissue.
Back teeth come into direct contact with food, making their chewing surfaces vulnerable to plaque build-up. Gently brush these surfaces using short back-and-forth strokes. Don’t forget the inner surfaces of front teeth too – tilting your toothbrush vertically while making several vertical up-and-down strokes will get them clean too.
If you wear orthodontic braces, brushing may need to be modified in order to maintain optimal dental hygiene. We advise brushing before and after meals twice daily as part of an oral hygiene routine aimed at preventing cavities and keeping your mouth healthy; for more information, speak to your dentist regarding the best brushing method for you; flossing or interdental cleaners are a good way to remove plaque or food particles between the teeth that your toothbrush cannot reach, as is using an antiseptic mouthwash post-brushing.
Brushing the Chewing Surfaces
Brushing should include a thorough cleansing of chewing surfaces that are particularly susceptible to plaque accumulation, using techniques such as Bass (or modified Bass, Stillman or Charter techniques), whereby brush strokes should be directed from 45 degrees from gum line towards biting surface using very short strokes.
These movements enable the brush to access areas not accessible through rolling or Fones’ techniques or short horizontal strokes used in horizontal brushing techniques such as bass or rotary (flipping) brushing techniques; as they cause less gum tissue damage. These methods are also preferred over Bass or rotary brushing for patients suffering from bruxism as they cause less gum tissue damage than these methods do.
Once all outer and inner surfaces of each tooth have been thoroughly cleansed, carefully brush the chewing surfaces of molars with short back-and-forth strokes to remove bacteria and freshen breath. Brushing should take approximately two minutes to complete; ensure all surfaces of teeth and gum line are cleaned.
Brushing the Tongue
Brushing your tongue may not be top of mind when it comes to oral hygiene routine, but it should be. Harmful bacteria buildup on the tongue can contribute to bad breath and gum disease; brushing helps remove these microbes and maintain a balanced ecosystem within your mouth.
There are various techniques for brushing the tongue, but one effective one is using the toothbrush you already use for dental cleaning. Apply some toothpaste onto the brush, start by brushing back-and-forth strokes from behind to front on both sides, and also clean any crevices on either side.
Charters method brushing involves applying pressure while vibrating a toothbrush, to reach areas between teeth that may be difficult to access thoroughly with regular brushing techniques. Furthermore, this approach works great for cleaning both upper and lower molar sulcuses effectively.
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