Brushing teeth, the correct way - Learn how to brush your teeth

Regular tooth brushing is very important in preventing tooth decay and gum disease. Brushing your teeth removes the bacteria of dental plaque that promote tooth decay and that can cause gum disease.

Brushing teeth is a simple task, but lots of people brush their teeth incorrectly, either skipping around so much that they don't really clean anything, or rubbing so hard that they actually damage their teeth and gums.

No matter how good you try to brush your teeth, some bacteria will always be left behind. The growth of dental plaque starts again the moment you stop brushing your teeth and remove the toothbrush from your mouth.

You should be very careful to use proper toothbrushing techniques so that the percentage of bacteria left behind will be the lowest possible.
Ask from your dentist or dental hygienist to teach you the correct tooth brushing technique.

HOW TO BRUSH YOUR TEETH - PROPER TOOTH BRUSHING TECHNIQUES

The most popular toothbrushing technique is the modified Bass method.

Place your toothbrush next to the teeth so that it rests on the gumline (the point where the teeth and the gums meet) , forming a 45 degrees angle against teeth and gums.

Move the toothbrush from the gums towards the edge of teeth to move the dental plaque away from the gum line.

Move the brush back and forth gently in short (1½ tooth wide) strokes.

After brushing, one by one tooth, all the outer teeth surfaces do the same for the inner surfaces.

Brush the chewing surfaces of the teeth with horizontal moves.

Spit out the toothpaste and rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash.

During toothbrushing give special attention to the area of the gumline where gum disease starts and to the back molars where it is easier for bacteria to hide.

Learn more about :

How to choose the best toothbrushes for you and your kids.

When to change - How to store your toothbrush.

Electric Toothbrushes - Manual toothbrushes vs Power toothbrushes.

History of the Toothbrush.

Brush your tongue, removing the bacteria that cause bad breath will freshen your breath. Use a tongue scraper if you do not feel comfortable cleaning your tongue with your toothbrush. If you have a bad breath problem, brushing the roof of your mouth might also help.

When you brush your teeth, you remove most of the plaque-causing bacteria. But some stay behind. These bacteria can set up a colony and begin damaging your teeth within 24 hours--which is why dentists recommend brushing twice a day to consistently interrupt their growth.

After finishing brushing your teeth, you can check if you have effectively removed dental plaque by using disclosing tablets.

Avoid the use of hard toothbrushes. Do not use too much force while brushing teeth. In both cases you could cause abrasions to the tooth enamel or dentin, that could lead to tooth sensitivity problems.

A correct brushing must have a duration of 2 to 3 minutes.

After brushing teeth use the dental floss to complete your dental hygiene.

Teaching dental patients about oral hygiene and correct way of brushing and flossing, is one of the main duties of a dental hygienist. The dental hygienist is the dental professional that has to 'inspire' the passion for good daily oral hygiene, that will keep you away of dental problems.

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