Brushing Teeth properly

Modified Bass brushing technique:

This is the best way of brushing teeth properly:

  1. Hold the head of the toothbrush horizontally against your teeth with the bristles part-way on the gums
  2. Tilt the brush head to about a 45-degree angle, so the bristles are pointing under the gum line.
  3. Move the toothbrush in very short horizontal strokes so the tips of the bristles stay in one place, but the head of the brush waggles back and forth. Or use tiny circular motions. This allows the bristles to slide gently under the gum. Do this for about 20 strokes. This assures that adequate time will be spent cleaning away as much plaque as possible. Note: this is a very gentle motion. In healthy gums, this should cause no pain. Brushing too vigorously or with large strokes can damage gum tissue.
  4. Roll or flick the brush so that the bristles move out from under the gum toward the biting edge of the tooth. This helps move the plaque out from under the gum line.

Then

  1. Repeat for every tooth, so that all tooth surfaces and gum lines are cleaned.
  2. For the insides of your front teeth, where the horizontal brush position is cumbersome, hold the brush vertically instead. Again, use gentle back and forth brushing action and finish with a roll or flick of the brush toward the biting edge.
  3. To clean the biting or chewing surfaces of the teeth, hold the brush so the bristles are straight down on the flat surface of the molars.
  4. Gently move the brush back and forth or in tiny circles to clean the entire surface. Move to a new tooth or area until all teeth are cleaned.
  5. Rinse with water to clear the mouth of food residue and removed plaque.
  6. You can clear even more bacteria out of your mouth by brushing your tongue. With your toothbrush, brush firmly but gently from back to front. Do not go so far back in your mouth that you gag. Rinse again.

 

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Hence, to know more about brushing your teeth properly and keep them for a lifetime, meet Dr. Vimal Thareja MDS, at SmileMax Dental Clinic, Rani Bagh, Pitampura.

www.smilemaxdental.in