Brushing with a fluoridated toothpaste is recommended after each meal and before going to bed. Any food that remains between the teeth can cause cavities.
Proper brushing technique starts with the upper left molars and moves towards the right. This should be followed by cleaning the lower row of teeth in the same fashion.
Brushing should be done with vertical movements, with moderate pressure and several times for both the upper and lower rows of teeth until all dental plaque has been removed. This cleaning should last between two and three minutes. Be sure to brush every part of the mouth. By following the same sequence every time it will become a habit.
Rinse lightly so the teeth remain protected with a coating of fluoride. Over rinsing will wash this protective layer away.
Parents should supervise children under 8 or the parent should do the brushing.
Brushing Technique
1 Brush the front teeth by placing the brush at 45 degree angle to the teeth and the gums. Be sure that the bristles are touching the gums and the teeth.
-
2 Gently brush the surface of 2 or 3 teeth at a time using a rotating motion from front to back. Move to the next set of teeth and repeat the operation.
-
3 To brush the molars use a gentle circular movement as you move the brush forward and backward across the surface of the teeth.
-
4 Incline the brush vertically behind the front teeth. Brush outward several times using the tip of the brush.
-
5 Place the brush over the chewing surface of the molars and gently move the brush from back to front. Brush your tongue in a similar fashion; from back to front, to eliminate bacteria that causes bad breath.
The Tongue
Remember to brush the surface of your tongue. This prevents bad breath and the proliferation of bacteria in the mouth. There are special tongue cleaners, and you can use your own brush. Just remember to brush gently so as not to cause any damage.
Patients With Braces
For patients with braces it is a good idea to use an interdental brush with horizontal, short and repetitive movements.
Prosthetics
People with total or partial removable prosthetics should remove them and brush their gums and remaining teeth. They should also brush the prosthetic. It is advisable to leave the pieces in clean water overnight because the acrylic is very porous.
Physical Disabilities
If you have a physical disability that makes grasping a toothbrush difficult, you may find an electric toothbrush easier to handle. Alternatively special brushes can be made that are best suited to your needs and abilities.
Electric Brushes
Electric brushes can be useful for people who have difficulties handling a conventional toothbrush. It can also be useful for motivating children who are learning to brush their teeth.
It is important to note that good technique is still important for those who use electric brushes. It is easy to believe that the brush does everything you need. Brushing technique should consist of slow even movements across all the surfaces of the teeth. Ideally it should clean under the outer edge of the gums. Brushing should be done with moderate pressure in an orderly fashion without forgetting any surface.
Due to its round shape electric brushes are not very good at removing plaque in the far molars. So it is a good idea to use a conventional brush to clean these difficult to reach areas.
Avoid using the brush at full strength as it could damage the gums and enamel.
Remember
Having clean teeth takes more than the right brush or toothpaste. It requires motivation and good technique on part of the patient.
Brushes with a mere 2 or 3 rows are used to treat periodontal disease. These are used to clean bacterium that accumulates beneath the gums, which is the most damaging.
Brushes with 4 to six rows are the most common type of brush available and are recommended for daily use. Brushes with angled bristles are fine if you like them.
Braces: A good brush for those who use braces or other similar apparatus are the ones with shorter rows in the middle. This means that there is less abrasion on the bristles and the brush will last longer.
