How to Brush Your Teeth Properly?

Use the correct type of toothbrush and toothpaste to keep your teeth healthy. Toothbrush is an important oral hygiene instrument. Keeping our teeth healthy is necessary for us through out our life. Tooth decay, cavities, erosion of tooth enamel, tooth decay, tartar, etc are the main problems.

The toothbrush should not damage tissues, should not cause teeth abrasion and should need less effort to clean. An ideal tooth brush should

• be about 1 inch long.
• have round head.
• have uniformly trimmed soft bristles 15.875 mm long and diameter 0.203mm.
• 4 rows of bristles for adults, 3 for small mouth and 3 for children.

Correct & Proper Brushing Technique

It is very important to brush your teeth properly and correctly.

A soft or medium toothbrush with correct brushing technique will give best and effort less cleaning. Brush atleast 3 minutes, preferably 5 minutes.

1. At the front and rear surfaces of teeth, move the brush gently up and down with a flickering action of the wrist.
2. Place the toothbrush at 45 degree angle where the teeth meet the gums. Press firmly, and gently rock the toothbrush back and forth using small circular movements. Vigorous brushing can make the gums recede and scratch your tooth enamel.
3. Move the brush back and forth on the biting or grinding surfaces with more force than the front and back surfaces.
4. Move the brush to all parts of the teeth including gums with tooth brushing strokes. Spend 10 s brushing each tooth.
5. Do not brush hard scrubbing on the front and back teeth and gums to avoider damage to teeth and gums.

Avoid the use of hard bristled toothbrushes and/ or abrasive toothpastes.

Brush the chewing surfaces vigorously with short back and forth strokes. Brush all surfaces of the teeth.

Brush the tongue. Plaque on the tongue can cause bad breath where bacteria can grow.

Use disclosing tablets (chewing tablets) reveal plaque left on teeth after brushing.

Toothpastes

Use only a small dab (pea-sized or smaller) of toothpaste.

Use fluoride toothpaste. Excessive fluoride can be dangerous for your health.

Tartar control toothpastes slow down the build-up of tartar (plaque), but daily brushing with any toothpaste and flossing are the best tartar-control methods.

Rub walnut bark on your teeth to clean and whiten.

Note that generally all the toothpastes are the same. Regular brushing and flossing habits will ensure your teeth a long life.

Note that commercially available toothpastes contains chemicals such as saccharin, whiteners, bleaches, and artificial flavors and colors.

You may try homemade toothpaste and mouthwash.

If you have sensitive teeth, use a toothpaste that contains fluoride and potassium nitrate or strontium chloride. The brand name is not important, all are same except the price.