Brushing teeth is important and can prevent tooth and gum related diseases. Proper brushing takes at least two full minutes.To brush properly, you need short, gentle strokes, paying special attention to the gum line, hard-to-reach back teeth areas, around crowns, fillings or other restoration. Concentrate thoroughly on each tooth as you brush.

 

Introduction:

Brushing teeth is important and can prevent tooth and gum related diseases. All of us do this every day as a ritual without thinking too much. Proper brushing takes at least two full minutes - that is 120 seconds; most of us don’t come anywhere close to this. Here are a few steps which will help us to brush in a better way. For your convenience you can try using a stopwatch in the beginning. To brush properly, you need short, gentle strokes, paying special attention to the gumline, hard-to-reach back teeth areas, around crowns, fillings or other restoration. Concentrate thoroughly on each tooth as you brush.

Steps to guide in proper brushing:

1. After flossing, moisten toothbrush with water. You can use a soft bristled, small headed toothbrush.

2. Apply a small amount of toothpaste on your brush, about the size of a pea or a thin strip. Better to use a toothpaste that contains fluoride in it.

3. Start brushing the upper molars (the back teeth) on the left side/or the right side and work in a clockwise direction, cleaning the outer surfaces of the upper teeth. Repeat the same on the other side and the inner surface of teeth.

4. Now point the brush towards the gumline, in about 45 degrees angle. Using short circular movements, roll/sweep the brush away from the gumline. Do this for about 20 seconds for two-to-three times to remove any food/plaque from the tooth-gum-junction.

5. Repeat step two and three for the lower jaw teeth to clean both outside and inside surfaces.

6. Gently brush the outside, inside and chewing surface of each tooth with short back and forth strokes.

7. Next, brush the tongue and the inside of the cheeks, each for 30 seconds to remove any bacteria and also to freshen the breath.

8. Rinse mouth with water, then with mouthwash of your choice.

Note:

Replace toothbrush every three months or when it begins to wear out. Try to choose a toothpaste that contains fluoride. Use mouthwash for fresh breath.

Flossing:

Cut about a 12” piece of roll floss. Wrap the ends of the floss around the index fingers until the fingers are about 2”-3” apart. Floss between each teeth carefully, scraping the side of tooth. Change the floss in between if it becomes soiled. Once you finish flossing between all the teeth, rinse mouth with mouthwash.

 

 

If simple brushing and maintenance is not giving you the look you want, consider visiting the top San Diego orthodontics dentist.