Best Brushing Techniques for Clean Teeth

8 Best Brushing Techniques For Clean Teeth

We were taught at a young age the importance of brushing our teeth after every meal to prevent cavities and tooth decay. But did you know there’s a right way—and a wrong way—to brush your teeth? If you’re unsure what to do, here are some tips to help you get started on keeping your teeth clean. First, start by cleaning your teeth thoroughly before bedtime. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. For most people with good oral health, using a circular technique to brush your teeth is generally recommended. When you’re done brushing your entire mouth, don’t forget to floss. Finally, rinse your mouth with water to remove any leftover debris.

Here are some other tooth brushing techniques to keep your teeth clean, strong, healthy, and dental plaque-free.

1. A toothbrush can make all the difference when it comes to oral health

You can’t expect your teeth to stay healthy if you don’t brush them properly. Choose a toothbrush with multiple levels of bristles to reach all areas of your mouth. If you’re unsure of which toothbrush is for you, speak to your family dentist for some recommendations. Don’t forget that you will need to replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months.

2. Choose a fluoride toothpaste that you like best.

We all know brushing is vital to maintaining healthy teeth. However, the type of toothpaste is just as important. Toothpaste with fluoride are especially effective at removing plaque-forming bacteria from your mouth and keeping your breath fresh after every brush. You should also consider using whitening toothpaste if you have discolored teeth.

3. Hold the toothbrush correctly

That’s right, there is a correct way to hold the toothbrush, and it’s not merely holding it parallel to the mouth. Brushing your teeth the proper way is an essential part of oral hygiene, and the correct brushing method is to keep the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the teeth so that you can point the bristles where the teeth and gums meet. When you brush your teeth correctly, you remove plaque and debris from your teeth and gums. Plaque is a sticky film that forms on your teeth and gums. If you don’t clean your teeth, plaque will harden and form tartar. Tartar is a hardened substance that collects on your teeth and gingivae. Over time, tartar can cause cavities and periodontal disease.

4. Brushing technique

Brushing your teeth is an essential part of maintaining healthy teeth and gums. However, you won’t clean every tooth’s surface if you scrub or brush horizontally back and forth. Instead, follow the natural contours of your molars and incisors using gentle, circular motions. When brushing, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and gently brush all surfaces of each tooth, including the chewing surfaces. 

Man Brushing Teeth

5. Try the Bass or Sulcular Technique

Bass brushing is a technique that helps prevent and control the growth of tooth decay and gum disease. The Bass method of brushing involves a firm but gentle pressure in a circular motion of the toothbrush so that the bristles reach under the gums to scrub off plaque before it hardens into tartar and causes gum disease. This will help remove any debris that may have accumulated there. Here is how to use this brushing technique.

  • To brush your teeth properly, place the toothbrush parallel to your teeth, with the bristles facing the gums.
  • Tilt the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle and gently brush under the gumline using a circular motion.
  • While holding the bristles against your gums, vibrate or wiggle the toothbrush head back and forth in short strokes or use a small circular motion on each spot for 15 to 20 seconds. 
  • To brush the inside of the front teeth, position the toothbrush in a vertical position, and use the bristles at the end of the brush to brush under the gum tissue.
  • Now brush the rest of your teeth, including the chewing surfaces of your molars, and don’t forget to brush your tongue.

6. Use the Stillman method

Stillman’s technique cleans the underside, surface, and gumline of teeth. It differs from Bass in that it moves the brush toward the tooth’s chewing surface using short, back-and-forth strokes. Like the Bass technique, tilt the toothbrush and brush under the gumline, but focus on the tooth surface, where food and cavity-causing bacteria come into most contact with your teeth.

7. Practice the Charter technique

Charter is a dental care technique designed specifically for people who have spaces between their teeth, need gum surgery, have exposed root surfaces, or have gum recession. This dental care technique can also be recommended for patients with orthodontic appliances or fixed partial dentures.

To practice this technique, you will need a soft-bristled toothbrush. Start by placing the bristles at a 45-degree angle and pointing them towards the tooth’s chewing surface. Next, brush the tooth for 15 to 20 seconds using short, circular strokes. Move your way around to the other teeth, cleaning both the inner and outer surfaces and the chewing surfaces of the molars.

8. Brush your teeth using a combination of techniques

Brushing your teeth is an important part of maintaining healthy gums and teeth. There are many brushing methods to brush your teeth, including using a toothbrush, a manual toothbrush, or an electric toothbrush. You can also complement your brushing by using a water flosser, mouthwash, a tongue scraper, a toothpick, and most importantly, floss.

Brushing your teeth thoroughly to remove food particles that may get stuck is very important. You should start at the back of your mouth and work your way forward. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to scrub the teeth and gums gently. Don’t forget to brush the tongue and the roof of your mouth.

Brushing Technique FAQ

The classic toothbrush method is one of the most commonly used, and for good reason. It’s easy to learn, and can be mastered in just a few minutes.

To begin, hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle toward the gum line. Make small, light circular brush strokes that overlap each tooth surface until you’ve brushed all of them.

Brushing your teeth is important for keeping your gums healthy. If you don’t brush your teeth for several days, it can lead to the onset of gum disease. Brushing helps remove plaque and arrest the formation of more plaque, which are both causes of tooth decay and gum disease.

Toothbrushing is a great way to keep your teeth and gums healthy, but it’s important to use the right technique and brush. If you’re using an overly vigorous toothbrush or brushing the wrong way, you can actually cause damage to your teeth and gums.

The best way to avoid this problem is by brushing with a soft-bristled brush that has rounded tips. You should also use a toothpaste that contains fluoride, which helps strengthen your tooth enamel and prevent cavities from forming.

Sloan Creek Dental is Here for Your Dental Care

 

As your local family dentist near the Allen and Fairview area, we are here to help you with any questions or concerns that you might have about keeping your smile healthy. If you want to learn more about proper brushing techniques, ways to prevent dental plaque, tooth decay, and dental care habits recommended for your teeth, feel free to contact us and we’ll be happy to help with your oral care routine. To schedule your appointment, contact Sloan Creek Dental, and our friendly staff will be happy to assist you. You can reach us at our Fairview, TX dental office to schedule an in-person consultation with us today – 972-468-1440

Our dental office is located in Fairview, Texas, and our patients visit us from across the surrounding areas, including Allen, Plano, McKinney, and Lucas.