Brushing Up on Brushing

August 17th, 2011

One of my granddaughters recently got her first baby teeth. It is adorable to see those two bright white teeth at the bottom of that sweet smile. Now, she is wanting to explore more foods and try out her new pearly whites, and I’m excited to help her discover new tastes and textures!

My daughter-in-law and I were chatting one night about their new nightly routine, which now includes brushing those two little teeth.  She was excited and exhausted about getting her baby used to having her mouth invaded by the baby toothbrush.  During the discussion, I started thinking about how many patients, both adults and children, that I see who are unaware of how to brush their own teeth correctly.

Most people know they should brush their teeth at least two times a day and floss daily.  There are, however, some things many people don’t know that will help to improve your brushing technique.  So, here are some tips for brushing your teeth properly:

The Brush Matters

A lot of people choose the hardest, largest toothbrush they can find.  The thought is that the bigger and the harder, the better.  For brushing, that is not the case.  The harder the bristle, the more damage it can do to teeth and gums.  Harder toothbrush bristles tend to wear grooves in the teeth at the gum line and wear away gum tissue covering the tooth root.  I recommend you only get a soft or extra soft toothbrush.  The softer brushes clean better, as well, because their bristles flex and are better able to reach touch to get areas.  Also, the larger the head of the toothbrush, the harder it is for the brush to reach all those small areas around back teeth.  So, when you are picking out your next toothbrush, remember that soft and small are key!

Just A Dab Will Do

A lot of my grandchildren love to cover their toothbrush with as much toothpaste as possible.  They can't get enough of some of the tasty flavors available.  Lots of toothpaste, however, isn't necessary for a clean mouth.  About a pea sized amount will get the job done.  And, if your child is likely to swallow the toothpaste, you want to keep the amount small or simply have them brush with water until they are a little older.

An Angle and a System

(Image courtesy of Healthwise, Inc)

Don’t hold your toothbrush flat against your teeth.  Hold it at a 45 degree angle!  There is a great system the dental community recommends that will help you clean each tooth properly.  Start with the farthest three rear teeth on your upper jaw.  Clean the chewing surface first, then the outer surface (towards the cheek) and then the inner surface (towards the tongue).  Don’t forget to brush the back surface of the last tooth.  Make sure to move the brush in a circular movement and not back and forth. Back and forth movements can damage the teeth and gums. Once you have cleaned those three teeth move onto the next three teeth.  Once you have cleaned the top teeth then move to the bottom teeth and start the process over again.

Putting The Pressure On

Once you have cleaned your upper and lower teeth, take your brush and clean around the gums to remove any food particles that may be left.  This is also an excellent time to brush your tongue!  Simply take the toothbrush and wipe the bristles from the back of the tongue to the front and spit out the residue.   Remember that thousands of small grooves in your tongue collect bacteria so this is a very significant step.  Brushing your tongue is especially important for fighting bad breath!

Wash, Rinse, Repeat

After you have brushed your teeth, it is always good to rinse out your mouth.  This removes particles loosened by your brush.  Water will work, but mouthwash is always better.  Mouthwash helps to keep your breath fresh.  Some mouthwashes kill any remaining bacteria while others provide additional fluoride, which makes teeth more resistant to decay. Try to brush at least twice a day or after every meal.

Hopefully this will assist you in brushing more effectively and thoroughly.  Daily brushing is very important to keep your mouth (and your body) healthy. Many diseases, including heart disease, have been linked to poor oral health.  Proper brushing is your first line of defense against dental problems. It is important for everyone, including those as young as my granddaughter, to learn the proper way to brush their teeth!

-Dr. Marcia Nemecek, DMD

To learn more about the importance to brushing please visit our Patient Information Page.