Give plaque the brush-off!
Brushing your teeth twice a day can save you hundreds of dollars--sometimes thousands--in dental work. But in spite of it being such a simple task, lots of people brush their teeth incorrectly, either skipping around so much they don't really clean anything, or rubbing so hard that they actually damage their teeth and gums. We'll show you the proper way to brush your teeth and keep your smile in tip-top shape.
Why is brushing so important? Because it interrupts the growth of plaque--a thin, sticky film of bacteria that plays a primary role in tooth decay and gum disease. When you brush your teeth, you remove most of the plaque-causing bacteria. But some stay behind. These bacteria can set up a colony and begin damaging your teeth within 24 hours--which is why dentists recommend brushing twice a day to consistently interrupt their growth.
Flossing is another important component of cleaning your teeth and interrupting bacteria growth. It should be done at least once a day, before brushing. If you need to brush up on your flossing skills, visit 2torial #0626: Floss Your Teeth to get the lowdown on this important step.
Choose your toothbrush
Dental researchers have discovered that toothbrushes with soft, nylon or polyester bristles with rounded tops do the best job of brushing teeth. Stiff bristles with sharp edges can damage teeth and gums, while natural bristles are porous and can harbor bacteria.
Your toothbrush should be easy to handle, and its head should be small enough to fit into your mouth easily. The modern trend in toothbrushes is toward smaller heads that can be used more precisely around gumlines and between teeth.
If the bristles on your toothbrush no longer stick up straight but rather flare to the side, it's time for a new one. Dental experts say it's a good idea to replace your toothbrush every two to three months.
Choose your toothpaste
Here's what toothpaste can do for you:
Remove plaque Resist decay Promote remineralization of the teeth Clean and polish Remove stains Freshen breath
There are a wide variety of toothpastes, but whatever you choose, make sure it includes fluoride. Fluoride only makes up about 0.24 percent of any toothpaste, but it's the most essential ingredient for dental health because it fights plaque and cavities. Beyond fluoride, take your pick from formulations (gel, paste, powder) and extras like tartar control and whiteners.
Learn the proper brush stroke
Does technique really matter? Yes it does. The most popular technique, called the Bass technique, concentrates on the third of the tooth nearest the gumline and the gum itself, where plaque tends to concentrate. By thoroughly cleaning this area before brushing the rest of the tooth's surfaces, you can wipe out most of the problem-causing bacteria in your mouth.
To practice the proper brush stroke, hold the toothbrush head (without any toothpaste on it yet) at a 45-degree angle toward your gums. The bristles should be gently flexed so they surround the gum tissues and the portion of the tooth closest to the gumline. Using either a circular or jiggling, up-and-down motion, brush this area with your toothbrush. After several seconds cleaning this area, slide the toothbrush away from the gum, over the tooth's surface toward the open mouth area. This will clean the rest of the tooth's side surface and brush the loosened bacteria away from and off of the tooth. This technique also stimulates the gum.
A modified version of this technique uses more up-and-down motion over the entire tooth, usually one-and-a-half teeth at a time. Yet another technique uses a circular or elliptical motion over the entire tooth, one-and-a-half teeth at a time.
Brush your teeth
To brush your teeth, put a pea-sized drop of toothpaste on your toothbrush, then cover all the surfaces of all the teeth in your mouth, using the Bass technique. Brush all outside surfaces first, both upper and lower, and then all inside surfaces next, upper and lower. Don't skip any teeth as you go around. Once you've done all the sides, you can gently use that old back-and-forth motion to clean the top chewing surfaces of your teeth.
Finally, you'll want to gently brush your tongue to remove more bacteria and freshen your breath. If you have trouble with gagging, stick your tongue out to brush it, or consider purchasing a tongue scraper. You can also brush the roof of your mouth.
When you're finished, thoroughly rinse your mouth with water and spit out the toothpaste.
The whole process should take about three minutes. Most people take less than a minute to brush their teeth, but this isn't long enough to do a thorough cleaning.
When you think about it, three minutes twice a day is a small investment in terms of all the prevention it will give you. Cavities and gum disease are no fun. Brush them away with your handy toothbrush, and you can smile all the way to the dentist's office.
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