If good oral hygiene is achieved and maintained it is less likely that periodontal problems will arise. The aim of tooth brushing is to remove food debris and plaque from all of the tooth surfaces. It is important that good tooth brushing is carried out at least twice a day; the most important time to do this is before going to bed.
While we sleep our saliva flow is significantly reduced, therefore saliva cannot effectively neutralise acids or ‘wash’ over teeth and soft tissues at this time, and this means that the oral cavity is particularly vulnerable during these hours. Although the process of tooth brushing can be broken down into several basic points, it can be easy to simply get into a routine which can bring about bad oral hygiene habits.
Top Tips for Brushing Your Teeth
- Each tooth has 5 surfaces which need to be cleaned, front, back, biting surface and 2 sides (which will lie alongside the adjacent teeth in full dentition).
- The 2 side surfaces can only be cleaned with the use of for example floss or interdental brushes (see interdental cleaning)
- Effective tooth brushing is made easier if the mouth is broken down into 3 sections per arch – front surfaces, rear surfaces and biting surfaces
- It is advisable to have a good, thorough routine when brushing, for example rather than just scrubbing away randomly at your teeth you can ensure all surfaces are cleaned if you choose to start your brushing at the back tooth on the upper right and work your way around the front surfaces of the teeth until you reach the upper left, then work your way back round to the upper right by cleaning the rear surfaces, and then clean the biting surfaces right to left. Repeat the same process on the lower teeth
- It should take no less than 2 minutes to effectively clean your teeth, although more time spent cleaning will usually result in improved general oral hygiene
- It is good practice to use toothpaste that contains fluoride, as this helps to prevent dental diseases. The longer the fluoride toothpaste stays in contact with tooth surfaces the better; therefore it is advisable to not rinse your mouth out with water after brushing. Spit out but don’t rinse!
- The toothbrush should be rinsed clean after each use and manual toothbrushes should be replaced every 3 months as should most electric toothbrush heads, however Sonicare electric toothbrush heads tend to last for up to 6 months.
- Using a sawing action when brushing is not advisable as this is likely to lead to abrasion cavities, this way of brushing is essentially scrubbing away tooth tissue or pushing gums away from the neck of the teeth and is likely to need treatment eventually.
- If using a manual toothbrush, moving the brush over teeth with a small amount of pressure and using a small circular action, away from the gums is easiest and wont damage your teeth, and don’t forget it is important to gently massage the gums too.
- If using an oscillating electric toothbrush the brush just needs to be held on each individual tooth in turn, ensuring all areas of the tooth are brushed
- If using a sonic electric toothbrush you should hold the toothbrush on each tooth in turn, brush each one individually and gently manipulate the brush to ensure all areas of the tooth are brushed
- Always brush your tongue as well as teeth as food debris and plaque will sit here also
- Children under the age of 8 should be supervised while brushing teeth to ensure it is done effectively
- A brush with a small head, whether manual or electric makes it easier to reach all areas of the mouth. Large heads or double heads are not a good idea. The bristles should be soft to medium too, hard bristles will do more damage than good
- To make access to upper back teeth easier half close your mouth, this will relax muscles in you cheek and make things much easier. To make sure lower front teeth are cleaned well pull your lip down, then reaching the gumline becomes easier
- If using a mouthwash do so at a separate time to tooth brushing as the mouthwash solution will wash away the fluoride from the tooth surfaces
- You can check how well you are brushing by using disclosing tablets and following the instructions on the packet, this is particularly useful for children to see how well they’re doing
If you unsure if you are brushing your teeth properly or effectively ask your dentist, therapist or hygienist to give you a session in oral hygiene instruction.
