Brushing

Pointers for brushing

• Brush at least twice a day:

  Brush before going to sleep as the mouth gets drier at night with decrease in saliva flow. Saliva fights the growth of bacteria on your teeth. This makes it easier for acids from bacteria to attack your teeth. Also try to brush in the morning, either before or after breakfast. After breakfast is better. That way, bits of food are removed. But if you eat in your car or at work or skip breakfast, brush first thing in the morning. This will get rid of the plaque that built up overnight.

• Brush no more than three times a day:

  Brushing after lunch will give you a good mid- day cleaning. But brushing too often can damage your gums.

• Brush lightly:

  Brushing too hard can damage your gums. It can cause them to recede (move away from the teeth). Plaque can be removed by a light brushing. But once plaque has hardened into calculus (tartar), brushing won't remove it, you will need cleaning at the dentist's office.

• Brush for at least two minutes:

  Two minutes is the minimum time you need to clean teeth.

• Fix a standard routine:

  Try to brush your teeth in the same order every day. This can help you cover every area of your mouth. If you do this routinely, it will become second nature.

• Always use a toothbrush with soft or extra-soft bristles:

  The harder the brush, the greater the risk of harming your gums.

• Change your toothbrush regularly:

  Throw your old toothbrush after three months or when the bristles start to flare, whichever comes first. If your bristles flare much sooner than every three months, you may be brushing too hard.

• Electric is fine, but not always necessary:

  Electric or power- assisted toothbrushes are a fine alternative to manual brushes. They are especially useful for people who don't use proper brushing techniques. They also are a good choice for people with physical limitations. Use a powered toothbrush for at least two minutes and don't press too hard. These toothbrushes usually have heads which either vibrate or move round and round. Some brushes also use sonic waves to help dislodge plaque and debris. You can buy electric toothbrushes in battery or rechargeable form.

How to brush:

The modified Bass technique is among the most popular for adults. Parents should supervise their children's brushing until age 9 or 10.

Tooth brushing techniques

• Brush at least twice a day:

  Brush before going to sleep as the mouth gets drier at night with decrease in saliva flow. Saliva fights the growth of bacteria on your teeth. This makes it easier for acids from bacteria to attack your teeth. Also try to brush in the morning, either before or after breakfast. After breakfast is better. That way, bits of food are removed. But if you eat in your car or at work or skip breakfast, brush first thing in the morning. This will get rid of the plaque that built up overnight.

• Brush no more than three times a day:

  Brushing after lunch will give you a good mid- day cleaning. But brushing too often can damage your gums.

• Brush lightly:

  Brushing too hard can damage your gums. It can cause them to recede (move away from the teeth). Plaque can be removed by a light brushing. But once plaque has hardened into calculus (tartar), brushing won't remove it, you will need cleaning at the dentist's office.

• Brush for at least two minutes:

  Two minutes is the minimum time you need to clean teeth.

• Fix a standard routine:

  Try to brush your teeth in the same order every day. This can help you cover every area of your mouth. If you do this routinely, it will become second nature.

• Always use a toothbrush with soft or extra-soft bristles:

  The harder the brush, the greater the risk of harming your gums.

• Change your toothbrush regularly:

  Throw your old toothbrush after three months or when the bristles start to flare, whichever comes first. If your bristles flare much sooner than every three months, you may be brushing too hard.

• Electric is fine, but not always necessary:

  Electric or power- assisted toothbrushes are a fine alternative to manual brushes. They are especially useful for people who don't use proper brushing techniques. They also are a good choice for people with physical limitations. Use a powered toothbrush for at least two minutes and don't press too hard. These toothbrushes usually have heads which either vibrate or move round and round. Some brushes also use sonic waves to help dislodge plaque and debris. You can buy electric toothbrushes in battery or rechargeable form.

How to brush:

The modified Bass technique (below) is among the most popular for adults. Parents should supervise their children's brushing until age 9 or 10.

Bristles are placed at 45 degrees angle to the gingivae and moved in small circular motion.

Strokes are repeated around 20 times, 3 teeth at a time.

On the lingual aspect of the anterior teeth, the brush is inserted vertically and the heel of the brush is pressed into the gingival sulcus and proximal surface at 45 degrees angle, the bristles are then actuated.

The occlusal surfaces are cleansed by pressing the bristles firmly against the pits and fissures and then actuating the bristles.

It is effective method for removing plaque adjacent to and directly beneath the gingival cervical areas and sulcus.

It provides good gingival stimulation.

It is easy to learn.

Overzealous brushing may cause injury to the gingiva.

It is time consuming.

Dexterity requirement is too high for certain patients.

Indicated for young children and others who do not have the muscle development for more complex technique.

The child is asked to stretch his/her arm such that they are parallel to the floor.

The child is then asked to make big circles which are reduced in diameter until very small circles are made in front of the mouth.

Now, brushing is done in circular motion in the teeth making sure that the teeth and the gums are covered.

It has equal or better potential than the Bass technique for plaque removal.

It is easy to learn.

It takes shorter time.

Physically or emotionally handicapped individuals can use this technique.

It provided good gingival stimulation.

It can cause trauma of the gingival.

Interdental areas are not properly cleaned.

Effects of incorrect brushing

• Gums can be receded as a result teeth look long and root gets exposed;
• Gums get irritated and start bleeding ;
• Tooth staining ;
• Bad breathe called as Halitosis ;
• Periodontal problems ;
• Abrasion (wear) of the teeth takes place ;
• Teeth become sensitive to hot and cold sensation

Bone loss leading to mobility and ultimately tooth loss.