Correct tooth brushing

I’ve often seen people cleaning their teeth and it seems many don’t know how to do it correctly. The toothbrush is not a magic wand. If it’s not used properly it won’t remove plaque and can do permanent damage by stripping the gums away or wearing away the necks of the teeth.

There are two very important things to remember:

• Never brush backwards and forwards
• Never brush towards the gums, always brush away.

The manual toothbrush is preferred to a powered one because it can clean under the gums where plaque collects. It should have a small head for better access. The bristles should be soft so that they can flex. The toothbrush should really be called a tooth broom because it is used like a broom not a scrubbing brush. The most critical part of the tooth is where the gums meet the neck of the tooth. If that area is always kept clean you will have always healthy teeth and gums.

Tooth structures

The crown of the tooth has a very hard crystalline structure called enamel, so that it is resistant to wear. Being inert, it also protects the teeth from harmful physical, chemical, and bacterial influences.

Beneath the enamel is dentine, a much softer non mineralised structure which connects with the tooth pulp. The root of the tooth has a thin covering called cementum which attaches the fibres that hold the tooth in its socket.

These fibres act like shock absorbers allowing the tooth to move when chewing food.

But it is the part around the neck of the tooth that is most important when tooth brushing. The gums are not attached right up to the gum margin. There is about 2-3mm that is unattached, which creates a trough around the tooth. This is where most of the plaque collects and it’s not visible.

To clean this area properly, the toothbrush bristles should be placed at the gum margin at an angle of 45 degrees push slightly downwards so the bristles slide behind the gums. Jiggle the toothbrush about 4-5 times, and then rotate the toothbrush so that the plaque is flicked out of the trough. It doesn’t take any longer to do it properly, and you’re wasting your time if you don’t.

Flossing

You must use dental floss as the toothbrush cannot clean between the teeth.

A triangular space is created where the teeth contact each other. The dental floss is used to clean the adjacent tooth surfaces. Tear off about 12 inches (5cm) of floss wrap it around the index or middle fingers of each hand. Pass it between the teeth, follow the curvature of the tooth on one side lift it off slightly to engage with the other tooth surface. Wipe it backwards and forwards several times then lift it away and move to the next tooth. If you find the floss is shredding ask your dentist to check the problem as it could be due to a filling or calculus.

Please note the information contained in this Web site is of a general nature only and is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a qualified healthcare professional. No person should act in reliance on any statement contained in this Web site and at all times should obtain specific advice from a qualified healthcare professional.