Proper brushing technique
Posted in Dental Care on January 16th, 2009 by debojit – Be the first to commentRegular and proper tooth brushing is very important in preventing tooth decay and gum disease. Though brushing teeth is a simple task, but most of the people end up brushing their teeth incorrectly. They would either skip around so much that they don’t really clean anything, or rub so hard that they actually damage their teeth and gums. For a proper brushing, one needs a tooth brush, tooth paste, dispensing tablets to do the job thoroughly, mouthwash and dental floss. Brush at least twice a day to keep the gums and teeth free of plaque and other gum diseases. A good number of toothpaste is available in the market like teeth whitening paste, toothpaste for sensitive teeth. Choose the one that suits you best.
Rinse your toothbrush thoroughly before using it because it may have plaque germs left in it from the previous use. Choose a round headed toothbrush with soft bristles as it can reach all areas of the mouth. Change the tooth brush after every three months or when it starts wearing out whichever is earlier. It’s important to change your brush after you have suffered from cold because the bristles can collect germs which can lead to infection.
Next put some toothpaste on your tooth brush. A pea size blob for the adults will do but smear off tooth paste on the toothbrush. A proper brushing takes at least two minutes. Tilt your brush in a 45 degree angle and move the top of the brush in circular motions across the surfaces of the teeth. Don’t press too hard on
the teeth because it may damage the gums. Use back and forth motion for chewing surfaces. Use short, gentle strokes along the gum line. To brush backside of frontal teeth, use gentle up and down strokes with toe of brush. Cleaning the back teeth are a real problem. For the hard-to-reach back teeth pull the cheek a little for a better angle. Gently sweep your tongue with the toothbrush to remove bacteria and freshen breath.
Use Dispensing tablet. Chew it till it dissolves. Brush the area where plaque is visible,
Once you have finished brushing. Spit the tooth paste out of your mouth.
It’s a good idea to floss your teeth at least once in a day. To floss your teeth properly, wrap the floss ends around your middle fingers. Hold the middle floss section between your thumb and forefinger of each hand. Rest the floss between your teeth. Clean up and down while pulling floss around teeth at the gum line.
If your gums bleed see your dentist immediately. No matter how good your brushing is you should visit your dentist twice a year. Regular dental visits are essential for the maintenance of healthy teeth and gums. A good home care regimen with a professional examination at least every six months is necessary for good result. Checking the teeth for decay is only a small part of a thorough oral exam. During each visit, your dentist should also check the gums for inflammation, tooth mobility and pockets; examine the mouth for symptoms of possible cancer, diabetes and vitamin deficiencies; and note any irregularities in your facial structure, bite, saliva). The dentist not cleans your teeth and but also encourages you to maintain good oral hygiene.
