Ask dentists about the correct way to brush your teeth!

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Brushing is something that should be done twice a day according to the advice of dentists to maintain the beauty and health of the teeth. By doing this, you will prevent the formation of plaque on the teeth and at the same time you will have white and beautiful teeth.

Plaque and mass that remains on the tooth creates a suitable environment for the growth of harmful bacteria. If these bacteria increase, the process of tooth decay is accelerated. Tooth decay, gum disease, tooth loss and the need for dental implants are all caused by the presence of plaque and tartar on the teeth. According to this issue, in the continuation of this article, Dr. Najmeh Drtahvildarnejad, as orthodontics specialist in Mashhad, has taught the correct way to brush teeth.

Why should we learn the correct way to brush our teeth?

The correct way of brushing your teeth will protect your teeth from decay. In fact, you prevent the formation of plaque on your teeth by brushing properly.

Also, when you brush your teeth correctly, wear and tear of the gums is also prevented. In many cases, the reason for the loss of gums and the formation of wounds on them is ignorance of the correct way to brush teeth.

Teaching how to brush your teeth correctly

Many methods of brushing have been described and advertised for their efficiency and effectiveness. These methods can be classified based on the pattern of movement during brushing into types of rotation (roll), vibration (vibration), rotation (circular), vertical and horizontal (Scrub).

Horizontal method is perhaps the easiest and most common method of brushing. This method is recommended for children who only have milk teeth. This technique will not be suitable in the period of mixed dentition where permanent teeth are also present in the mouth.

The rotation method is the least effective method because this method only produces alternating pressure on the teeth. while other techniques apply continuous force.

Below, we examine the correct brushing methods:

Read more» Why do children's teeth decay early?

The correct way to brush your teeth starts with holding the brush properly

The correct way to hold the toothbrush in the hand is in such a way that it is placed on the teeth at an angle of 45 degrees. The toothbrush should move slowly back and forth on the teeth, and on the molars, it should be drawn in a circle on the tooth. Pay attention to the backs of the front teeth. It is necessary to brush the texture of the tongue with a toothbrush.

Charters tooth brushing method (Charters)

In this method, the head of the toothbrush is placed at an angle of 45 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the tooth, so that the tips of the fibers are towards the crown and the side of the fibers are at the point of contact between the gum and the tooth. Then the fiber is slowly pressed into the interdental areas and while the fiber head is fixed in place, four gentle back-and-forth rotational or vibrating movements are performed and then the same movement is repeated, so that this action is repeated four times in each area.

Modified Stillman brushing method (Modified Stillman)

In this method, the head of the toothbrush is placed at an angle of 45 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the tooth, in such a way that the tip of the fiber is placed towards the tip of the root and part of the fiber is placed on the edge of the gum and the other part is placed on the collar area of the tooth. The side of the fiber is gently pressed towards the gum and then back and forth vibrating movements are made and at the same time the toothbrush is moved towards the crown. This movement is repeated five times in each area.

Bass brushing method (Bass)

In this method, the head of the toothbrush is placed at an angle of 45 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the tooth, so that the tip of the fiber is towards the tip of the root and at the junction of the gum and the tooth, and some of the fibers go into the groove of the gum. At the same time, the back and forth movements of the toothbrush are vibrated (the range of motion is limited and the toothbrush does not move).

Read more» Click on the given link to learn Differences between normal toothbrush and orthodontic toothbrush.

Roll brushing method (Roll)

In this method, the head of the toothbrush is at a 45-degree angle towards the end of the root, so that the fibers are placed at the junction of the gum and the tooth. At the same time, slight pressure is applied to the toothbrush so that the side of the fibers are pressed against the gums and teeth. Then the wrist is slowly rotated and a sweeping movement is made towards the crown. This movement is repeated five times in each area.

The correct method of brushing the teeth of the Modified Bass model 1 (Modified Bass 1)

In this method, in each area, first the bass method is performed with twenty vibration movements, and then immediately the roll method is performed with five rotation movements.

Brushing the teeth with the Modified Bass method 2 (Modified Bass 2)

In this method, bas and roll methods are performed together in each area. In this way, four vibration movements are enough and then a rotation movement of the roll is performed. This movement set is repeated five times.

Fones method of brushing (Fones)

In this method, the toothbrush moves in a circular motion on the tooth surfaces. The bristles of the toothbrush are slightly pressed to the tooth and repeated five times for each part (this method is among the less effective methods and is usually not recommended).

Horizontal method of tooth brushing (Scrub)

In this method, the bristles of the toothbrush are placed on the teeth and the toothbrush goes back horizontally in the direction of the dental system and comes back again (this method is widely used among people and for the chewing surfaces of the teeth)

In the studies that were conducted in the field of different brushing methods, there were many opinions among dentists about the type, duration and number of brushing times per day. Among the various methods, the modified Bess method was the most common method recommended by dentists.

Bes, Fons and horizontal methods are in the next ranks. In general, the large variety of methods recommended by dentists and the lack of agreement on a method in dental reference books is a worrying factor regarding unit decision-making in one of the most common recommendations of dentists.

Furthermore, the difficult change in brushing habits, especially in adults, should be an important factor in the decision of dentists to make changes in people's brushing.

Important recommendations regarding tooth brushing

Do not brush until half an hour after eating.

When you eat food and brush your teeth right after, the teeth are damaged. Maybe you are one of those who think

Immediately after eating, plaque and bacteria form on the teeth and gums. While at this time, the mouth PH level drops and the mouth becomes acidic.

At this time, if you brush your teeth, the enamel of the teeth will be worn. So the best thing is not to brush your teeth until 30 minutes after eating.

Don't focus on one point when brushing your teeth.

One of the common mistakes many people make when brushing their teeth is focusing on one spot. In this case, they neglect to clean other parts of their mouth and teeth. To avoid this mistake when brushing your teeth, you should apply it equally on all parts of your teeth so that all parts of your teeth are cleaned.

Brush gently.

An important recommendation for the correct way to brush your teeth is gentle movement. You should not brush your teeth violently. When you brush your teeth too hard, not only does the enamel wear away, but the gums also shrink and recede. Never rush when brushing your teeth. Instead of standing, you can sit on a chair and brush your teeth slowly. Also, the movement of the toothbrush on the teeth should be circular.

Spend 2 minutes each time you brush your teeth.
You should brush your teeth twice a day; Before sleeping and after waking up.

In these two times, you should spend at least 2 minutes brushing your teeth. Most toothbrushes on the market do not have timers, so it may be difficult to spend this amount of time at first. But you can set a time for yourself with your mobile phone.

Pay more attention to the molars.

When you are brushing, consider the back teeth and molars. Brush them more than other teeth. While many emphasize on their front teeth to become white and beautiful, they neglect the back teeth. Because of their uneven surface, damaged teeth are more susceptible to plaque and calculus and oral disease. Also, this surface is gnawed and food remains on them. Therefore, it is necessary to pay more attention.

How long should brushing teeth be per day?

Besides paying attention to the correct brushing method, you should keep in mind that every time you brush your teeth, it should take 2 minutes. It is necessary to brush twice a day, morning and night, and each side of the jaw should last 30 seconds. If you use electric toothbrushes that have a timer, but for manual toothbrushes, you should use a timer.

Frequently asked questions about the correct brushing method

Why is it important to learn the correct way to brush your teeth?

If brushing is wrong, plaque and tartar remain on the teeth, which leads to decay, gum disease, and gingivitis.

How many times a day and how long should you brush your teeth?

You should brush your teeth twice a day (morning and night) for about 2 minutes each time.

When should you brush your teeth after eating?

You should wait at least 30 minutes after eating; Because the mouth becomes acidic after eating and early brushing may damage the tooth enamel.

How should the angle and manner of placing the toothbrush on the teeth be?

The toothbrush should be placed at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to the surface of the teeth and gums, so that the fibers of the toothbrush affect the surface of the teeth and gums at the same time.

What movements are suitable for brushing?

Vibrating movements (gentle back and forth) or a combination of vibrating and rotating movements, with short amplitude, are usually more effective.

About the author:

In 1379, I was accepted in the national entrance exam of universities with a distinguished rank (5th rank) in the experimental field and started studying at Mashhad Dental School. During my academic period, I was one of the distinguished students of this faculty and I received many academic awards. And finally, in 2018, by defending my thesis on "The effect of bone growth factor on jaw problems", I managed to obtain a doctorate degree in dentistry and became a member of the country's medical system organization and the World Association of Orthodontic Specialists.