Recent
dental research says, people are brushing their teeth but they are not
brushing correctly or for long enough so lets brush up on our technique.
Regular
brushing is necessary to reduce the build up of plaque.
Brush
Up
A
toothbrush is used to remove plaque from the outside and inside surfaces
of a tooth.
General
Rules
It
is really important to brush right up to the gum line.
Teeth should be brushed individually, using a soft toothbrush, with
small strokes. Hard brushing can wear grooves in the enamel.
Teeth must be brushed twice a day for three minutes each time.
5
easy steps to proper brushing. | |
1.
Place your toothbrush next to your teeth
so that it rests on the gums at an angle of 45 degrees. Tiny circular
movements of the brush clean the surface of the teeth from all
directions. | |
2.
Begin cleaning around the outside and the
inside of your top teeth. Move the toothbrush from the gums towards
the edge of teeth to brush plaque away from the gum line. | |
3.
Do the same with the lower teeth- make sure
you clean the outside and the inside surfaces. | |
| 4.
Clean the biting surfaces of your back teeth
with a gentle scrubbing motion. |
5.
Work the bristles into the gaps between
the teeth. |
After
brushing use dental floss to complete your dental hygiene routine. | |
FLOSSING A
toothbrush will not remove plaque from between the teeth. Dental floss is needed to clean between teeth. Make it part of
your daily brushing routine. | |
1.
Break off about 40cm of dental floss and
wind the ends around your index fingers. 2.
Press the floss between your fingers and
your thumbs to support it. 3.
Ease the floss between your teeth using
a gentle back and forth movement. 4.
Don't stop brushing or flossing if your
gums bleed, it is a sign to do it more rather than less! 5.
Your gums may feel sore for a few days but
will soon be all right. |
To
help you develop a good brushing and flossing technique book an
appointment with the hygienist at your dental practice and do
it right! |