Brushing Technique

1. Hold Your Toothbrush at a 45-Degree Angle to Your Gumline

• Position the toothbrush so that the bristles are angled at 45 degrees toward the gumline, where your teeth and gums meet.

• This angle allows the bristles to reach under the gumline, where plaque and bacteria accumulate, helping to prevent gingivitis (early-stage gum disease).

• How to achieve this angle:

  • For upper teeth: Tilt the toothbrush downward so the bristles are angled toward the gums.

  • For lower teeth: Tilt the toothbrush upward so the bristles reach the gumline properly.

  • For inner front teeth: Turn the brush vertically and use gentle up-and-down strokes.

  • For molars: Maintain the 45-degree angle and use short circular or back-and-forth strokes.

• Avoid brushing flat against the teeth (0°) or scrubbing aggressively, as this misses plaque buildup at the gumline and can cause gum recession over time.

2. Use Gentle, Circular Motions

• Why circular motions? This technique helps lift and remove plaque instead of just spreading it around.

• Many people brush with back-and-forth scrubbing, which can erode enamel and cause gum damage.

• Instead:

  • Use small circular motions on each tooth.

  • If using a manual toothbrush, make gentle circles, ensuring the bristles reach the gumline.

  • If using an electric toothbrush, let the oscillating bristles do the work—hold it in place for a few seconds per tooth instead of manually moving it in circles.

3. Brush All Tooth Surfaces

To fully clean your teeth, focus on three main surfaces:

✔ Outer surfaces (front of the teeth):

• Follow the 45-degree angle technique and brush in small circular motions.

✔ Inner surfaces (back of the teeth):

• For front teeth: Turn the toothbrush vertically and use gentle up-and-down strokes to reach the back of the incisors.

• For molars: Maintain the angled brushing technique to remove hidden plaque.

✔ Chewing surfaces (top of the molars and premolars):

• Use short, gentle back-and-forth strokes to clean the deep grooves where food particles tend to get stuck.

✔ Gumline cleaning:

• Angling the brush at 45 degrees is crucial for cleaning under the gumline, reducing the risk of gum disease.

4. Brush for a Full 2 Minutes

• Most people brush too quickly (30-45 seconds), missing areas where plaque accumulates.

• Dentists recommend 2 minutes of brushing, broken down into:

  • Upper right quadrant (30 sec)

  • Upper left quadrant (30 sec)

  • Lower right quadrant (30 sec)

  • Lower left quadrant (30 sec)

• Use a timer, an electric toothbrush with a built-in timer, or play a 2-minute song to ensure you brush long enough.

5. Don’t Forget Your Gums

• Gums: The gumline is where plaque and bacteria gather, which can lead to gingivitis (early-stage gum disease).

• If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, a serious gum infection that can lead to tooth loss.

• Brushing properly stimulates blood circulation in the gums, keeping them healthy and firm.

• If you experience any of the following, you may be using too much force:
  Gum recession (your gums appear to be pulling away from the teeth).
  Tooth sensitivity (especially to hot or cold foods).
  Bleeding gums (a little bleeding can be normal initially, but persistent bleeding is a sign of overbrushing or gum disease).

• Inner Gumline:

  ✔ The inner gumline (facing the tongue) often gets neglected, so be sure to brush these areas as well.
  ✔ Use a vertical grip and brush up and down for better access.

6. Spit, but Don’t Rinse Immediately

• Avoid rinsing with water or mouthwash immediately after brushing.

• This washes away the fluoride from the toothpaste, reducing its ability to strengthen enamel.

• Instead, just spit out excess toothpaste and let the fluoride stay on your teeth longer for better protection.