All you need to know about brushing your teeth well

modified bass technique

Most of you know how many times a day you should be brushing your teeth; morning and night, right? However, do you know exactly how to brush your teeth well? Many of us don’t know the best brushing techniques for our teeth and are therefore not brushing our teeth well at all. At TLC Dental, we advocate the best kind of dental care possible, which we believe, starts at home. Knowing the best way to brush will help keep your pearly whites looking healthier for longer. Here is the best brushing technique (modified bass technique) to use that will help to minimise plaque that can lead to tooth decay and gum disease.

The modified bass technique

There are a few brushing technique’s that dentists suggest, with the most common and most effective technique being the modified bass technique. This technique is recommended by most Dental Associations worldwide and is done as such;

  • Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gum line
  • Brush each tooth (or two to three at a time) using a gentle circular movement
  • Brush each tooth well and when finished, flick the toothbrush down the tooth, away from the gum line
  • Don’t forget to brush all of your teeth and all surfaces in this way – including the outer, inner and top surfaces of the teeth
  • Don’t forget to repeat the circular brushing movement over your tongue as well

Make sure you spend as much time brushing your molars as you do your front teeth and, of course, don’t forget to floss daily too. Watch this short YouTube tutorial on how to master the modified bass technique.

Best kind of brush?

The Australian Dental Association (ADA) says that it’s best to use “a soft-bristled toothbrush with a small head and a flexible neck because this will most effectively remove plaque and debris from your teeth, without damaging your teeth and gums and drawing blood.” At TLC Dental, we recommend getting a new toothbrush every three months as well.

Timing is everything

Brushing your teeth should take a whole 2 minutes to complete. Find your favourite song that’s approximately two minutes long and put it on play while you brush, or sing a verse of the happy birthday song in your head while you brush to make sure you are brushing for long enough.

Top 5 mistakes to avoid when brushing your teeth

By avoiding these five mistakes, you’ll be able to avoid many common and significant tooth decay and disease problems;

  1. Brush only once a day. Brushing once a day allows for plaque build up to occur leaving your mouth susceptible to disease and for problems like bad breath to occur
  2. Forgetting to floss. Flossing is as important as brushing and should not be forgotten. Flossing can help remove food particles and other debris trapped between the teeth and in the gums that cannot be removed by simply brushing.
  3. Not brushing for long enough. A quick brush is as good as no brush at all. You should spend the full two minutes brushing your teeth to get the maximum brushing benefits.
  4. Using the wrong brush. Using a hard brush or one that is too big or too small can be damaging to your gums and cause them to bleed. Using a soft-bristled brush that is not older than three months is best.

Avoid eating too many sugary foods or drinking too many sugary drinks. These types of foods can promote bacteria growth in your mouth and cause plaque decay as well. This is especially important for young toddlers and children.

For more information on the best brushing techniques for your teeth, and any other dental care information, contact TLC Dental today.

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