Proper Teeth Brushing Technique

At Toothworks, we believe teeth brushing is important in preventing tooth decay and gum disease. Our dentists at Toothworks Richmond-Adelaide Dental explain the proper techniques for brushing your teeth and why it's so important to follow at home. 

Preventive hygiene is important for your oral health. This includes attending regular cleanings and exams at your dentist's office, as well as practicing good oral health care at home with regular brushing and flossing. 

Thorough teeth brushing is important for preventing tooth decay and gum disease. It helps to remove bacteria that can cause tooth decay and plaque that can cause gum disease.

Here, our dentists break down proper brushing techniques. 

Proper Brushing Techniques

Clean every surface of every tooth in your mouth - the chewing surface, the cheek side, and the tongue side.

Brush in a sweeping motion at a 45-degree angle. Use a downward sweeping motion for the upper teeth and an upward sweeping motion for the lower teeth. Brush only back and forth on chewing surfaces.

How Often to Brush

Ideally, you should brush after every meal but wait at least 30 minutes after your meal before brushing. At the very least, brush twice a day and always before you go to bed. 

How Long to Brush

Don't rush it - A thorough brushing should take at least two minutes, but no longer than four minutes. You can always try timing yourself to make sure your brushing routine is long enough. 

Using the Right Brush

Use a soft brush with rounded bristles that allow you to reach your back teeth.

There are many different brush shapes and sizes, so ask your dentist to suggest the best one for you.

What Happens if You Don't Brush?

Our Toothworks Richmond-Adelaide Dental dentists have some bad news for people who believe they can go without brushing their teeth. Brushing your teeth at least twice a day is recommended because the consequences of not brushing can be severe. Here's a quick rundown of what can happen if you don't brush your teeth.

• Stained teeth - This is especially true if you drink coffee, wine, or smoke cigarettes.
• Tooth decay - Plaque forms on your teeth if you don't brush them, and it erodes the enamel. This causes bad breath and, in the long run, can lead to major issues that necessitate crowns and root canals.
• Gum disease - Also known as periodontal disease, this occurs when the bacteria in plaque cause swollen and bleeding gums.
• Long-term health problems - Periodontal disease is a likely outcome of not brushing one’s teeth, and periodontal disease has been associated with higher risks of kidney disease, dementia, and certain types of cancers.

For more brushing techniques, contact our dentists at Toothworks Richmond-Adelaide Dental. Or find a Toothworks location near you.