Brushing Tips From The Experts
Brushing is an essential part of the tooth-cleaning process. Brushing removes plaque from:
- the chewing surfaces
- the cheek and tongue sides of teeth
- at the gumline, where periodontal disease often begins
For the back teeth, hold the brush at a 45 degree angle in relation to the gumline (Step 1). Use short, circular strokes as you move the brush at the junction of the gums and teeth. Brush the chewing surfaces of these teeth by holding the brush parallel to the surface of the teeth and brushing back and forth.
For the tongue side of the front teeth, hold the brush so that the bristles at the top of the brush contact the gums at a 45 degree angle (Step 2). Again, use short, circular stokes to clean the teeth. For the cheek side, hold the brush from the side at a 45 degree angle and use short, circular strokes (Step 3).
You can also brush the surface of your tongue to remove the bacteria and debris that reside on the surface.