Toothbrushing Technique: Tips for Effective Oral Hygiene
To maintain proper oral hygiene, it is essential to know the proper brushing technique and choose a good toothbrush. Focusing on the areas most prone to plaque and food debris build-up, such as interdental spaces, molar and premolar pits and fissures, and the gum-to-tooth margins, will help prevent caries and gingivitis.
In the following, we will explain how to carry out brushing with these specific areas in mind:
- Gum-tooth margins: Performs a gentle sweep of the gum towards the tooth with slight vibrations. This technique effectively removes bacterial plaque accumulated in this area.
- Pits and fissures: Brush all chewing surfaces of molars and premolars to ensure thorough cleaning in these food and plaque retentive areas.
- Interdental areas: Use dental floss to clean interdental spaces. If the spaces are wide, interdental brushes are often more effective due to their different sizes.
For patients with fixed prostheses, such as bridges, crowns and implants, irrigators are very useful tools. These pressurised water devices help to remove food debris and bacteria under the prosthesis.
Time spent brushing:
Spending at least 3 minutes brushing is crucial to properly remove plaque and maintain good oral health. This time ensures a thorough brushing of all sides of the teeth for optimal cleaning.
Manual or electric toothbrush?
The choice between a manual and an electric toothbrush will depend on a number of factors. While the manual toothbrush can be effective with proper technique, the electric toothbrush offers certain advantages, especially for those who have difficulty with manual brushing due to age or reduced dexterity.
Advantages of the electric toothbrush:
- Built-in timer to help you stick to the recommended brushing time.
- Movements and vibrations that improve brushing efficiency.
- Some models include irrigation, especially useful for prosthetic areas.
It should be noted that interdental areas will still require manual cleaning, as no toothbrush will have access to reach these areas optimally.
