What is the right time and method to brush your teeth?

By maintaining proper tooth brushing habits, one contributes toward the strengthening of their teeth and gums, and, in the long run, toward reducing the risk of chronic ailments. Most of us, however, get it wrong. At least, that’s what the dental experts say. In this article, you will find how to go about brushing your teeth correctly according to experts.

According to a Swedish study, only one out of ten persons would use the right technique for brushing teeth, whereas a study conducted by health insurance company Bupa in the UK reported that nearly 50 percent of people do not know how to brush their teeth correctly.

“Anyone who has not been taught the correct way to brush by their dentist is more likely to brush incorrectly,” says Josephine Hirschfeld, associate professor and expert in the department of dental restorative dentistry at the University of Birmingham in the UK.

“In my experience, in any country, a large proportion of the population will be made up of people who do not know how to brush their teeth correctly.” That does not come as a surprise, considering that today there is an immense body of knowledge-generating how to brush teeth; some information is eventually conflicting.

“I think this creates a lot of confusion for consumers and this confusion is exacerbated by the range of dental products available on the market,” says Nigel Carter, chief executive of the Oral Health Foundation in the UK. So what are most of us doing wrong, and what do we need to change in the daily routine to enable proper tooth brushing?

How to brush your teeth properly?

“Many patients think they only need to remove food stuck in their teeth, but that’s only half true. It’s much more crucial to remove bacteria from the skin of the teeth,” says Hirschfeld. These bacteria and other protozoa are always growing in every person’s mouth, forming a layer that can also be called ‘plaque’ in the common parlance.

This layer is made of approximately 700 types of bacteria. “They stick to the teeth as a layer of dirt and are very difficult to remove; they require whoring of the teeth,” says Josephine Hirschfeld. So the most critical place to remove them (bacteria) is not the teeth but the gum.

This is where bacteria penetrate easily. “For that matter, saying ‘brush your teeth’ is not a very important message. Rather, it should be ‘Think about brushing your gums.’ Because that way, you automatically clean your teeth.”

Related: Maximizing Oral Health: Strategies Beyond Brushing and Flossing

Bass Technique

According to the Bass method, you should hold the brush at a 45-degree angle to the teeth, moving in small back-and-forth motions across the gum line.

Stillman Technique

The Stillman technique is somewhat similar to the Bass technique but make sure not to exert too much pressure on the gums while brushing. However, Professor Josephine Hirschfeld states that pressure being applied on the gums while brushing should be around 150-400 grams.

However, the exact amount of pressure can be debated. The fact is, brushing while exerting too much pressure on the gums will also destroy them. Like in excessive brushing, using this kind of technique while using a brush with a firm bristle would also injure the gums.

When soft tissue is bruised through hard brushing, the gum can develop fissures that permit bacteria to enter the bloodstream. Those using manual brushes tend to brush harder than those using electric brushes; most electric brushes contain sensors which notify the user when excess pressure is being applied while brushing.

The technique for brushing one’s teeth.  This is a technique meant for children and physically challenged people in which the brush is kept at a 90-degree angle with respect to the surface of the teeth and gums moved in a circular motion over the teeth and gums.

How long should you brush for?

The American Dental Association, NHS, Indian Dental Association, Australian Dental Association, and many other national health organizations recommend brushing twice daily for two minutes. The thing is, only 25 percent of the people do all the things right-use the right technique and pressure for the right amount of time. Most of us are relatively poor at knowing how to spend those two minutes.

The very positive aspect about this is the fact that numerous easy solutions are available-for instance, an app on your phone or an electric toothbrush with a timer. Two minutes is thought to be sufficient time to reach almost all teeth and gums in the mouth; however, damaged gums may require a little bit longer.

“What’s key is that you brush thoroughly, including those areas that are tricky to reach with the brush. It can be easily more than two minutes,” Hirschfeld says. He explains, “The right timing hinges on your own situation. There is no time regulation for this, and there can be none because we are talking about the various conditions of teeth and mouth situations for each individual.”

How many times must you brush in a day?

From countries such as America, England, Australia, even dentists advise brushing well twice a day-one after waking up and just before sleeping. However, the Indian Dental Association recommends three times a day for your benefit-to include this extra brushing right after lunch. If an individual has not suffered from any strong definite oral problems, the advantages of trying to go beyond this window would be much less.

Related: The Best Electric ToothBrushes You Can Buy Right Now

Toothbrush: Before Eating or After

Is it better for you to brush your teeth first before having breakfast or to brush afterward?

In this instance, the majority of the population, from toothpaste companies to dental hospitals, professes to accept the beneficial reasons for brushing before breakfast rather than after breakfast, yet it is a topic of discussion among them. Whether one brushes after or before breakfast depends on what the person eats and when.

The biggest disadvantage of brushing one’s teeth after breakfast may be that of having to wait for a little while between eating and brushing. About 60 minutes after eating is when the American Dental Association usually recommends brushing one’s teeth.

“The acids in food weaken the top layer of teeth for a while,” continues Hirschfeld. “During this time, the amount of calcium and phosphate in the teeth decreases, but after a while, those minerals are replenished by saliva.”

More importantly than brushing before or after breakfast is brushing just before going to bed. “Your saliva is a natural protective system for your teeth. Its flow decreases at night. So it’s very important to brush your teeth properly before going to bed,” points out Nigel Carter.

What kind of brush to use?

Semi-hard brushes are good for adults, and the toothpaste should be one that does not contain small abrasive particles. Small brushes help effectively clean the whole inside of the mouth, points out Professor Hirschfeld. Also, always replace the brush before it becomes worn.

In South Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, natural woods such as Miswak are also being utilized for effective teeth cleaning in cavity or caries prevention. Notably, however, improper use may harm the gums. Electric toothbrushes do better in cleaning the teeth; however, they also risk cleaning effectiveness due to the cost of maintenance. Electric toothbrushes exert less pressure due to vibration and also provide signals when excessive force is applied by the user.