Dentists recommend brushing their teeth after each meal or at least two to three times a day. The most important brushing is done before going to sleep, because during sleep, the movements of the tongue and the production of saliva decrease, and this favors the appearance of bacterial plaque.
Brushing teeth, therefore, should become a habit, and the technique used to remove dental plaque is vital, since if brushing is not suitable does not meet its purpose. An example of incorrect brushing is to move the brush vigorously from side to side. Although it seems the simplest way to brush your teeth is not effective, because it does not remove plaque from the entire dental surface, but it drags on the teeth and can also damage the enamel of the teeth and irritate the gums.
Techniques for brushing your teeth well
There are various techniques of brushing, and each person should choose the one that is most comfortable and effective, taking into account that it is essential to perform all movements with the utmost thoroughness and rigor, and for sufficient time, since it depends on the Correct removal of plaque and, therefore, oral health.
Modified Bass technique: consists of placing the toothbrush with an angulation of 45 with respect to the major axis of the tooth, and perform vibration movements for several seconds for each group of teeth. This technique is, moreover, the most appropriate for patients with periodontal problems.
Scrubbing or horizontal technique: it is the most recommended for children, because of the marked dental anatomy they present, and because it is simple to start using the toothbrush. In this technique horizontal movements are used.
Circular technique: it is intended for the little ones because of their lack of skill to handle the brush. The aim is to perform wide circular movements with the child’s mouth closed, moving the brush from the edge of the upper tooth to the lower tooth. This removes the plaque and massages the gums.
It is necessary to brush the teeth after each meal, for at least two minutes (better if they are three), and making all the movements correctly, so that the brushing is effective. At night, before bedtime, the brushing should be exhaustive, since it is when there is more risk of bacterial proliferation and, therefore, of caries.
It is advisable to also brush the tongue and the palate, as well as massage the gums, to activate the blood circulation and to favor the elimination of the rest of foods that have been able to accumulate between tooth and gum.