Making Brushing Fun

Brushing Basics

Why do we brush our teeth?

Brushing your teeth is one of the most effective ways of removing plaque from the exposed surfaces.

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What's the best kind of brush to use?

                      

Contrary to what you might think, a gentle brushing with a soft-bristle toothbrush is just as effective (and less damaging!) than a vigorous scrubbing with a stiff-bristle toothbrush. Your tooth enamel is relatively thin. Years of aggressive brushing can begin to wear away the enamel and make the teeth sensitive. Remember, the enamel on your teeth does not contain nerve fibres but the dentine layer underneath does. Brushing too hard can also damage your gums.

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What is the best way to brush?

There are different styles of tooth brushing. The important thing to remember is that effective brushing cleans every exposed tooth surface in a gentle, massaging motion. How long do you take to brush your teeth? Most people think they brush for at least a minute or two but in reality they brush for 30 seconds or less. Time yourself and see how you do. An effective brushing should take 2 to 3 minutes.

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How do I brush my Teeth?

• Place your toothbrush at a 45 degree angle against the gums.

• Move the brush back and forth gently in short (tooth-wide) strokes.

• Brush the outer tooth surfaces, the inner tooth surfaces and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.

• Use the "toe" of the brush to clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, using a gentle up-and-down stroke.

• Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen your breath.

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