What Are Five Different Teeth Brushing Technique

Today we will talk about five different teeth brushing technique.

Number one: Modified Bass method.

It is the most common and useful brushing technique for everyone. It’s Modified Bass method or the sulcus cleaning method. This technique is useful in reducing the plaque as well as the gum inflammation. This modified bass technique is used as a routine oral hygiene measure or to clean around the teeth. The advantages of using this method is that you can clean better in the gaps between the teeth as well as the gum. And also it can massage and stimulate the gums. The drawback of using this technique is that the dexterity of the wrist is required.

Remember when you brush the teeth you need to clean the outer surface, the inner surface as well as the chewing surface of the teeth. Instead of brushing blindly, I recommend you to use your other finger to retract the cheek. Especially when you’re cleaning the outer surface area of your teeth. So you can see clearly where you brush your teeth and where are the areas that you need to brush.  

Firstly,keep the head of the toothbrush parallel to the outer surface area of the teeth. Brush head covers almost three to four teeth. Start from last back tooth of the jaw. Then place the bristles at the gum at an angle of 45 degrees with the toothbrush in small circular motion. Repeat around 20 times three teeth at a time. Remove any food debris that stuck in between the teeth. Then sweep the brush up towards the chewing surfaces. Slowly move in front to clean the adjacent front tooth.

Repeat this motion for the inner surfaces of the teeth as well. For the inner surface of the front teeth, insert the brush vertically and the heel of the brush press into the gum area at a 45 degree angle. Then give a small circular motion and sweep up as well. Lastly, use horizontal brushing motion on the chewing surface.

Number two: Modified Stillman method.

This brushing technique is suitable for cleaning the tooth surfaces as well as massaging gums. The drawback of this brushing method is time-consuming and improper brushing can damage the gums instead. Like the Bass method, the toothbrush is angled 45 degree to the tooth surface. Unlike the Bass method the bristles of the toothbrush are placed half in the tooth pocket and half on the gums. Then you need to give small circular motion around the teeth repeatedly and sweep up. Apply the same strokes on the inner surface of the teeth. Lastly, brush the chewing surfaces horizontally.

Number three: Charter’s method.

This brushing method is useful for individuals having gaps between the teeth, exposed root surfaces. Or those wearing braces or dentures that fixed to their mouth. And patients who have had gum surgery or patients with gum shrinkage at interdental areas. The advantages of using this method is that you can massage and stimulate the gums as well as clean around the brackets. The disadvantages could be the brush-ends do not engage well into the teeth to remove any food and bacteria that trap inside the pocket to clean.

Also, this brushing technique requires high dexterity. Firstly, you need to place the bristle at an angle of 45 degree to the gum with the bristles directed towards the chewing surface. The bristles are activated by mild vibratory strokes with the bristle in between the teeth. If you’re wearing braces, then you have five areas to brush. You need to angle the toothbrush 45 degree to the wire top and brush the top part. Then 45 degree to below the wire to brush the bottom of the wire and brackets. Lastly, the middle part of the wire. Clean the inner surfaces of the teeth with small circling motion then sweep up. Lastly, brush the chewing surface horizontally like other methods.

Number four: Fone’s technique.

This technique is suitable for young children, people with physical or emotional disability or anyone who lack dexterity. It is easy to brush and takes a short time to learn. Drawbacks of this method is that it could cause damage to the gums or having improper cleaning of the interdental areas.

For this method there are seven steps. You can ask your kid to stretch his or her parallel to the floor & draw big circles. Then gradually become smaller circle to in front of the mouth. Now the child is ready to make circles on the teeth with a toothbrush. Ask your child to bite teeth together. Insert the toothbrush into one corner of the mouth then giving small circular motion. Clean the outer surface of the upper and lower teeth together.

Continue this motion from the left side to the right hand side then brush the inner surface of the teeth too, giving small circular motion around all teeth. When you want to clean the inner surface of the front teeth, angulate the toothbrush straight. Next continue brushing the chewing surface horizontally. Last but not least brush your tongue and spit out your toothpaste.

Number five: brushing using an electric toothbrush.

Brushing your teeth with an electric toothbrush is slightly different. Since the toothbrush head vibrates or rotates on its own. Electric toothbrush is the same as a normal toothbrush but can be more useful for kids with stains, people who have difficulty brushing etc.

First, you need to prepare toothbrush by rinsing it little bit under the water. Then add suitable amount toothpaste be it smear or pea size. Beware of the toothpaste splashing around if you turn on the brush before you even place the toothbrush inside mouth. You should insert the toothbrush inside your mouth only then turn on the electric toothbrush.

Start to clean the upper back row of teeth, holding the head 45 degree angle to the gum line, applying gentle pressure and move methodically, one tooth at a time, buffing each tooth with the vibrating or rotating brush head. After cleaning the outer surface of the teeth, move on to clean the inner surface of the teeth using the same motion. Lastly, move the brush along the chewing surface to clean. Also you can use the electric toothbrush bristle to stimulate and clean your tongue slowly across your tongue surface and spit out the toothpaste, saliva or water into the sink.

Hope these brushing techniques above can help you to get healthier teeth.