Brushing Techniques for Healthy Teeth

BRUSHING TECHNIQUE – FOR HEALTHY TEETH AND GUMS

Brushing of teeth is in our daily routine and is necessary for maintaining good oral hygiene, a healthy mouth and healthy smile.

Some recommendations for healthy oral health :

1. Brush your teeth twice daily with a soft-bristle toothbrush  The brush size and shape should be such that it reaches every area of the mouth.

2. We should change our tooth brush after every 3 month, as if the bristles are frayed,, it will not clean effectively.

3. The toothpaste should be fluoridated.

BRUSHING TECHNIQUE

1 BASS METHOD (or sulcus cleaning method)

It is used for removal of dental plaque underneath the gingival margins.

INDICATIONS- Patient for intraproximal areas,  periodontal involvement,  cervical areas

TECHNIQUE – The bristles are placed at a 45-degree angulation to the gingival and move in a small circular motion.. Strokes repeat around 20 times.. 

On the lingual surface of the anterior teeth,  the brush is inserted vertically,, and the heel of the brush is pressed into the gingival sulci and proximal surface at a a 45-degree angle.  The bristles are then activated.

Occlusal surface area area cleaned by pressing the bristles firmly against the pit and fissure and then activating the bristles.

ADVANTAGE – Removal of plaque, easy to learn

DISADVANTAGE–Time-consuming,  can harm gingival margins.

2 MODIFIED BASS TECHNIQUE

This method differs from the Bass technique in that it has a sweeping motion from the cervical to the incisal or occlusal surface.

INDICATIONS – Provide good oral hygiene

TECHNIQUE –It involves the vibratory and circular movement with the sweeping motion. The toothbrush is held at a a 45 - degree angulation.

Bristles are gently vibrated by moving the brushrush back and forth. The bristles are then swept over the sides of the teeth towards their occlusal surface in a single motion.

ADVANTAGE –  gingival and sulcus cleaning

DISADVANTAGE – Dexterity of wrist is required..

3 Still man TECHNIQUE 

Dental plaque removal from the cervical areas clean teeth and gingiva appropriately and also addresses areas with gingival recession and root exposure to prevent abrasive tissue destruction.

INDICATIONS – Clean gingiva and sulcus

TECHNIQUE –Bristles aree placed slightly on cervical areas and partly on the gingival;  bristles are activated in a back-and-d-forth movement. 20 strokes are applied and are repeated simultaneously on adjacent teeth.

ADVANTAGE –Excellent gingival and sulcus cleaning.

DISADVANTAGE – Time-consuming.

4 FONES METHOD/CIRCULAR/SCRUB METHOD

It is generally used in children or physically handicapped individuals and patientss who lack dexterity.

TECHNIQUE –The child is asked to draw a big circle in the air air using his/her whole arm;  the diameter of the circle is gradually reduced until small circle are not formed in front of the mouth.

The child is now ready to make circles on the teeth using the toothbrush, making sure that all the teeth and gums are covered.

ADVANTAGE –Easy to learn,  less time-consuming

DISADVANTAGE – The interdental area (area between two teeth) cannot be properly cleaned.

May also cause trauma to gingiva who use tooth brushes vigorously.

These are a few commonly used tooth brushing techniques, out of which the modified Bass technique is mostly recommended.