How To Brush Teeth Correctly: A Key to Preventing Gum Disease

26 August 2024

How To Brush Teeth Correctly: A Key to Preventing Gum Disease

Let’s face it, brushing teeth is something we do without much thought—just a daily routine we’ve been following since childhood. But did you know that poor brushing and flossing habits are the number one cause of gum disease, one of the most common dental problems worldwide?

In fact, according to one source, gum disease currently affects 42% of people in the UK – some 25.7 million people!

The good news is that you don’t have to be part of that statistic. With the right approach, you can protect your teeth and gums, ensuring a healthy smile for years to come.

In this post, we’ll explore how to brush teeth correctly and why it’s crucial for preventing gum disease.

So, How Important Is Proper Brushing?

Brushing teeth is not just about keeping your breath fresh; it’s the first line of defence against plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on your teeth. When plaque is not removed effectively, it hardens into tartar, which can lead to gum inflammation, bleeding, and eventually gum disease.

Gum disease starts with gingivitis, a mild form of gum inflammation that can be reversed with good oral hygiene. However, if left untreated, it can progress to periodontitis. Unfortunately, periodontitis is a lot more complex (and expensive) to treat.

To put this into perspective, the Gov.UK website suggests that some level of periodontitis affects one-third of all UK adults. Moreover, in addition to periodontitis being the leading cause of tooth loss, scientists have discovered systemic links between poor oral health and problems like cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s and even, strokes.

As you can see, this small ‘thing’ that we do daily is very important if we want to protect our oral and overall health.

With this in mind, let’s take a look at exactly how to brush teeth correctly.

Choose The Right Toothbrush

There is a great discussion about electric vs manual toothbrushes and which is best. Indeed there is plenty of evidence to suggest that electric versions are better at removing plaque. However, the key is not about how many revolutions your brush does, instead it’s all about selecting the right brush.

As long as you choose a brush head that can easily access all areas of your mouth and ensure bristles are soft enough to be gentle on your gums, you should be okay. That’s a good starting point anyway.

Select The Right Toothpaste

Go to the toothpaste aisle in any store and you’ll be confronted by a seemingly endless array of products. Whitening toothpaste, toothpaste that gives you fresher breath, toothpaste for smokers and toothpaste for sensitivity but in reality, the only thing that matters when it comes to oral health is that it needs to contain sufficient fluoride.

Fluoride is important because it strengthens teeth and helps prevent tooth decay. While fluoride is found naturally in tap water, it’s only present at very low levels, so when it comes to oral health, we need a bit of a boost.

The question is… how much fluoride should your toothpaste contain ideally?

The Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust suggest anything over 1000 PPM for children or 1350-1500 PPM for children over 6 and adults, so it’s worth reading the small print on the back of the packet to make sure.

So now, that you’ve got your toothbrush and toothpaste nailed, let’s take a look at the actual technique of brushing teeth correctly….

1. Hold Your Brush at a 45-Degree Angle  – brushing involves holding your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gums. This angle allows the bristles to effectively remove plaque from both the surface of your teeth and just below the gumline. Ensure you brush gently in small, circular motions, rather than back and forth, to avoid gum damage.
2. Don’t Forget The Inner Surfaces – It’s easy to focus on the outer surfaces of your teeth, but the inner surfaces are just as important. Tilt your brush vertically and use gentle up-and-down strokes to clean the inner surfaces of your front teeth. For the chewing surfaces, short, sweeping motions are better.
3. Brush Your Tongue – Bacteria can accumulate on your tongue, leading to bad breath and contributing to gum disease. Use your toothbrush or a tongue scraper to gently clean your tongue, brushing from back to front.
4. Finally, Rinse Your Mouth and Toothbrush –After brushing, rinse your mouth with water or an antibacterial mouthwash to remove any remaining plaque or food particles. Also, make sure to rinse your toothbrush thoroughly to remove any toothpaste residue and bacteria. Store your toothbrush in an upright position and allow it to air dry.

Oh, and one more thing….

Brush For Longer Than You Think

There is growing evidence to suggest that longer is better when it comes to plaque removal. It’s well documented that the recommended time for brushing is two minutes, twice a day. Now, research suggests that three to four minutes is better.

So why is this?

Essentially plaque is made up of bacteria, fungi and viruses contained within a microbial film. Biofilms are incredibly sticky and can only be removed through meticulous brushing.

The problem is that most people tend to rush through brushing, often spending less than a minute on the task. So, to make sure you’re spending enough time, try using a timer or an electric toothbrush with a built-in timer.

The Key Takeaway

Having a good understanding of how to brush teeth correctly will set you in good stead for a lifetime of improved oral care and better overall health. By taking the time to brush properly, you’ll significantly reduce the risk of gum disease, ensuring a healthy mouth Essentially, oral health is a reflection of your overall well-being, so make proper brushing a priority every day.

If you want to know more about brushing or flossing techniques or are overdue a dental check-up, give our caring team at Cheadle Hulme Dental a shout.

As non-judgemental clinicians, we want what’s best for you and your oral health. We’ll take the time to answer any questions or concerns you have about your oral health and will even show you how to brush your teeth correctly to maintain a beautifully healthy smile for the long term.