General Tooth Brushing Techniques For Manual and Electric Tooth Brushings

Brushing with a Manual Toothbrush – MOST IMPORTANT is to remember, NO up and down movements and NO scrubbing around the gumline.

The reason why, is you will overbrush and wear away the gum tissue leading to gum recession. With recession comes root exposure and with root exposure comes sensitivity.

Another general rule to remember is, “The smaller the toothbrush head, the better”. With the smaller head you will be able to reach and clean your upper molars more thoroughly, as well as the back of the lower anterior teeth. Plus, the smaller head toothbrushes are less expensive, so why not save yourself a few pennies aswell!

Always brush the 2 arches or teeth separately, uppers then lowers. And remember, gumline is where plaque accumulates the most, so, start with the Upper Right Hand Side and place your toothbrush at a 45 degree angle towards the gumline. Then with circular motions sweep two teeth at a time and continue all the way around, to the Upper Left Hand Side.  Next brush the top of the crowns of all upper teeth with gentle but thorough pressure, then switch to the inside of the upper teeth. Again, start with the Upper Right Hand Side, place your toothbrush at about 45 degrees angle towards the gumline and with circular movements sweep two teeth at the time and continue all the way to the Upper Left Hand Side.

Then, it’s the same process for the lowers, apart from the back of Lower anterior teeth, around this particularly area plaque accumulates very quickly and if not removed, it calcifies with salvia, this is why it is very important to change from horizontal to vertical toothbrush position when cleaning behind lower anterior teeth.

Brushing with an Electric Toothbrush – I am a big fan of an Oral B Electric Toothbrush, there is a wide range to suit most budgets.

I would recommend though, that you purchase one with the pressure regulating indicator and I believe this comes on all Oral B toothbrushes from series 2000 upwards. 

The Pressure Regulation indication is very important, it indicate when you are brushing to aggressively and saves your gums from receding by flashing a red light when you apply too much pressure while brushing.

These brushes are extremely easy to use.  Start on the outer surface Upper Right Hand Side, place your Electric toothbrush at about 45 degree angle towards the gumline. Let the toothbrush do its job, no need for extra movements. One tooth at the time all the way to Upper Left Hand Side. Next brush the the crowns of all upper teeth, then switch to the inside of the upper teeth. Again start with the Upper Right Hand Side, place your toothbrush at about 45 degrees angle towards the gumline and continue all the way to the Upper Left Hand Side.

Repeat this process for the lowers. 

To help, your electric toothbrush has a 2 minute timer, with a handy 30 second warning function to help you pay equal attention to the ‘four’ stages of your brushing routine.