Tooth Brushing Techniques: How To Keep Your Teeth Healthy, Shiny, and Clean
You’re brushing your teeth when it hits you — are you even doing it right? You think it’s supposed to be two minutes, twice a day… or is it one? Suddenly, you’re not so sure.
Surprisingly, many people have never learned how to brush their teeth properly. Luckily, help is here. There are proper ways to brush your teeth, and we’re here to improve your brushing game with simple tips to guide your routine.
We’ll explore the five top tooth brushing techniques, address some of the most common questions we get about proper brushing, and let you know the best place to get dental care in Portland.
Table of Contents
- 5 Common Tooth Brushing Techniques
- What Is the Bass Technique for Tooth Brushing?
- Commonly Asked Questions About Tooth Brushing Techniques
- Is There a ‘Correct’ Tooth Brushing Technique?
- Discover the Most Effective Tooth Brushing Techniques at Mint Dental Works
5 Common Tooth Brushing Techniques
Brushing your teeth is essential, but are you doing it the right way? The goal is to clean thoroughly without harming your gums or other sensitive areas. With the right techniques and habits, you can keep your mouth healthy and your smile strong. There are good practices and a variety of tooth brushing techniques that can optimize your oral health.
At Mint Dental Works in SE Portland, our professional staff is happy to perform your next deep dental cleaning and teach you proper brushing techniques during your visit. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
What Is the 3-3-3 Rule for Brushing Teeth?
The 3-3-3 rule is a simple formula that ensures you always clean your teeth after eating. It’s called the 3-3-3 rule because there are three simple parts to remember, each including the number 3. Brush your teeth:
- 3 times per day
- Within 3 minutes of having a meal
- For at least 3 minutes each time
The biggest advantage of the 3-3-3 rule—and the reason it’s recommended by many dentists—is that it quickly eliminates food residue from teeth after every meal, preventing the buildup of plaque.
The largest disadvantage is that brushing your teeth within three minutes of a meal is not always possible.
It also doesn’t explain how to brush properly, so if you like the idea of the 3-3-3 rule, combine the principle with one of the proper tooth brushing techniques discussed below.
What Is the Charter Brushing Technique?
The Charter tooth brushing technique involves:
- Pointing the bristles at a 45-degree angle towards the chewing surface
- Gently vibrating the brush with small back-and-forth or circular motions
- Focusing on cleaning the areas between teeth and around orthodontic appliances
Dentists recommend this method for individuals with spaces between teeth, gum recession, or orthodontic appliances.
Charter brushing requires a very methodical brushing technique across all tooth surfaces. It is one of the best ways to clean teeth as deeply as possible without causing gum damage or negatively impacting orthodontic appliances.
The downside is that it’s hard to implement this method correctly without being taught.
What Is the Stillman Technique?
The Stillman brushing technique involves:
- Placing the toothbrush bristles at a 45-degree angle toward the gums, with the bristles on both the gums and on the tooth
- Using short, back-and-forth strokes to remove plaque and stimulate the gums
This method effectively removes plaque above and below the gum line and stimulates the gums. A modified version of the Stillman technique for people with gum recession involves rolling or brushing the bristles away from the gums, which avoids direct stimulation of sensitive or damaged gum tissues.
A potential disadvantage of the Stillman method is that applying too much pressure or using a toothbrush with medium or stiff bristles can damage gum tissues.
What Is Leonard’s Brushing Technique?
The Leonard tooth brushing technique involves:
- Holding the bristles at a 90-degree angle to the tooth surface
- Using gentle, vertical motions
This method is particularly effective, often recommended for children, and is also sometimes referred to as the “vertical brushing method.”
The main advantages of the Leonard method are that it’s straightforward and great for kids who still have their baby teeth. Because it’s simple, kids can master it and easily participate in oral care, while an adult ensures proper technique.
This method is not generally recommended for adults because it’s inefficient at cleaning between teeth and below the gum line.
What Is the Bass Technique for Tooth Brushing?
The Bass brushing technique involves:
- Angling the toothbrush bristles at a 45-degree angle toward the gum line
- Gently vibrating the brush in short, circular motions to remove plaque and bacteria from under the gum line
The Bass technique is similar to the Stillman technique but uses circular motions instead of back-and-forth. It’s great for keeping the gum line free of plaque and debris, and circular motions also work well for build-up on the entire tooth surface.
The Bass technique is highly recommended among dental professionals. However, it is important to learn how to use this technique properly to avoid damaging your gums by brushing too hard or using a brush with hard bristles.
At Mint Dental Works, we will gladly explain this tooth brushing technique and whether it is the best option for you.
Commonly Asked Questions About Tooth Brushing Techniques
Is There a ‘Correct’ Tooth Brushing Technique?
The best method for brushing your teeth varies from individual to individual. Your mouth is unique, and your teeth and gums should be cared for with tooth brushing techniques that benefit your specific needs.
The commonalities among techniques recommended by dental professionals include:
- Consistent brushing, at least 2 times a day
- Taking time to brush properly for at least 2 minutes
- Paying special attention to areas between teeth and along gum lines
- Removing all plaque and buildup from tooth surfaces
- Applying gentle pressure to avoid damaging gums, while consistently stimulating them to keep them healthy
Techniques vary from there based on your specific needs. Here are some general guidelines for the top recommended methods for different situations:
- Children with their first set of teeth: Leonard’s method
- People with lots of spaces between teeth: Charter method
- People with orthodontic appliances: Charter method
- People with gum recession and damage: Modified Stillman or Charter method
- People with healthy gums: Bass or Stillman method
Dental professionals also stress the importance of flossing in addition to proper brushing to adequately clean the spaces between your teeth.
Can I Just Brush Back and Forth?
It’s not recommended.
Dental professionals stress that brushing back and forth is not effective at removing plaque and can damage gums.
Instead, use a combination of small circular motions.
To ensure you’re using the proper brushing technique for your teeth, talk to your provider at your next tooth cleaning with your SE Portland dentist, Mint Dental Works.
What Tooth Brushing Technique is Detrimental?
The best way to avoid damaging your teeth is to brush gently and thoroughly, covering all tooth surfaces and gum lines. Brushing too hard can cause gums to recede and gum sensitivity.
Similarly, using a toothbrush with hard or rigid bristles can damage gums and even break down tooth enamel if you scrub too vigorously. Brushing teeth correctly is about consistency and utilizing proper techniques.
Is It Possible To Brush My Teeth Too Much?
Brushing your teeth too much is not harmful per se, but you can definitely brush too hard. Brushing longer than two or three minutes isn’t harmful as long as you use gentle pressure.
Many dentists recommend brushing with your non-dominant hand. It can be easy to overdo it with your dominant hand, but your non-dominant hand will give you an idea of what gentle, yet firm, pressure feels like.
How Do You Make Tooth Brushing Fun for Kids?
Kids love playing games and using their imaginations, which is why pediatric dentists recommend making tooth brushing fun for them.
Here are some ideas:
- Play a 2-minute song your kid loves while brushing and have them brush until the song ends.
- Brush your teeth together and take turns copying each other’s technique. You can “check” for thorough brushing while praising your child for a job well done.
- Encourage your child to “chase” an imaginary germ or cavity around their mouth with the toothbrush until they “catch it” by fully cleaning every tooth.
- Start a sticker chart or board and give a sticker every time they do a great job brushing.
Model healthy oral hygiene habits for your kids and make it something the family does together until they’re big enough to do a thorough job independently. Many dental professionals suggest this transition happens sometime between the ages of six and eight.
Discover the Most Effective Tooth Brushing Techniques at Mint Dental Works
Good oral hygiene is a healthy practice, but did you know it can save you thousands of dollars over a lifetime by avoiding costly dental work necessitated by improper tooth brushing?
Reach out to the team at Mint Dental Works to schedule your next dental check-up and cleaning. While you’re here, we will be delighted to review proper tooth brushing techniques for the whole family.
It’s never too late to learn the right way to brush and care for your teeth!
The content in this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.