Correct method of tooth brushing is important to remove the food particles or oral debris and dental plaque which are the key source for causation of dental caries. One needs to choose a tooth brush which has a sufficiently long, flexible and non slippery handle giving good grip to the palm and fingers to hold. It is important to select a brush with small head as this size helps
to approach the inaccessible areas of the mouth. The head portion of the tooth brush should have multi tufted bristles which are soft; round ended and made of nylon. As this type of bristles are found to be not harming to the tooth surface and the gums. If one chooses a hard and sharp or rough ended bristles it will abrade the tooth surface and results in loss of enamel layer thus causing sensitivity of teeth. Apart from this, it will also lacerate or cause micro cuts over the gums leading to chronic irritation of that tissue. Such type of damage will further increase the plaque accumulation and tooth destruction.
It is always better to choose a less abrasive, fluoride containing tooth paste as fluoride has got cavity prevention effect. However, consult your dentist before you choose a tooth paste. The tooth paste can be of three types: 1) medicated 2) cosmetic or 3) regular tooth paste. A medicated tooth paste generally contains specific pharmacological agents like anti tartar agents, anti plaque or desensitizing agents. Cosmetic tooth pastes are meant for improving the aesthetics of the teeth for the beautiful appearance of the individual. These are generally tooth whitening pastes. Medicated and cosmetic tooth pastes should be used only under the prescription of dentist and should be discontinued after the prescribed duration. However, regular tooth pastes are meant for daily use and there are many commercially available pastes and there is no need for its termination of use.
Before the start of brushing, always rinse your mouth thoroughly with plain water. Then take your tooth brush and wet the bristles of the brush with running water otherwise, if the bristles are dry, they tend to cause more abrasive and damaging effect over the tooth surface. Now, place sufficient quantity of tooth paste over the bristles. Next hold the middle portion of your tooth brush handle with palm and finger grip and move it inside your mouth. Later, tilt the head of the tooth brush at 45 degrees angle with the bristle facing towards the gums. Once, the head is properly angulated the bristles should come in contact with the tooth surface and the gums. A small headed tooth brush can cover at least two to three teeth at a given time. Then, give 3 to 4 gentle back and forth movements over those covered teeth and later slowly swipe the bristles from the gum surface towards the chewing surface of the teeth. It is important to note that the brush head should be held horizontally for cleaning except for the inner or the lingual surface of the upper and lower anterior or front teeth where it should be held vertically. Brush head should be held horizontally over the chewing or the occsual surface of the teeth and 3 to 4 back and forth movements should be given. Like this all the teeth and all its surfaces should be cleaned.
This method of tooth brushing is found to be more effective in removing the dental plaque thus preventing the cavity formation.