Do you really know how to use a toothbrush?

Although brushing your teeth may seem like a small thing, proper technique is crucial for oral health. Many people have been brushing their teeth for decades, but their methods may not be entirely correct.

Let me outline the core points of truly "using a toothbrush correctly," and you can see if you've done them all:

1. Four Core Elements: Time, Tools, Technique, and Maintenance

(1) Tool Selection

Choosing the Right Toothbrush and Toothpaste
Toothbrush:
Small head: Allows for flexible contact with all tooth surfaces, especially the back teeth.
Soft bristles: Soft bristles effectively clean without damaging gums and enamel. Hard-bristled toothbrushes are a common cause of gum recession.
Comfortable handle grip: Easy to control.
Electric or manual? Electric toothbrushes are generally more effective at removing plaque and reducing gingivitis, but a properly used manual toothbrush can clean just as well. The key is the method!

Toothpaste: Use fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride is the most effective ingredient for preventing cavities (tooth decay).

(2) Brushing Techniques

The Key is "Gingival Sulcus Cleaning"
Plaque most easily accumulates at the junction of teeth and gums (gingival sulcus) and between teeth. The goal of brushing is to remove plaque from these areas.
Recommended Method: Bass Brushing Technique

This is the most effective brushing method recognized by dentists.
Angle: Hold the brush bristles at a 45-degree angle to the teeth, aiming at the junction of teeth and gums.
Vibration: At the junction of teeth and gums, perform small, horizontal, back-and-forth vibrations, about the width of 2-3 teeth, at a fast frequency. Do not use large, sweeping motions!
Sweeping: After a few vibrations, rotate the brush head towards the occlusal (chewing) surfaces of the teeth and sweep them. Brush downwards for upper teeth and upwards for lower teeth.

Covering All Surfaces:
External & Internal Surfaces: Use a 45-degree angle vibration and sweeping method for both. Chewing surfaces: Point the bristles perpendicularly to the occlusal surface and brush back and forth in short, sweeping motions.
Inner surfaces of the incisors: Hold the toothbrush vertically and brush up and down with the tip of the brush head.

(3). Time and frequency

Frequency: Brush at least twice a day (once in the morning and once at night).
Duration: Brush for at least 2 minutes each time. You can use a timer, or many electric toothbrushes have a built-in timer function. Divide the brushing time evenly among the four quadrants (upper left, upper right, lower left, lower right), 30 seconds per area.

(4). Toothbrush maintenance and replacement

Rinsing and drying: After brushing, rinse the toothbrush thoroughly with running water, shake off excess water, and place it head-up in a well-ventilated area to prevent bacterial growth.

Regular replacement: Replace your toothbrush every 3 months. If the bristles are deformed or turned outwards, it's time to replace it.

2. Common Brushing Mistakes

Vigorous Horizontal Brushing:Brushing back and forth vigorously, like sawing, is a major cause of "wedge-shaped defects" (grooves at the neck of the tooth) and gum recession.
Insufficient Brushing Time:Rushing through the brush doesn't ensure thorough cleaning.
Brushing Only Visible Areas:Neglecting the inner surfaces of teeth and back molars.
Brushing Too Hard:Thinking that harder brushing will clean better actually damages teeth and gums.
Not Brushing the Tongue:The tongue harbors a large number of bacteria and is a major source of bad breath. Remember to use the tongue scraper on the back of your toothbrush or gently brush your tongue.

3. Don't Forget Your "Auxiliary Equipment"

Toothbrushes only clean 60%-70% of the tooth surface; the spaces between teeth are often missed. Therefore, dental floss or water flossers are essential supplements.
Dental floss: Use at least once a day, either before or after brushing, to remove plaque and food debris between your teeth.
Keep using dental floss to clean between your teeth.
Remember to replace your toothbrush every 3 months.