Why should you brush your teeth?
Brushing your teeth is essential to prevent cavities and maintain good oral health.
Tooth brushing tips
When we eat, the bacteria in our saliva accumulate on our teeth, forming dental plaque. If this plaque is left partially or completely in place, it will convert sugars into acid more effectively during subsequent meals, attacking the teeth and gradually leading to cavities.
Over time, plaque hardens into tartar, which can cause gum problems. To prevent this, it is essential to remove dental plaque by brushing your teeth three times a day and performing a thorough cleaning once a day using dental floss.
If you brush without a specific technique—such as using horizontal back-and-forth motions on the outer surfaces of your teeth—you may be ineffective and risk damaging your gums and tooth roots.
Brushing equipment
At D1 Dental Concept, we recommend using a soft or ultra-soft toothbrush to protect the gums and allow the bristles to gently adapt to the contours of the teeth.
Regarding toothpaste, for adults, we advise using a standard fluoride toothpaste with a Relative Dentin Abrasivity (RDA) below 80 to prevent excessive enamel wear. However, this information is not always provided by manufacturers. If you need more details, various consumer organizations have tested and evaluated toothpastes available on the market.
Important for children: The fluoride content in toothpaste should be appropriate for their age.
- For children under 6 years old, use a children’s toothpaste.
- For toddlers, apply only a small amount of toothpaste on the brush.
For children
Brushing teeth should be part of the daily routines and habits that structure a child’s day.
We recommend introducing a toothbrush as soon as the first teeth appear. You can even place multiple toothbrushes in the baby’s environment to help them become familiar with the object.
Young children generally cannot brush their teeth effectively on their own and will need parental assistance. A common benchmark is that they may be able to do it independently once they can tie their shoes, though this milestone varies from child to child.
Even after they start brushing on their own, to ensure effective cleaning, we recommend that at least one daily brushing session be performed or supervised by a parent.
Tooth brushing techniques
Caution learning a new brushing technique can take some time at first. Don’t get discouraged! We describe two methods here: the first is simpler, while the second is slightly more advanced. Both dental arches should be brushed separately, with the mouth open.
For both techniques:
- Apply toothpaste to the brush and begin by brushing the chewing surfaces of the back teeth using a gentle back-and-forth motion to distribute the toothpaste evenly.
- To ensure no area is missed, follow a systematic brushing pattern. For example, start on the upper arch, brushing the outer surfaces from right to left. Then, brush back from left to right on the inner surfaces. Repeat the same process for the lower arch. Finally, don’t forget to brush the back surfaces of the last molars.
The Rolling Stroke Technique
On the outer surfaces of all teeth and the inner surfaces of the back teeth, place the bristles of the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle at the junction between the gum and the tooth. Then, use a sweeping motion from the gumline toward the tips of the teeth.
Repeat this movement 3 to 4 times in each area. Brush systematically along the entire dental arch, moving the brush one to two teeth at a time.
For the inner surfaces of the front teeth, position the toothbrush vertically and brush from the gum toward the tooth in the same sweeping motion.
This technique is recommended for both adults and children.
The modified bass technique
Place the bristles of your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle at the junction between the gumline and the tooth. Without moving the brush, perform small, circular massaging motions. This movement helps dislodge plaque within the gum sulcus.
Next, use a sweeping motion from the gumline toward the tip of the tooth, similar to the Rolling Stroke technique. This method is highly effective but requires greater precision and patience. It is important to stay motivated and avoid rushing through the process.
Located at the gates of Lausanne, the D1 Dental Concept team welcomes you in comfortable and modern premises, just 3 minutes from the Blecherette highway exit. The building features indoor parking.
