Tooth Brushing Techniques

Tooth Brushing Techniques

Plaque control is defined as the removal of microbial plaque and prevention of its formation on teeth. Basically, there are two types of plaque control methods.

• Mechanical plaque control.
  • Toothbrushes.
  • Powered toothbrushes.
  • Interdental cleansing aids.
    • Interdental brushes.
    • Single tufted brushes.
    • Dental floss.

“The Role Of The Bass Technique In Preventing Gum Disease”

• • Wooden tips
  • Gum stimulator
  • Oral irrigation devices
  • Dentifrices
• Chemical Plaque Control.

“Risk Factors For Improper Tooth Brushing”

Stillman Modified Method of Tooth-brushing

• In modified Stillman method, brush is placed with bristle ends resting partially on the cervical portion of teeth and partially on the adjacent gingiva pointing in an apical direction and at an oblique angle of long axis of teeth.

“Understanding The Benefits Of Proper Tooth Brushing Techniques”

• Apply pressure against the gingival margin to produce a percepitable blenching.
• Then move the brush in 20 back and forth strokes while simultaneously moving it coronally along the attached gingiva and on gingival margin and tooth surface.
• A soft or medium multitufted brush should be used with this technique to minimize trauma to gingiva.
• To reach the lingual surface of maxillary and mandibular incisors the handle of the brush can be held in vertical position.
• The occlusal surface of molars and premolar are cleaned with the bristles placed perpendicular to the occlusal plane and penetrating into the grooves and interproximal embrasures.
• The modified Stillman method may be recommended for cleaning in areas with progressing gingival recession and root exposure to minimize abrasive tissue destruction.