ADC- Website - Expert Dental Insights and Tips | ADC Dental Blogs #BrushingADC- Website - Expert Dental Insights and Tips | ADC Dental Blogs #Brushinghttps://www.theadc.dental/blogs/tag/brushingTue, 05 May 2026 07:44:44 -0700http://zoho.com/sites/<![CDATA[Learn the Effective Brushing Techniques]]>https://www.theadc.dental/blogs/post/brushing-techniquesThe most commonly asked question to a dentist is how to do effective brushing? You should follow these instructions as they will help you effectively learn brushing technique.]]>

Properly brushing the teeth and care of gums should be integral part of one's daily oral hygiene routine. However the most commonly asked question to a dentist is how to effectively brush one's teeth? To precisely answer this query, you should follow these brushing instructions as far as possible as these instructions will help you effectively learn brushing technique. In case you experience any problems, you are requested to contact our front office immediately. 

brushing teeth at 45 degrees

Proper Tooth Brushing Techniques are Critical to Oral Health. Using proper tooth brushing technique, you can remove food debris and plaque, preventing the onset of Dental Caries and gingival problems such as gingivitis and periodontitis. Tooth brushing technique focuses on brush motions or movements:

Key Brush Motions

  • Hold the toothbrush parallel to your teeth and bristles towards the gums. The bristles must be placed partly over the cervical portion of the teeth and partly on the adjacent gingiva.
  • Tilt the brush at a 45-degree angle and gently move the bristles under the gumline.
  • Wiggle or vibrate the brush back and forth or use a small circular motion 15 to 20 times before moving on to the next area, using firm but gentle pressure and keeping the bristles under the gum tissue. The brush should be used to clean two to three teeth.
  • Brush the entire outer surface of the teeth, then repeat the process on the tongue side.
  • To brush the insides of the front teeth, hold the toothbrush vertically and use the bristles on the brush's toe, making sure to get under the gum tissue.
  • Brush the chewing surfaces of the molar teeth, including the tongue.
brushing technique

Brushing thoroughly around and under the gum line, where bacteria and plaque accumulate, is essential for preventing and controlling gum disease. This brushing technique is also beneficial for people with Gum disease. 

Indications:

  • This toothbrushing technique is recommended for all patients to remove bacterial plaque from areas directly beneath the gingival margin.
  • Exposed root surfaces, open interproximal areas, and cervical areas beneath the height of the contour of the enamel.
  • For patients who had periodontal surgery but did not recover immediately.

Brushing Technique for Patients with Braces

Patients who have fixed Orthodontic appliances and those who have recently undergone gum surgery should follow this technique. The brush is placed at a 49% angle to the long axis of the teeth in the opposite direction, and the bristles are directed coronally. The bristles point away from the gingiva towards the interproximal surfaces of the teeth after adaptation in place. After placing the bristles at the gingival margin, short back-and-forth vibratory strokes are given. The bristles of the brush are then pressed against the occlusal surfaces of the teeth, and pits and fissures are cleaned with a slight rotary motion.

Indications:

  • Using this brushing technique helps to clean the fixed orthodontic appliances.
  • It aids in the loosening of debris and bacterial plaque.
  • It massages and stimulates the gingiva at the margins and between the teeth.
  • This brushing technique is recommended after periodontal surgery.
  • This brushing technique is useful for removing bacterial plaque from the abutment teeth, under the gingival border of a fixed partial denture, and the undersurface of a helpful bridge.
  • This brushing technique is appropriate for cervical areas below the crown's contour height and the exposed root surface.


Brushing Technique for Patients with Braces

Watch a Video Tutorial on Water Flossing

Effective Brushing technique along with Water Flossing is important for removing plaque biofilm from tooth surfaces. You are requested to use an accurate brushing technique along with water flossing for maintaining good oral hygiene and preventing damage to the soft tissue surrounding the teeth.

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]]>Tue, 17 Jan 2023 15:50:46 +0530<![CDATA[Is Water Floss Better than Brushing?]]>https://www.theadc.dental/blogs/post/is-water-floss-betterMost people when asked to use Water Floss, the first Question asked is whether water flossing is an alternative solution to conventional flossing.]]>

Most people are well aware that two times a day brushing and flossing of teeth is highly recommended by Dentists. However, when we asks patients to use Water Floss, the first Question asked by many people is whether water flossing is an alternative solution to conventional flossing.

Flossing

Only Brushing the teeth (Not using Flossing in conjugation with Brushing) has often been found to be ineffective in removal of food or plaque that is in between the two teeth or below the gum line. Flossing is recommended as it is an affordable and easy way to remove plaque and food particles that a toothbrush is unable to reach.

The process of flossing involves uses a small piece of specialized waxed string that is passed in between each of the teeth. This string is then gently scraped up and down along the surface of the tooth to remove plaque and food particles off of the tooth and out from under the gums.

Is water flossing better?

Advantages

  • It is a very effective method.
  • It is economical
  • Easily available from any pharmacy.

    Disadvantages

    • Technique Sensitive
    • Difficulty to reach some areas of the mouth
    • Can cause bleeding or tear of gums if over pressure is used
    • Can lead to increased Tooth sensitivity
    • Difficult sometimes to handle
    • Handicapped people are unable to use.

      Flossing Technique

      • Flossing is a relatively simple process. Your dentist can be a great source for information on these procedures. Please do not hesitate to visit or ask your Dentist if you are unable to Floss or Need the Flossing technique training.

        For Flossing an Individual should

        • Cut a piece of Dental floss measuring approximately 18 inches in length and wind the ends around the middle fingers of both hand.
        • Grab the floss with pencil grip between the first fingers of both hands and the thumbs, leaving about 1-1.5 inches free floss between both the hands.
        • Tighten the Floss between both hands and gently use the index finger to place or guide the Dental floss between two adjacent teeth.  Once the Floss is placed between the two teeth use a gentle back and forth sliding motion along the surface of the tooth.
        • Gently along the surface of tooth and beneath the Gums you can now slide the Dental floss in up and down Motion without exerting any extra pressure.
        • You can start with the bottom front teeth and then move to the other side and repeat the procedure for the upper teeth.

      Water Flossing

      Water Flossing is also known as water Piking and is different to the conventional flossing explained above. In Water Flossing, a special device is used that directs a pressure stream of water between the two adjacent teeth and gums. Water Flossing uses the pressure of Water to remove the food and plaque deposited along the surface of teeth instead of surface scraping motion in conventional Floss.

      Advantages

      • Water Floss is easy to use,
      • Patients with braces and Dental Implants should mandatorily use Water Floss.
      • The pressure of water also improves and stimulates gum health

        Disadvantages

        • Water Flosser can be expensive.
        • Often require the use of Distilled Water

          Watch the video to understand how Water Flosser works. Click Here

          How to use Water Flosser

          It is important that all the patients and users read the instructions provided by the water floss manufacturers thoroughly before the use.

          Step by Step Process to use Water Floss are:

          • Most of Water Flosser Manufacturers provide 2-3 tips along with the Water Flosser.
          • Place a Single tip into the Device holder. Fill the reservoir of the device with Luke warm water and place it back.
          • Adjust the pressure of the water with Pressure control. It is highly recommended to start with low pressure and then move to the higher pressures if required.
          • Place the tip close to the junctional area of the two adjacent tooth surfaces with the lips closed and turn the device on.
          • Start with the Posterior teeth (Back Teeth). Gently move the tip of the device along the Gum Line.
          • You can pause the device and spit the extra water into the sink.
          • Once you have successfully water flossed all the teeth you can turn off the device, remove the tip, and then clean the device as per the instructions of the manufacturer.

              Comparison

              Often many patients ask which is better technique?

              Scientific Studies (Journal of Clinical Dentistry ) comparing the efficacy of Water floss technique against the Convention Floss  has been found to 22 percent more effective in Water Flossing. Scientific Studies have found 74.4 percent reduction in Plaque as compared to 57.7 percent with conventional Waxed Dental Floss. Studies have also indicated a greater reduction in the Gingivitis and incidence of Bleeding gums in patients using Water Floss.

              So for better Oral Hygiene the following best practices are highly recommended:

              • Twice a Day brushing
              • Flossing after Meals (Preferably Water Floss)
              • Visit the dentist regularly (Once in 6 Months)
              ]]>              Thu, 02 Jul 2020 15:50:00 +0530