Brushing techniques

1. Tooth Brushing
Methods
- Dr.Lana Michael

2. Why toothbrushing is necessary?
• Tooth brushing is an act of scrubbing
teeth with tooth brush equipped with
toothpaste.
Brushing teeth properly helps to
prevent:
• plaque build-up off of your teeth. Plaque
build-up is harmful because it can lead
to tooth decay

3. • helps prevent gum disease
• helps prevent bad breath

4. Instructions in brushing
• Selection of tooth brush: Soft bristles are to be chosen-hard and
medium bristles cause serious damage to gums
• Size: Should be smaller in size to get easy access to all the teeth

5. • Tooth paste: choose toothpaste with fluoride content.
• Amount of toothpaste used:

6. • Duration of brushing: 2-3 minutes twice
daily
• Remember not to press too hard on the
teeth and gums while brushing-brush
tongue and cheeks-helps to remove
bacteria
• Change brush every 3 -4 months
• Start from the last teeth covering three
tooth at a time-using 20 strokes in each
area

7. Types of tooth brushing techniques
• Horizontal scrub technique
• Fones method
• Modified Bass technique
• Modified Stillman method
• Charters technique

8. Horizontal scrub technique
• Move the brush back and forth on
the teeth in scrubbing motion
• This method is commonly used
• Not recommended because it is very
abrasive to the jaws –causes
gingival recession

9. Fones method
• Also known as circular or scrub method
• Moving the brush in circular motion
along clenched teeth
Indication:
• This technique is mostly taught to young
children

11. Modified Bass method
• Highly recommended
• Starting from the last tooth-move the bristles towards
the gums at 45 degree angle and placing the bristle
partly on the teeth and gums-vibrate the bristles with
slight pressure to vibrate the gums-sweep towards the
edge of the teeth-repeat for the inside surfaces of the
teeth
• For chewing surfaces use back and forth motion

13. Modified Stillman method
• Bristles are inserted gently
underneath the gums-vibrate the
bristles with slight pressure-sweep
towards the edge of the teeth-repeat
for inside surface of teeth-for
chewing surface gently use back
and forth motion
Indication:
• Indicated for people with continuous
receding gums

14. Charters technique
• The bristles are pointing towards the
45 degree to long axis of the tooth
• Sides of the bristles are flexed against
the gum
• Back and forth vibratory motion is
used to massage the gum
Indication:
• Indicated for people with fixed
prosthesis or orthodontic appliance

15. Conclusion
No matter what your age, you need to take care of your teeth and mouth. When
your mouth is healthy, you can easily eat the foods you need for good nutrition.
Teeth are meant to last a lifetime. By taking good care of your teeth and gums,
you can protect them for years to come
Along with brushing, clean around your teeth with dental floss to keep your
gums healthy.

16. Healthy Teeth, Healthy You!!!
THANK YOU