When explaining to adults about brushing their teeth it mostly comes down to someone’s personal preference. However, there are some techniques and parts that are highly recommended. The duration for brushing is recommended for 2 minutes and to brush with gentle strokes. One must be sure to be diligent while brushing by covering every surface of the tooth and their restorations. The gumline is very important to stimulate and clean while brushing, but one must be very careful not to be rough and damage the gingiva.
This is why it is recommended to use a toothbrush with soft bristles. One of the other reasons to use a soft bristle toothbrush is because the toothbrush has a better chance of removing plaque by being able to flex and fit into hard to reach areas. Another recommendation for selecting a toothbrush is to pick a handle long enough to brush the back teeth, so one does not become complacent with skipping them during brushing. Pick a toothbrush with a small enough head so one can easily reposition the head of the toothbrush for all the contours of the teeth.
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Toothpaste is another intricate part of brushing. There are several different types of toothpaste just as there are several toothbrushes. Again toothpaste can be mostly a personal preference because a patient should try a few different brands to find a toothpaste that has a flavor or taste they can get accustomed too. However, every case is different and one should definitely consult with their Dentist or Hygienist on which toothpaste would better suit oneself. There are several specialized toothpastes applications such as: sensitivity, whitening, tartar control, fluoride and even organic.
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There are several great techniques to choose from when it comes to brushing. It is just a matter of which one feels comfortable, so one is inclined to brush more. The important thing to remember is to clean the outer surface of the upper teeth, inner surface of upper teeth, outer surface of lower teeth and inner surface of lower teeth, all occlusal surfaces, and to brush the surface of the tongue.
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Colgate Interactive Toothbrushing Video
References
(1)"Dental Care > Health & Medicine > Main Section > BODY360." BODY 360. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Dec. 2011. http://www.body360.co.uk/section.php/17/1/dental-care.
(2)Eco, Organic, Natural Toothpastes That Work Well | EcoSalon | Conscious Culture and Fashion. (2010, January 18). EcoSalon | Conscious Culture and Fashion. Retrieved December 8, 2011, from http://ecosalon.com/adventures-in-eco-toothpaste-or-how-not-to-gag-when-you-brush/
(3)Brushing Teeth - Proper Techniques for Brushing Your Teeth. (n.d.). Colgate Toothpaste & Toothbrushes | Oral Hygiene, Dental Care & Health | Products for Personal Home Care. Retrieved December 8, 2011, from http://www.colgate.com/app/CP/US/EN/OC/Information/Articles/Oral-and-Dental-Health-Basics/Oral-Hygiene/Brushing-and-Flossing/article/How-to-Brush.cvsp
(4)Interactive Guide to Brushing Your Teeth | Colgate® Oral Care. (n.d.). Colgate Toothpaste & Toothbrushes | Oral Hygiene, Dental Care & Health | Products for Personal Home Care. Retrieved December 8, 2011, from http://www.colgate.com/app/CP/US/EN/OC/Information/Interactive-Guides/Guide-to-Brushing.cvsp?cid=US_Google_Oral_Care