How frequently should I brush?

It is recommended that brushing twice daily is most effective at removing plaque.

What type of toothbrush should I use?

Any brush with soft, nylon bristles. Harder, stiffer bristles can damage teeth and gums.

Which is better: an electric toothbrush? a manual toothbrush?

When used properly, both types of toothbrushes are equally effective at removing plaque. It has been our experience that if someone exercises good plaque control with a manual toothbrush, there’s no reason to change. However, those persons needing a "boost" in motivation when it comes to plaque control, sometimes do better with an electric toothbrush.

When is it time to get a new toothbrush?

When the bristles are no longer straight, but tend to flare outward. This can happen as soon as three weeks or in three months. Toothbrushes were never meant to last a lifetime.

How should I brush my teeth?

Anyway you want. Scrub all the tooth surfaces, trying to remove food debris and plaque. Be careful not to scrub too hard or you might cause erosions to form on the teeth at the gum line, and can even "brush away" the gums, causing gum recessions.

Should I brush my gums, too?

Yes, but in a specific, safe way. Brushing at the gum line improperly can cause the gums to recede. When this happens, the teeth become sensitive, especially to cold drinks.

The best way to remove the plaque at the gum line is to slant the toothbrush head on a 45 degree angle to the tooth. This means that when you’re brushing the mandibular (lower) teeth, the bristles are slanted downwards, and for the maxilla (top) teeth, the bristles are slanted upwards. Use a short, gentle stroke, that "wiggles" the bristles at the gum line. This technique effectively removes the plaque and should not traumatize the gums. Think about it…when you do it this way, you’re essentially only removing the plaque from one or two teeth at a time, not a large group of them. After finishing one area, move on to other teeth, until all - outside and inside - teeth have been cleaned. Though cumbersome and slow at first, this plaque-removal technique can skillfully be performed in very little time.

It is also a good idea to occasionally brush your cheeks, roof of your mouth, and tongue, for a fresher breath.

But is brushing enough to remove all the plaque from my teeth?

No, it is not. Toothbrushing removes a small portion of the plaque on teeth. As a matter-of-fact, it’s been estimated that toothbrushing only removes about 30% of the plaque…and the plaque it does remove is not in the areas that cause tooth decay or periodontal (gum) disease. Why? Because the toothbrush bristles do not get in between the teeth, and barely get below the gum line, and this is where the more harmful plaque is harbored. For this reason dental professionals - dentists and hygienists - recommend dental flossing and the judicious use of toothpicks.

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