Tooth Brushing

Brushing your teeth is one of the most effective ways of removing plaque from the exposed surfaces of your teeth and to make your teeth healthy.

Why Healthy Teeth Are Important?

Taking care of your teeth helps prevent plaque , which is a clear film of bacteria  that sticks to your teeth.After you eat, bacteria go crazy over the sugar on your teeth, like ants at a picnic. The bacteria break it down into acids that eat away tooth enamel, causing holes called cavities. Plaque also causes gingivitis , which is gum disease that can make your gums red, swollen, and sore. Your gums are those soft pink tissues in your mouth that hold your teeth in place.If you don't take care of your teeth, cavities and unhealthy gums will make your mouth very, very sore. Eating meals will be difficult. And you won't feel like smiling so much.

If teeth are not brushed correctly and frequently, it could lead to the calcification of saliva minerals, forming tartar. Poor dental health has been associated with heart disease and shortened life expectancy.

In the past:

3000 BC ancient Egyptians constructed crude toothbrushes from twigs and leaves to clean their teeth. Similarly, other cultures such as the Greeks, Romans, and Indians cleaned their teeth with twigs. Some would fray one end of the twig so that it could penetrate between the teeth more effectively.

Long ago, as people got older, their teeth would rot away and be very painful. To get rid of a toothache, they had their teeth pulled out. Finally people learned that cleaning their teeth was important, but they didn't have toothpaste right away. While you're swishing that minty-fresh paste around your mouth, think about what people used long ago to clean teeth:

• ground-up chalk or charcoal
• lemon juice
• ashes (you know, the stuff that's left over after a fire)
• tobacco and honey mixed together

It was only about 100 years ago that someone finally created a minty cream to clean teeth. Not long after that, the toothpaste tube was invented, so people could squeeze the paste right onto the toothbrush! Tooth brushing became popular during World War II. The U.S. Army gave brushes and toothpaste to all soldiers, and they learned to brush twice a day. Back then, toothpaste tubes were made of metal; today they're made of soft plastic and are much easier to squeeze!

Today there are plenty of toothpaste and brushes choices: lots of colors and flavors to choose from, and some are made just for kids. People with great-looking teeth advertise toothpaste on TV commercials and in magazines. When you're choosing a toothpaste, make sure it contains fluoride . Fluoride makes your teeth strong and protects them from cavities.

How to brush your teeth?

1- prepare your tooth brush:

After flossing, moisten your toothbrush with water and apply a thin strip of toothpaste. Try to choose one that contains fluoride.

2- start in the  back:

Start with your upper molars (back teeth) on your left side and work in a clockwise direction.

Point the bristles toward the gumline, in a 45-degree angle. Use a short circular motion for approximately 20 seconds.

3-Roll Away:

After 20 seconds, roll the brush head away from the gumline, so the bristles sweep the surface of the tooth, removing the food and plaque.

4-Work in a Clockwise Direction:

Continue working in a clockwise direction, ending with the lower molars on your left side. Repeat step two and three for the inside surface of the upper and lower molars.

5-Brushing the Back Surface of the Upper Front Teeth:

Brush the lingual (back) surface of the upper-front teeth by using the tip of the toothbrush head. Direct the bristles toward the gumline, and use a flicking motion down the surface of the tooth. Do this 2 to 3 times.

6-Brushing the Back of the Lower Front Teeth:

Point the bristles of the tip of the toothbrush toward the gumline. Flick the bristles up, away from the gumline in a sweeping motion. Do this 2 to 3 times.

 

7-Brush the Biting Surface:

Brush the biting surface of the upper and lower premolars and molars, using a circular motion.

8-Brush Your Tongue and the Inside of Your Cheeks:

Using a gentle circular motion, brush your tongue for 30 seconds and the inside of your cheeks for 30 seconds.

 9-Finish Up With a Rinse:

Finish by rinsing with either water or your choice of mouthwash. Don't forget to smile!

Remember to replace your toothbrush every three to four months. Researchers have established that thousands of microbes grow on toothbrush bristles and handles. Most are harmless, but others can cause cold and flu viruses, the herpes virus that causes cold sores, and bacteria that can cause periodontal infections.