Wednesday, 20 August 2014

School of Dentistry Popeye


Welcome to the School of Dentistry Popeye!

What is the Best Way To Brush Your Teeth?

Recently a colleague of mine shared this article published in the Business Insider Singapore. I think this is one of the best article I have read on brushing teeth. Taking care of your teeth is important — the consequences of not having good oral health are horrifying.

Here’s what you need to know:

The toothbrush: Unless your dentist advises otherwise, it doesn’t matter whether you use a regular toothbrush or an electric one — that you use it is what counts. Electric brushes may be helpful for people with reduced mobility who have a harder time reaching the inside surfaces of teeth. Many toothbrushes fit these requirements, but the American Dental Association has a list of approved toothbrushes.

The toothpaste: The key ingredient in all toothpastes, including traditional and “natural” products, is cavity-fighting fluoride. While some toothpastes may be specially formulated to fight gingivitis or to whiten teeth, they must contain fluoride must contain in order to receive the ADA-approval seal.

Dental Floss: Brushing your teeth can’t remove all the plaque from your mouth — it builds up in between teeth, and needs to be removed. Otherwise, that buildup can become problematic and can lead to gum disease, bad breath, and tooth loss. 



Mouthwash: Mouthwash is a supplement to good oral health, but it’s not essential like flossing and brushing.

Brushing methods:
The modified Bass, which the study found most frequently recommended for adults, involves holding the brush at a 45 degree angle to teeth, moving it back and forth and then brushing down to remove plaque.

American Dental Association tooth brushing guide

Adapted from : Business Insider Singapore


Written by : Dr Debbie Hong

1 comment:

  1. Such an informative article, very helpful for me!

    ReplyDelete