Oral Health Tips: Brushing Techniques for Adults & Children

proper-brushing-techniques-for-adults-and-children

Whether you are six or 60, the importance of brushing teeth regularly and properly cannot be overstated. Learning the proper technique for teeth brushing while you are young is a skill that benefits you for a lifetime. This guide for how to brush your teeth for kids and adults can help you check your technique and keep your teeth healthier than ever.

Brushing for Kids

Children can start learning to care for their teeth even before the first one arrives. You can use a soft washcloth to massage the gums, so the child gets used to the sensation. Once a tooth breaks through, continue to use the cloth or gauze to keep the baby teeth clean until the child is ready to graduate to an infant-sized toothbrush with soft bristles.

Using water at first and then eventually a pea-sized drop of child-safe toothpaste, you can brush your child’s teeth for them and at the same time, allow them to brush on their own as reinforcement. Modeling the method is effective for training on the proper technique.

  • Let the child hold the toothbrush.
  • Show the child how to brush in tiny circles on the front surface of teeth and gums.
  • Brush side-to-side on chewing surfaces.
  • Rinse and spit, if the child is capable.

Brushing for Adults

Most people learn how to brush at a young age, but don’t always learn to brush with a proper technique. It’s important to use the right size and type of brush for your mouth for maximum effectiveness. Bristles should be soft, and the head of the brush should fit comfortably in your mouth, so all surfaces are accessible.

For the most protection, use a toothpaste with fluoride. Remember to replace your toothbrush every few months or sooner if the bristles are worn or if you are ill. Brush twice a day with a proper technique.

  • The brush should be held at a 45-degree angle.
  • Don’t push down too hard, and move the brush in small strokes back and forth.
  • Cover all surfaces of the teeth, including the front, back, and flat surfaces.
  • Maneuver the toothbrush vertically up and down to reach the interior of the front teeth.

In addition to proper brushing, flossing is essential for adults since it removes particles from between the teeth that brushing alone can’t reach.

Here are 8 bad brushing mistakes to break in 2020 from the American Dental Association.

Schedule a Consultation

If you have any questions about dental hygiene or have a specific dental problem that needs to be addressed, contact Medical Center Dental today to schedule a consultation. The team of professionals is waiting to help you meet all of your dental goals.

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Image Credit: Shutterstock By bbernard