Oral hygiene
Brushing your teeth properly – thorough, gentle and regular
Good oral hygiene is important to keep your teeth and gums healthy in the long term. What matters is not only how often you brush, but above all how thoroughly and gently you clean.
What matters most:
- clean all tooth surfaces regularly
- don’t forget the spaces between your teeth
- brush systematically so no areas are missed
- clean with light pressure and soft bristles
- take bleeding gums seriously
- come in regularly for check-ups and preventive care
The one, two, three of dental floss
Toothbrushing technique: the so-called Bass technique
Spaces between teeth – especially important
Most problems arise where the toothbrush can’t reach well: between the teeth. Bacterial plaque builds up particularly easily in these areas. That’s why tooth decay and gum inflammation often start in the spaces between teeth.
Dental floss or interdental brushes are therefore an important part of daily dental care.
Which aids are best suited depends on your individual dental situation:
- dental floss for tight spaces
- interdental brushes for larger spaces
- Superfloss for bridges, retainers or fixed restorations
What matters less is the exact product than regular use.
How to use dental floss correctly
Many patients only pass the floss briefly between their teeth and pull it straight back out. However, the actual cleaning only begins in the interdental space.
It’s easy to do:
- gently guide the floss between the teeth
- clean one tooth surface
- then clean the adjacent tooth surface
The floss should rest lightly against the tooth and be guided with small up-and-down movements.
Take bleeding gums seriously
If your gums bleed when brushing or flossing, inflammation is often the cause. Many people then clean these areas more carefully—or stop cleaning them altogether. However, that can make the symptoms worse.
That’s why it’s important to continue cleaning the affected areas thoroughly and gently. Often, the gums improve noticeably after just a few days.
If the bleeding persists, a dental check-up should be carried out. Sometimes there are deeper gum pockets or early periodontitis.
Manual toothbrush or electric toothbrush?
Good results can be achieved with manual toothbrushes, electric toothbrushes and sonic toothbrushes. However, electric toothbrushes can make cleaning easier and often ensure a more consistent brushing technique.
What matters less is the brand than correct use.
A fixed order when brushing is helpful:
- first the inner surfaces
- then the chewing surfaces
- finally the outer surfaces
This ensures all areas are cleaned evenly and no spots are forgotten.
Also brush your tongue regularly with your toothbrush, a special tongue brush or, as shown here, a tongue scraper.
Don’t brush too hard
Too much pressure can permanently damage the gums and tooth necks. Common consequences are gum recession, sensitive tooth necks or tooth wear.
That’s why: gentle and thorough is better than scrubbing hard.
Soft toothbrushes are usually completely sufficient. If the bristles bend quickly, you are often brushing with too much force.
Highly abrasive “whitening” toothpastes should also be used with caution, as they can put unnecessary strain on the tooth surface.
The right brushing technique – the Bass technique
For many patients, the so-called Bass technique is particularly suitable. The bristles of the toothbrush are not placed straight on the tooth, but slightly angled towards the gumline—at about a 45-degree angle.
This allows the bristles to reach the sensitive transition between tooth and gum more effectively, where bacterial plaque tends to accumulate particularly often.
Cleaning is then done with small vibrating or circular movements and only light pressure. Vigorous scrubbing is not necessary and can even damage the gums and tooth necks over time.
What matters less is perfect technique than calm, systematic and regular cleaning of all tooth surfaces.
We try to show the tilt of the brush head towards the gums using photos.
The right amount makes the difference
Good oral hygiene does not mean brushing for as long as possible or as hard as possible. What matters is regularity, a systematic approach and gentle cleaning.
Anyone who cares for their teeth thoroughly, cleans between their teeth and comes in regularly for preventive care creates the best conditions for healthy teeth and healthy gums in the long term.
Further reading: More about fluoride, dental floss and the right toothbrush.