The main role of brushing is to clean teeth at the biting surface and at the gum line. When brushing your teeth, it is necessary to cover a little gingival area beyond the gum line. An action that brushes into the gum line is of great benefit in maintaining periodontal health.

How to Use a Toothbrush?

1. Order of brushing:

Brush your teeth in the same order to avoid omissions, for example:

• Brush the lower row before the upper row of teeth.
• Brush the back teeth before the front teeth.
• Brush the inside of your teeth first and then the outside.

2. How you brush your teeth:

Routines may vary from person to person, but you are encouraged to practice according to your doctor's advice. Choose a soft-bristled toothbrush with a small head and exert a gentle grip. Common brushing methods and variations are as follows:

• Bass method brushing: for healthy gums or periodontitis.
  • The position of holding the toothbrush is shown in Fig. 1
  • Position the bristles against where the teeth meet the gums at a 45-degree angle.
  • Upper jaw: Brush up at a 45-degree angle (Fig 2).
  • Lower jaw: Brush down at a 45-degree angle (Fig 3).
  • After positioning the toothbrush, brush two teeth at a time in a backwards and forwards motion along the gumline. Repeat ten times before progressing to the next teeth.
  • Internal surface of frontal teeth: Brush up and down the gums straightly.
  • Posterior teeth: By reducing mouth opening, the head of the toothbrush can be angled to face the distal surface of teeth at the back of the mouth.
  • Biting surface, tongue: Brush back and forth.

2. Stillman’s method brushing: Applies 2-4 weeks after periodontal surgery

• Soft bristle.
• The bristles are pointed toward the gums and against the gums.
• Position the bristles inside the gumline and perform a rolling motion towards the biting surface of the teeth.

How to Use an Interdental Brush?

Interdental brushes are recommended for most patients with periodontal disease. In selecting an interdental brush of appropriate size, choose the largest size that can be placed between teeth with minimal resistance. After placing the proper interdental brush between the teeth, position the brush on the gum-line and gently perform in and out brushing movements for 5 times. Interdental spaces can be accessed from the front and the back and angling the head of the brush forwards or backwards allows for four surfaces in an interdental space to be cleaned in total.

Posterior tooth area: Interdental brushes are either positioned 90-degrees from the brush handle (L-shaped), or flexible to allow for a custom angle (as shown on the right).

How to Use Dental Floss?

Dental floss is suitable for all dental crevices. Choose general dental floss, three in one dental floss or big loop floss as required. Those with compromised hand coordination can choose an appropriate dental floss pick or oral irrigator.

1. Break off about 18 inches of floss and wind most of it around one of your middle fingers. Wind the remaining floss around the same finger of the opposite hand. This finger will take up the floss as it becomes dirty.
2. Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers.
3. Guide the floss between your teeth using a gentle rubbing motion.
4. When the floss reaches the gum line, put it deeper into sulcus. Curve it into a C shape against one tooth. Gently slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth.
5. Hold the floss tightly against the tooth. Gently rub the side of the tooth, moving the floss away from the gum with up and down motions. Repeat this method on the rest of your teeth. Don’t forget the back side of your last tooth. 
6. Once you’re finished, throw the floss away. A used piece of floss won’t be as effective and could leave bacteria behind in your mouth.