Which brushing method is right?
For adults, the Bass method, which cleans the gum line, is the one most often recommended. That is because the bacterial film (plaque) that causes cavities and gum disease builds up most where the teeth and gums meet.
- Place the bristles where the teeth meet the gums, tilted 45 degrees toward the gums.
- With the bristle tips slightly inside the gum gap, move them in place in short, vibrating strokes about 10 times.
- Finally, sweep from the gums toward the tips of the teeth.
- Move over by one brush width, overlapping, and repeat.
Enough pressure that the bristles do not bend is plenty. Scrubbing hard side to side is the most common cause of worn-down tooth necks and receding gums.
In what order should I brush?
Brushing in the same order every time keeps you from missing spots. Commonly missed places are the inside of the lower front teeth, the back of the last molars, and the cheek side of the upper molars.
- Upper right outer surfaces → upper left outer surfaces
- Upper left inner surfaces → upper right inner surfaces
- The lower teeth in the same order
- Scrub the chewing surfaces back and forth to clean the grooves
- For the inside of the front teeth, hold the brush upright and move it up and down
- Finally, the back of the tongue
Brushing your whole mouth this way takes 2–3 minutes. At first, using a phone timer helps.
How many times a day, and when, should I brush?
At least twice a day, and brushing before bed is the most important. While you sleep, saliva decreases and bacteria become most active. The common “3-3-3” rule (3 times a day, within 3 minutes after meals, for 3 minutes) is best understood as a slogan for building the habit.
Brushing right after a meal is fine in most cases. However, right after having something acidic, such as soda, fruit juice, or food with vinegar, the tooth surface is weakened, so it is better to rinse with water and brush about 30 minutes later.
How do I choose a toothbrush and toothpaste?
| Item | Recommended | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Bristles | Soft to medium | Prevents wear on the gums and tooth necks |
| Head size | Small (about the width of two molars) | Reaches the very back molars |
| Replacement | About every 3 months, or right away if the bristles splay | Splayed bristles clean less well |
| Toothpaste | Fluoride 1,000ppm or more | Helps prevent cavities |
| Rinsing | Lightly, once or twice | So fluoride stays in the mouth |
Why isn’t a toothbrush alone enough?
A toothbrush cleans only about 60% of the tooth surfaces and barely reaches between the teeth. So once a day you should also use floss or an interdental brush. Floss suits tight spaces between teeth, and interdental brushes suit where there are gaps; I have explained how to use them in How to insert an interdental brush. If using your hands is difficult or you have a lot of dental work, also see How to use a Waterpik. A Waterpik is better used as a supplement than as a replacement for floss.
How we do it at Wonjin Dental
During scaling or check-ups, I point out the spots where tartar keeps building up. If tartar is always in the same spot, that is where the toothbrush is not reaching. If the necks of the teeth are worn down, I advise you to change the pressure and direction of brushing. Scaling is covered by national health insurance once a year for those aged 19 and over, and it is ₩60,000 when not covered by insurance.
Frequently asked questions
Is an electric toothbrush better than a manual one?
There is research showing rotating electric toothbrushes remove a little more plaque, but where and how long you brush matter more than that difference. They help people who find it hard to control hand pressure and people in orthodontic treatment. With an electric toothbrush too, you need to hold it at the gum line and move it slowly one tooth at a time.
Should I floss before or after brushing?
If you floss first and then brush, you clean away the debris that came out from between the teeth, and fluoride reaches between the teeth more easily. But doing it every day is much more important than the order.
If my gums bleed when brushing, should I brush more gently?
Bleeding is mostly due to gum inflammation, so it actually improves when you clean that area gently but thoroughly. If it keeps bleeding after 1–2 weeks of proper brushing, tartar may be the cause, and scaling is needed.
Should I clean my tongue every day too?
The white coating on the back of the tongue is a common cause of bad breath, so cleaning it once a day is good. A tongue cleaner causes less gagging than a toothbrush. For how to do it, see How to use a tongue cleaner.
