How to brush your teeth properly

Most people brush their teeth 2 times a day, as recommended, but very few use the right technique. Oral hygiene is not only about the health of our teeth, but about the health of our whole body. Thus, according to experts, sick or dead teeth can also harm the body in general. For example, bacteria can get from the gums into the blood and thus promote certain diseases. It is therefore all the more important that you and your family always pay attention to the right toothbrushing technique to ensure the optimal health of your teeth. In this article, you will find a step-by-step guide on how to brush your teeth properly, whether you are using an electric or a manual toothbrush.

Brush your teeth properly with a manual toothbrush

It used to be said that you should brush your teeth in circular movements. However, this technique is now considered outdated and experts recommend brushing the teeth according to the so-called "bass method". 2 Here's how:

• Place the toothbrush so that the bristle axis to the dental crown forms an angle of about 45°. The bristle field should cover the tooth surface and the gums in equal parts.
  
• Now apply light pressure so that the bristles begin to bend.
  
• Move the brush a few times in slightly shaking movements and repeat the whole thing for all tooth surfaces.
  
• On the chewing surfaces, you can simply move the toothbrush back and forth.
  
  

Clean systematically! This means, for example, start with the inner surfaces in the lower and upper jaw. Then it is the turn of the outer surfaces and finally the chewing surfaces are cleaned.

Brush your teeth properly with an electric toothbrush

An electric toothbrush has significant advantages over a conventional manual toothbrush in the removal of bacteria and dental plaque. Because with it you get to places in the oral cavity that you can not get to with a normal toothbrush. Here's how to brush your teeth properly with an electric toothbrush:

• If you have a toothbrush with a round brush head, place the brush head parallel to the teeth on the gum line and guide the brush along it.
  
• Work slowly from tooth to tooth so that each tooth is brushed individually for a few seconds.
  
• Again, start with the inner surfaces of the teeth, then brush the outer surfaces and finally the chewing surfaces.
  
  

If you already own a sonic toothbrush, congratulations! Thanks to its elongated head, it allows you to clean several teeth at once without having to exert pressure on teeth and gums. Here's how to brush your teeth properly with a sonic toothbrush:

• Place the brush head – as with a manual toothbrush – at a 45° angle to the gums, so that the bristle field covers the tooth surface and the gums in equal parts. 
  
• Systematic guiding of the brush head over the tooth surfaces: outside, inside and chewing surfaces. 
  
• Slowly guide the toothbrush along the tooth surfaces. The sonic toothbrush generates a stream of fluid, which also supports the cleaning of the interdental spaces.
  
• Pressureless cleaning
  
  

Protective clean claims: If you not only want to remove dental plaque, but also remove slight tooth discoloration, try the Philips Sonicare Diamond Clean. Together with the Premium Plaque brush head, it brightens your teeth in just one week, while its integrated pressure sensor ensures particularly gentle cleaning.