How to Brush Your Teeth

Brushing your teeth is an important part of your dental care routine. For a healthy mouth and smile, your teeth must be cleaned thoroughly and intentionally or else, a layer of bacteria called plaque will form on them, causing tooth decay and gum disease.

Manual or an Electric toothbrush:
which is better?

People always ask me which is better, a manual or an electric toothbrush. I favour an electric toothbrush but the truth is that either of these types of brushes is just perfect for brushing because, it is not about the ‘what’ but, the ‘how’ it is used. There are always going to be times you need a manual toothbrush, like when you are travelling, so learn to use both.

1. Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums.

2. Gently move the brush in circular movements at 45 degrees

3. Brush the outer surfaces, the inner surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.

How to Brush with an Electric Toothbrush

Electric toothbrushes are great as they either have a spinning head or use sonic vibrations that creates microbubbles that gently remove bacteria but you still have to know how to use them correctly. 

1. Apply toothpaste to the brush head. Move the brush head to your teeth before switching on the brush, to avoid splashing.

2. Start with the outside surfaces of the teeth. Guide the brush head slowly from tooth to tooth, holding the brush head in place for a few seconds against each tooth before moving on to the next one. I like to count 1-2-3…`on each tooth. Follow along with the shape of each tooth and the curve of the gums.

3. Do the same on the inside surfaces of the teeth, the chewing surfaces of the teeth as well as behind the back teeth.

Oral care tips from the Clinical Director of the London Smiling Dental Clinics and MYSMILE brand, Dr Uchenna Okoye and a trail blazer in the world of dentistry.  She is also widely known as the official dentist of the television show, 10 Years Younger on Channel 4 and also 10 Years Younger in 10 days on Channel 5.