Summary

The article provides expert dental advice from Dr. Jing Lin on proper teeth brushing techniques, emphasizing the use of soft toothbrushes and the modified Bass brushing method to prevent dental issues.

Abstract

The article, authored by Dr. Jing Lin, a prominent dentist, outlines the common mistakes people make while brushing their teeth and offers guidance on the correct technique. It emphasizes that despite the common belief that brushing is intuitive, most individuals do not brush correctly. The proper method involves using a soft or extra-soft toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gum line, employing short horizontal strokes. This technique, known as the modified Bass brushing technique, targets the gum line where plaque accumulates. The article also advises brushing for two minutes twice a day and suggests not rinsing after brushing to allow fluoride to strengthen teeth. Dr. Lin advocates for regular practice to break old habits and encourages patients to actively engage with dental professionals to improve their oral health.

Opinions

The traditional method of brushing back and forth with a hard toothbrush is incorrect and can lead to gum damage.
Medium and hard toothbrushes are unnecessary and potentially harmful, as they contribute to gum recession.
The modified Bass brushing technique is the recommended method for effective plaque removal.
Consistency and practice are key to adopting the correct brushing technique.
Patients should take an active role in their dental health by asking for technique reviews during dental visits.
There is a lack of communication between some dentists and their patients, leading to a widespread lack of essential dental knowledge.
Dr. Lin believes that dental education is crucial in combating the "decay pandemic" and that informed patients will be more proactive about their oral health.

How Your Parents Screwed Up Your Teeth

A tutorial from a dentist — you have been brushing wrong your whole life

We were all taught how to brush our teeth since we were children. It’s one of those simple things that we assume everyone knows how to do. In fact, it’s supposed to be so intuitive that if you Google “how to brush your teeth”, you can’t help but look over your shoulder to make sure no one is watching. Yet, most people are not brushing the right way. During a time like this, where the unemployment rate resulted in a drastic drop in dental coverage, it’s more important than ever to make sure you hone down this skill to avoid unnecessary costs at the dentist.

Are you brushing the right way?

Let’s get down to the basics.

As a child, I was taught to brush my teeth back and forth with a hard toothbrush. If I can hear the sound of the toothbrush going back and forth on my teeth, that meant I was doing a good job. The louder the better.

That, unfortunately, is the wrong way.

Today, research shows that the correct way to brush your teeth is with a soft or even extra-soft toothbrush. A medium or hard toothbrush is too rough on your gums, does not clean your teeth any better, and leads to gum recession in the future. There is really no reason for medium and hard brushes to be on the market today. The only things they are good for are brushing the toilet and the sink.

They are on the shelves simply due to demand: some people are not aware of the situation and still prefer to buy stiffer brushes.

The Method

The method of brushing is crucial. Today, we use the modified Bass brushing technique. Place the toothbrush in a 45-degree angle towards your gum line, and brush in short horizontal strokes, almost like you are jiggling the toothbrush against your teeth. We brush at the gum line because most plaque settles at the gum line, not the teeth themselves.

Here I am going to show a video demonstration by the American Dental Association so you can see it in action.

Again, brush in the morning and night, two minutes each time. It’s recommended to just spit out the toothpaste instead of rinsing it out so that fluoride in the toothpaste can sit on your teeth longer and strengthen your teeth.

Now that you know the basic brushing technique, it’s time to put it in action. Use a timer and set it to two minutes. You’d be surprised how long two minutes actually is. Divide your mouth into four quadrants to brush, which means you should be spending 30 seconds in each quadrant. Always brush the quadrants in the same order to avoid confusion. Remember there are three surfaces you need to brush: outside, inside and the biting surface.

Practice makes perfect. Old habits are often hard to break. Pay attention and don’t fret if you find yourself going back to your old ways. Consistency is the key to almost everything.

Don’t underestimate your role in creating a healthy mouth. At your cleaning every six months, actively ask the hygienist or the dentist to go over the techniques with you even if they don’t offer. Dental health is dependent on both a proactive dental team and a motivated patient.

You can do this, I am here to help.

References

American Dental Association (ADA). “How to Brush Your Teeth”. Online video clip. Youtube. Youtube, 8 Oct 2014. Web. 12 Aug 2020. >

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Dr. Jing Lin

I am a dentist who graduated from the №1 Public University in the United States — UCLA with a full ride scholarship. I then attended dental school for four years in Rutgers School of Dentistry NJ and completed my Doctor of Dental Medicine degree at the top of my class.

Today, I am a practicing Senior Managing Dentist in a private practice in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. I am also an online instructor on Udemy on simplified dental education. Through years of practicing in dentistry, I realized that there is a lack of communication between some dentists and their patients, leading to a lack of dental knowledge that every patient is entitled to know. It’s shocking to me how many times patients tell me that the dental education that I gave them at their routine visits is the very first time the concept has been introduced to them. There is currently a decay pandemic that we are facing that is severely underestimated. I firmly believe that education is the only key that will cure the decay pandemic in our generation and the next.

I believe in a world where the average patient understands that dental decay is not just a cavity to fill, but is an infection inside their mouths that can cause problems in other parts of their body if left untreated. In this world, patients are willing to go back for dental treatment on their own because they understand the significance of why it needs to be done, not because the dentist told them to do so. Also in this world, basic dental knowledge is not exclusive to dentists, but becomes second nature to the public where they can pass down the knowledge and benefit their next generations. Join me in this movement.