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Tooth brushing is the act of cleaning teeth with a toothbrush
Toothbrush

The toothbrush is an instrument consisting of a small brush on a handle used to clean teeth through tooth brushing. Toothpaste, often containing fluoride, is commonly added to a toothbrush to aid in cleaning....
.

Modern medical research has shown that brushing teeth properly can prevent cavities, gingivitis
Gingivitis

Gingivitis around the teeth is a general term for gingival diseases affecting the gingiva . As generally used, the term gingivitis refers to gingival inflammation induced by bacterial biofilms adherent to tooth surfaces....
, and periodontal, or gum disease, which causes at least one-third of adult tooth loss
Tooth loss

Tooth loss is when one or more teeth come loose and fall out. Tooth loss is normal for deciduous teeth, when they are replaced by a person's permanent teeth....
. If teeth are not brushed correctly and frequently, it could lead to the calcification of saliva minerals, forming tartar.

Brushing one's teeth has long been considered an important part of dental care
Dental care

Dental care is the taking care of teeth. It includes, and may refer to:* Oral hygiene, the practice of keeping the mouth and teeth clean in order to prevent Dental caries , gum disease, and other dental disorders....
.






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Toothbrush1899paris
Tooth brushing is the act of cleaning teeth with a toothbrush
Toothbrush

The toothbrush is an instrument consisting of a small brush on a handle used to clean teeth through tooth brushing. Toothpaste, often containing fluoride, is commonly added to a toothbrush to aid in cleaning....
.

Modern medical research has shown that brushing teeth properly can prevent cavities, gingivitis
Gingivitis

Gingivitis around the teeth is a general term for gingival diseases affecting the gingiva . As generally used, the term gingivitis refers to gingival inflammation induced by bacterial biofilms adherent to tooth surfaces....
, and periodontal, or gum disease, which causes at least one-third of adult tooth loss
Tooth loss

Tooth loss is when one or more teeth come loose and fall out. Tooth loss is normal for deciduous teeth, when they are replaced by a person's permanent teeth....
. If teeth are not brushed correctly and frequently, it could lead to the calcification of saliva minerals, forming tartar.

Brushing one's teeth has long been considered an important part of dental care
Dental care

Dental care is the taking care of teeth. It includes, and may refer to:* Oral hygiene, the practice of keeping the mouth and teeth clean in order to prevent Dental caries , gum disease, and other dental disorders....
. As long ago as 3000 B.C. ancient Egyptians constructed crude toothbrushes from twigs and leaves to clean their teeth. Similarly, other cultures such as the Greeks, Romans, and Indians cleaned their teeth with twigs. Some would fray one end of the twig so that it could penetrate between the teeth more effectively.

Brushing process


Brushing is essential for cleaning teeth and gums effectively. Use a toothbrush with soft, nylon, round-ended bristles that will not scratch and irritate teeth or damage gums.

  • Place toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against the gums.
  • Move the brush up and down gently in short (tooth-wide) strokes.
  • Brush the outer tooth surfaces, the inner tooth surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.
  • Use the "toe" of the brush to clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, using a gentle up-and-down stroke.
  • Brush tongue to remove bacteria and freshen your breath.


Toothbrush

Toothbrush 20060209
The toothbrush
Toothbrush

The toothbrush is an instrument consisting of a small brush on a handle used to clean teeth through tooth brushing. Toothpaste, often containing fluoride, is commonly added to a toothbrush to aid in cleaning....
 is an instrument used to clean teeth, consisting of a small brush
Brush

The term brush refers to devices with bristles, wire or other filaments, used for cleaning, Personal grooming hair, cosmetics making painting, deburring and other kinds of surface finishing, and for many other purposes....
 on a handle. Toothpaste
Toothpaste

Toothpaste is a paste or gel dentifrice used to clean and maintain the aesthetics and health of teeth. Toothpaste is used to promote oral hygiene: it can aid in the removal of dental plaque and food from the teeth, aid in the elimination and/or masking of halitosis and deliver active ingredients such as fluoride or xylitol to prevent tooth...
, often containing fluoride
Fluoride

Fluoride is the Redox form of fluorine. Both organic compounds and inorganic compounds containing the chemical element fluorine are considered fluorides....
, is commonly added to a toothbrush to aid in cleaning. Toothbrushes are offered with varying textures of bristles, and come in many different sizes and forms. Most dentists recommend using a toothbrush labelled "Soft", since firmer bristled toothbrushes can damage tooth enamel
Tooth enamel

Tooth enamel is the hardest and most highly mineralized substance of the body, and with dentin, cementum, and Pulp is one of the four major tissues which make up the tooth in vertebrates....
 and irritate gums
Gingiva

The gingiva , or gums, consists of the mucosal tissue that lies over the alveolar bone....
 as indicated by the American Dental Association
American Dental Association

The American Dental Association is an American professional association established in 1859 and has more than 152,000 members. Based in Chicago, the ADA is the world's largest and oldest national dental association and promotes good oral health to the public while representing the dental profession....
. Toothbrushes are often made from synthetic fiber
Synthetic fiber

Synthetic fibers are the result of extensive research by scientists to improve upon naturally occurring animal and plant. In general, synthetic fibers are created by forcing, usually through extrusion, fiber forming materials through holes into the air, forming a thread....
s, although natural toothbrushes are also known in many parts of the world.

Toothpaste

Toothpaste
Toothpaste

Toothpaste is a paste or gel dentifrice used to clean and maintain the aesthetics and health of teeth. Toothpaste is used to promote oral hygiene: it can aid in the removal of dental plaque and food from the teeth, aid in the elimination and/or masking of halitosis and deliver active ingredients such as fluoride or xylitol to prevent tooth...
 is a paste
Paste

Paste may refer to:*Glue, an adhesive, which may be a paste*Paste , a Mexican pastry*Paste , an American music and entertainment magazine*Paste , substances rheologically similar to toothpaste...
 or gel
Gel

A gel is a solid, gelatin material that can have properties ranging from soft and weak to hard and tough. Gels are defined as a substantially dilute crosslinked system, which exhibits no flow when in the steady-state....
 dentifrice
Dentifrice

A Dentifrice is a paste, liquid or powder used to help maintain good oral hygiene. There have been many dentifrices produced over the years, many focusing on clever marketing strategies to sell products, such as offering whitening capabilities....
 used to clean and improve the aesthetic appearance and health of teeth. It is almost always used in conjunction with a toothbrush
Toothbrush

The toothbrush is an instrument consisting of a small brush on a handle used to clean teeth through tooth brushing. Toothpaste, often containing fluoride, is commonly added to a toothbrush to aid in cleaning....
. Toothpaste use can promote good oral hygiene
Oral hygiene

Teeth cleaning is the removal of dental plaque from teeth, in order to prevent Dental caries , gingivitis, and Periodontal disease. It is part of a complete program of oral hygiene....
: it can aid in the removal of dental plaque
Dental plaque

Dental plaque is biofilm that builds up on the teeth. If not removed regularly, it can lead to dental cavities or periodontal problems .The microorganisms that form the biofilm are almost entirely bacteria , with the composition varying by location in the mouth....
 and food
Food

Food is any substance, usually composed of carbohydrates, fats, proteins and water, that can be Eating or Drinking by an animal or human for nutrition or pleasure....
 from the teeth, it can aid in the elimination and/or masking of halitosis
Halitosis

Halitosis, oral malodor, breath odor, mouth odor, foul breath, fetor oris, fetor ex ore, or most commonly bad breath are terms used to describe noticeably unpleasant odors exhaled in breathing ? whether the smell is from an oral source or not....
, and it can deliver active ingredients such as fluoride
Fluoride

Fluoride is the Redox form of fluorine. Both organic compounds and inorganic compounds containing the chemical element fluorine are considered fluorides....
 to prevent tooth and gums (Gingiva
Gingiva

The gingiva , or gums, consists of the mucosal tissue that lies over the alveolar bone....
) disease.

Tooth Powder

Tooth Powder
Tooth powder

Tooth powder, also called dentifricium, ojdontovtrimma or dentifrice, appears to have been skilfully prepared and generally used among the Romans....
 or Toothpaste Powder as it is sometimes called is an alternative to toothpaste. In some cases, it is recommended especially in situations where the patient has sensitive teeth. Tooth powder typically does not contain the chemical sodium lauryl sulphate which can be a skin irritant. The function of sodium lauryl sulphate is to form suds when teeth are brushed. It is a common chemical in toothpaste.

See also


  • Toothpaste
    Toothpaste

    Toothpaste is a paste or gel dentifrice used to clean and maintain the aesthetics and health of teeth. Toothpaste is used to promote oral hygiene: it can aid in the removal of dental plaque and food from the teeth, aid in the elimination and/or masking of halitosis and deliver active ingredients such as fluoride or xylitol to prevent tooth...
  • Tooth
    Tooth

    Teeth are small whitish structures found in the jaws of many vertebrates that are used to tear, scrape, and chew food. Some animals, particularly carnivores, also use teeth for hunting or defense....
  • Dental care
    Dental care

    Dental care is the taking care of teeth. It includes, and may refer to:* Oral hygiene, the practice of keeping the mouth and teeth clean in order to prevent Dental caries , gum disease, and other dental disorders....


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