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Shelly Shearer: Mom Was Right; there is a right and wrong way to brush your teeth


Quick. What do bass and tooth care have in common?

Dr. Shearer

If you answered that they both require a thin line to get the job done, you are partially right. While we’re fishing for the right answer, we’re not talking about using your pole in the nearest lake. Dentists across the world thank Dr. Charles Bass for introducing the best technique for brushing and flossing your teeth.

Interestingly, Dr. Bass was a medical doctor turned researcher who is often referred to as the “Father of Preventive Dentistry.” He was fascinated by how oral health contributes to general physical well-being, especially since he had been diagnosed with advanced gum disease and advised to have all his teeth pulled.  Instead, he turned to research to study how bacteria builds around the gums and teeth. We have Dr. Bass to thank for the Bass Technique of Tooth Brushing and the discovery of nylon dental floss instead of silk.

So is there a right way and wrong way to brush your teeth?  Yes.

Though Dr. Bass lived from 1875-1975 his legacy for correct tooth brushing prevails. Here’s what you need to know.

Brush This Way for Two Minutes Twice a Day

  • Place your toothbrush at a 45 degree angle to the gums.
  • Gently move the brush back and forth in short (tooth-wide) strokes.
  • Brush the outer surfaces, the inner surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.
  • To clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, tilt the brush vertically and make several up and down strokes.

Do not brush from side to side. It does not remove plaque and food/sugar debris, however microscopic, that build up around the gums and in between the teeth. Most importantly, horizontal brushing with toothpaste cuts a groove in the next of the tooth where it meets the gum.

What Kind of Toothbrush Should I Use?

Select a soft-bristled brush with a size that fits easily in your mouth so that it can reach every oral area. Replace it every three to six months depending on how frayed the bristles get. The more worn the brush, the harder it is for it to loosen debris in the teeth and gum line. Think of it as a steel wool pad that wears down so much that it can no longer remove food stains from pots and pans.

Why Am I Told I Brush Too Hard?

Statistics clearly show that brushing too aggressively harms the protective enamel on your teeth, makes your gums and teeth more sensitive and even contributes to gum recession. That could lead to some pretty painful disease.

Am I Using Too Much Toothpaste?

Probably. Toothpaste is like putting sand on your teeth. It helps loosen bacteria and polishes a bit, but too much starts to erode your enamel. It’s using the toothbrush itself that’s key to the oral care process. Using a bit less toothpaste saves you money too.

If I Am Brushing My Teeth Twice a Day, Why Do I Need to Floss?

Just like you seek the perfect fishing line and hook to catch fish, you need a perfect line of floss to reach between teeth where even the newest toothbrush just can’t reach. Try to floss twice a day—morning and before bed. If you follow this regimen of tooth brushing and flossing you can maintain your own teeth for a lifetime of healthy smiles.

Remember. It’s never too early or too late to learn what can save your teeth.

Dr. Shelley Shearer is a graduate of the University of Louisville Dental School and Founder of Shearer Family and Cosmetic Dentistry in Florence, the largest all-female dental practice in Northern Kentucky


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