BRUSHING YOUR TEETH

suey71 · 08-09-2009 10:25pm #1

My wife and I have this running argument.

I brush my teeth from side to side, while she brushes in circular motions.

When she sees me brushing the kids teeth before bed, she starts moaning. "Thats the wrong way, Dentists recommend circular brushing".

Now this really pees me off. Maybe she's right, but why be so anal about it.

I was just wondering what way people in general brush their teeth.

1. Across, like me.

2. Circular, like the misses.

3. Up and down.

Any thoughts on this

.

Snowie · 08-09-2009 10:33pm

circular motions is the correct way to brush i beleave..

SoupyNorman · 08-09-2009 10:40pm

I brush with an electric toothbrush which spins circularly, but I move it side to side also. I'm mad me.

I brush with Caps Lock off also.

Otis Driftwood · 08-09-2009 10:42pm

I just do both aswell as an up and down motion for the side/back teeth.

Tallon · 08-09-2009 10:51pm

If course circular... Did you not get tooth brush ed in school like me?
Still don't know what that was about ?

Ghost Train · 09-09-2009 12:30am

I do it all ways except your way... the wrong way:pac:

ftw

2. Circular, like the misses.

3. Up and down.

Ruu_Old · 09-09-2009 12:31am

Circular, the dentist told me so.

Terodil · 09-09-2009 12:58am

Like you, sideways, and haven't had a single hole drilled in my precious pristine teeth

suey71 · 09-09-2009 1:27am

Damn!!

I cant let the wife see this.

Surely side to side is a more natural motion than circular or up and down?
It just seems so awkward.

I suppose you's all floss aswell:D.

r3nu4l · 09-09-2009 7:19am

Aye, floss and mouthwash are brilliant for reducing dental bills in the future!

Oh, and I brush up and down AND circular and i pay special attention to the area around the gums too

enda1 · 09-09-2009 7:28am

Brushing sideways absolutely destroys your gums!

For you to reach in between the edge of your tooth and gum means your put more pressure on your gums so it causes them to retract and expose the delicate roots of your teeth. (This was explained to me by my dentist, and I have since changed with appreciable results!)

Circular, with little but adequate pressure, especially if you use an electric toothbrush.

bluto63 · 09-09-2009 10:42am

I go side to side, didn't realise that was the incorrect method! I've seen people do up and down, but I found that to be too uncomfortable> Must try circular tonight

Khannie · 09-09-2009 11:26am

Ruu wrote: »

Circular, the dentist told me so.

+1. I was told to brush every part of each tooth individually. With hindsight this was just to get me into a good routine.

thorbarry · 09-09-2009 11:32am

suey71 wrote: »

Damn!!

I cant let the wife see this.

Surely side to side is a more natural motion than circular or up and down?
It just seems so awkward.

I suppose you's all floss aswell:D.

Ha yea i used to brush sideways because it felt more natural.... I visited the dentist and she said there was plaque between my teeth and gums, and had to go to the hygienist to get it sorted out (very unpleasant) no i do both, well i do up and down then sideways

L31mr0d · 09-09-2009 11:53am

suey71 wrote: »

I brush my teeth from side to side, while she brushes in circular motions.

Think about it for a second. When you are hand cleaning the car, what motions are you making? When you are cleaning a pot with a brillo pad what motion are you making?

Toothpaste is a mild abrasive, and teeth are full of pockmarks and striations. Circle motions ensure that you are abrading the surface of your teeth in all 360'. For the same reasons you use circular motions when cleaning baked in food on stainless steel you use the same motion on your teeth.

Like others though the Dentist told me this was the correct way to brush my teeth. Although she also said to use side to side, up and down and circular motions.

suey71 · 09-09-2009 12:26pm

Good points L31mrod.

So the Wax on Wax off kinda thing works best.
I'll try this more often from now on.

As for cleaning the pots and pans, I have to admit that I never gave much thought about the direction of the Brillo pad. Makes sense though.

I also heard that the best way to squeeze toothpaste from the tube is to sqeeze it from the bottom

. NOW, I just think that is taking it just a little too far.

Sqeezing your toothpaste shouldn't be a chore. It should be a stress relieving experience.

sqeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeze:D.
Yeah that felt good.