Make Small Circles with Bristle on Teeth-Root

`Follow the 3·3·3 rule.`

Proper tooth brushing can prevent bad breath, dental caries, and paradentitis all at the same time.

Cavity-causing bacteria, mutans streptococci, is most active for the first 3 minutes immediately after a meal. Therefore, each time should take more than 3 minutes for brushing teeth thoroughly. That is why it is the 3·3·3 rule.

Hold the toothbrush lightly and after putting the brush upon the teeth-root on 45 degrees, draw small circles for 20 times on each tooth. When upper teeth are brushed, the circles should be made downward, and when lower teeth are brushed, the circles should be upward.

Erect the brush and make big circles according to teeth slope for inside of front teeth, and for grinding teeth, move the brush to and fro.

For paradentitis patients, who bleeds or smells bad, `Bas rule` is recommended. Put a line of bristles deep between teeth and gum, and vibrate the hand lightly. Do not stop even if it bleeds, and when the gum inflammation settles, go back to the normal brushing method.

Children should use `Pons rule`. Close the mouth a little and erect the brush. Make small circles on teeth and gum, and then, work the brush up and down, to and fro after opening up the mouth. When parents brush children’s teeth, standard adult brushing method is recommended.

Bristle should be horizontal, not too hard, and not too soft. The head section of brush is appropriate with 2-3 centimeters, which can cover 2 or 3 teeth. For an average person, 3-lined bristle is good, and for severe paradentitis patients, 2-lined is better. Toothbrushes are to be changed in every 2 – 4 months, in order to protect gum from damage.

Seong-Ju Lee stein33@donga.com