Have You Brushed Your Teeth Properly? 6 Things to Check

Brushing your teeth is a daily routine that has been a part of our lives since we learned how to do it. It is undeniable that brushing properly is very important, as numerous studies have shown that proper brushing can help prevent decay and gum disease [1,2].

But, how can you be sure that you have brushed your teeth properly? After brushing your teeth, do you check them to make sure they have been cleaned thoroughly? Don’t worry, there are a few things you can look out for to confirm that your teeth are clean after brushing, and we will discuss them in this article. In this article, I will provide tips to help you determine if you have brushed your teeth properly.

Did ancient human brush teeth?

You may hear that toothbrushing is not really that important because ancient humans did not even brush their teeth. Contrary to popular belief, people have been brushing their teeth for maintaining good oral health for thousands of years, including ancient humans.

Although ancient humans, particularly those from pre-agricultural societies, had a lower prevalence of tooth decay compared to modern humans, there were several factors that contributed to this difference. One such factor was their diet, which was high in fiber, low in sugar and other fermentable carbohydrates that can lead to tooth decay. Another factor was the constant mechanical wear on their teeth from a diet of tough, fibrous foods, which helped to keep their teeth clean and prevent plaque build-up. Despite this low prevalence of tooth decay, ancient humans still experienced oral health problems, such as periodontal disease [3,4].

6 Things to Check to Make Sure You Have Brushed Your Teeth Properly

After brushing, there are a few signs you can look for to determine if your teeth have been properly cleaned. These include:

1. Plaque-free teeth when viewed up close in the mirror.

Dental plaque is a sticky, creamy or slimy substance that consists mainly of food debris and bacteria. It is the main factor for tooth decay and gum diseases [5,6]. If your teeth are shiny and smooth without this yellowish-white build-up, you have likely brushed effectively.

2. No food debris when flossing.

Most of the time, there will be food debris, because brushing alone cannot always clean the tight spaces between teeth. So, it’s important to floss until no food debris is present.

3. No bad smell on the floss.

Some may feel that it is disgusting to smell the floss but it is indeed a good way to check if the space between the teeth is clean. If flossing leaves a bad odor, it’s a sign that the area between your teeth is not clean. If the smell persists even after flossing for a few times, you may want to get the teeth checked by a dentist.

4. Gums are free of plaque and tartar.

Proper brushing should leave the gumline free of plaque, but if tartar has started to accumulate, a visit to the dentist is needed for scaling.

5. Healthy gums that are pointy, firm, pink, and free of bleeding and discharge.

When the gums are free from plaque and tartar, it will stay healthy and you will be free from the issues of gum diseases.

6. Absence of new tooth decay.

Since tooth decay is caused by bad oral hygiene, its absence can mean that you have been brushing well.

Teeth Are Still Dirty After Brushing?

Sometimes, even after brushing thoroughly, you may find that your teeth are still dirty. It is important to understand that it can be normal to have some level of residue on your teeth and not all of it is harmful.

One such natural occurrence is biofilm, which is a thin, slimy layer of colorless or yellowish-white material that forms on your teeth a few minutes or hours after brushing. This material is made up of a mixture of proteins and bacteria. Although it is impossible to avoid it completely, it can be prevented from causing harm by regular brushing. However, if left unchecked, the biofilm can mature into thicker dental plaque, which is a more complex community of bacteria and can lead to tooth decay and gum disease [5,6,7].

Another condition which is harmless is tooth stain, which can be stubborn and difficult to remove. Tooth stain does not pose a threat to your oral health.

On the other hand, the following are the signs that you have not been brushing your teeth effectively:

• The presence of visible dental plaque on your teeth even after brushing, indicating that they are not fully clean.
• Tartar build-up, which is a hard substance that forms over time, often as a result of not brushing your teeth regularly.
• Bleeding gums, which is a sign of unhealthy gums and is usually caused by poor oral hygiene and the accumulation of dental plaque at the gumline.

You can see that dental plaque is the root cause of many dental problems, including tooth decay and gum bleeding, among others. Therefore, the principle of a good toothbrushing technique is very simple (theoretically) – to remove the dental plaque from tooth surfaces and the gums. Although it is simple in concept, incorrect brushing habits can be formed from young age without understanding what they are meant to accomplish.

The Correct Way of Brushing the Teeth

There are different ways to brush your teeth and they all aim to get rid of plaque. Some ways are made for kids, some for people with braces, and some for those who have just had gum surgery.

Although there is no single best technique to brush your teeth, the Modified Bass Technique is a popular method that is recommended for general usage because it has been shown to be quite effective in removing dental plaque [8,9]. To do it right, you should tilt the brush so the bristles are at 45 degree angle and pointing at your gum line. You can brush in circular motions using gentle force to allow the bristles to slide gently under the gum. Make sure to reach all the surfaces of your teeth.

Remember this: brushing alone may not be enough to remove all the plaque. Plaque can also build up between your teeth where a toothbrush can’t reach, and it can cause tooth decay and gum disease at this area [10]. This is why it’s important to use tools like floss, interdental brushes, or an oral irrigator (water flosser) to clean those areas.

The type of tool you use will depend on the size of the spaces between your teeth. For small spaces, floss is a good choice. If you have larger gaps between your teeth (“black triangles”), an interdental brush might work better. An oral irrigator or water flosser is another option that can help to remove dental plaque [11,12]. By keeping all parts of your mouth clean, you can help prevent tooth decay and gum disease.

What about using electric toothbrush? Read this article about the benefit of electric toothbrush vs manual toothbrush.

Taking a Look at Healthy Gums and Teeth

The picture above shows a set of healthy teeth and gums which have good hygiene.

• Teeth look clean and smooth, with no slimy build-up on the surface.
• No new tooth cavities forming.
• No visible plaque or tartar around the gumline.
• Gums look healthy, with no swelling, redness, bleeding when brushing, or discharge.
• Teeth are stable and not loose.

However, some damage from plaque may be irreversible and permanent, such as arrested caries (white/black spot on tooth surface or dark lines on the tooth’s grooves), gum recession, long teeth, and loss of supporting bone. Consult your dentist to see what can be done to solve those problems.

Summary

Brushing your teeth helps to get rid of the dental plaque (slimy substance that sticks to your teeth and gums), which can cause tooth decay and gum diseases. By brushing properly, you can prevent these problems and keep your teeth and gums healthy.

Now you know that there are few ways for you to check whether you have brushed properly. If you are not sure, you can visit a dentist for a check-up and get some tips on how to improve.

Reference

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2. Axelsson P, Nyström B, Lindhe J. The long‐term effect of a plaque control program on tooth mortality, caries and periodontal disease in adults: results after 30 years of maintenance. Journal of clinical periodontology. 2004 Sep;31(9):749-57. (Link)
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10. Amarasena N, Gnanamanickam ES, Miller J. Effects of interdental cleaning devices in preventing dental caries and periodontal diseases: a scoping review. Australian dental journal. 2019 Dec;64(4):327-37. (Link)
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