How to Brush Properly

Daily preventive care, including proper brushing and flossing, will help stop oral health problems before they develop and is much less painful, expensive, and worrisome than treating conditions that have been allowed to progress. As much as we love to see you at the dental office of Dr. Keith Rudolph, DDS, we want you to keep your permanent teeth for a lifetime. You can do that by following the oral hygiene basics of brushing properly.

Proper brushing is essentially for cleaning teeth and gums effectively. Use a toothbrush with soft, nylon, round-ended bristles that will not scratch and irritate teeth and gums. The American Dental Association recommends the following technique for brushing your teeth:

• Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against the gums.


• Move the brush back and forth gently in short (tooth-wide) strokes.


• Brush the outer tooth surfaces, the inner tooth surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.


• Use the tip of the brush to clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, using a gentle up-and-down stroke.


• Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen your breath.

Last but not least, schedule regular dental checkups keep your mouth healthy year round. To learn more about dental hygiene, as well as the services provided at the practice, visit www.drkeithrudolph.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Keith Rudolph, DDS in Fairfield, CT, call 203-254-9533.