How to Brush Each Tooth Individually

Proper brushing is important to maintaining good oral hygiene and preventing tooth decay and gum disease. Brushing your teeth correctly helps reduce plaque buildup, which can lead to bad breath, tooth decay, tooth loss, gingivitis and periodontal disease. To properly brush your teeth, you should gently clean all surfaces of each tooth individually at least twice a day and floss at least once a day.

Things You'll Need

• Soft-bristle toothbrush
• Toothpaste

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Instructions

• 1

  Apply toothpaste to a soft-bristled, small toothbrush, such as a child's or a round-headed toothbrush. Wet the brush with a bit of water.

• 2

  Place your toothbrush along your gum line and tooth near your inner cheek at a 45-degree angle so that the bristles touch both your tooth and gum. Move the toothbrush in small, circular motions over that outer surface of your tooth. Apply only light pressure on the tooth, as vigorous brushing can wear down tooth enamel and cause receding gums.

• 3

  Position the toothbrush next along the inner surface (the part next to your tongue) of that same tooth. Brush as did on the outer surface of the tooth, gently "massaging" both the tooth surface and close to the gum line.

• 4

  Put the toothbrush on the biting surface of that same tooth. Move the brush forward and backward on the surface and also in small circles.

• 5

  Move on to the next tooth and continue brushing each tooth individually until you have cleaned all of your teeth.

• 6

  Rinse your mouth out with water after you finish brushing.