Help: How to brush your teeth?

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We determine which brush is better to choose – a regular or electric one. Why do you need dental floss, a rinse aid, and an irrigator? And how to properly brush your teeth to protect them from cavities.

When to brush your teeth

It is recommended to brush your teeth twice a day – in the morning and the evening. This is usually enough to keep your teeth and gums healthy.

In the evening, everything is simple – brush your teeth before going to bed. And in the morning, the question arises: is it better to brush your teeth before or after breakfast? Dentists have yet to have a definitive answer. Brushing before breakfast removes bacteria that have accumulated overnight. They will multiply while eating and damage the enamel if this is not done.

On the other hand, people usually eat breakfast rather quickly, and the bacteria do not have time to cause significant damage. Brushing your teeth after breakfast will remove food particles and freshen your breath. The paste will stay on the teeth longer, and the active ingredients will work better. But in this case, it is easier to forget about brushing your teeth in the morning, especially if you are in a hurry. In general, each option has its pros and cons. You can choose the one that suits you best.

If you want, you can brush your teeth more often, for example, after every meal. However, you must wait for at least half an hour after eating. This is especially important if you have eaten or drank something containing acid. For example, coffee or orange juice. Such products make the enamel more fragile. She needs time to restore her natural defenses.

How to choose a toothbrush and properly care for it

You can brush your teeth with any brush that feels comfortable. For most people, brushes with a small, streamlined head are fine. It is better to choose bristles with soft or medium hardness. They effectively remove plaque without damaging the gums and enamel.

It doesn’t matter if your toothbrush is electric or regular. The American Dental Association says they are equally good at removing plaque with the right brushing technique.

Each brush has its advantages and disadvantages:

• Ordinary brushes are cheaper. You can buy them in almost any supermarket. They are convenient to use on trips because you do not need to look for an outlet or replaceable batteries.
• Electric toothbrushes help you focus on the process and brush your teeth more effectively. They are suitable for people with limited mobility and are often liked by children. Plus, they are more environmentally friendly than regular toothbrushes because you only need to change a small head.

The American Dental Association recommends changing your toothbrush every three to four months or more often if the bristles are worn out. After cleaning, the brush must be thoroughly rinsed from the remnants of the paste and plaque. Store your brush upright with the bristles up, so it has time to dry between brushings. It can be disinfected with mouthwash or a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution.

How to choose toothpaste

Experts recommend brushing your teeth with fluoridated toothpaste because they protect your teeth from cavities. The fluorine content is usually indicated on the packaging. For adults, the indicator should be at least 1350 pmm, and for children, 1000 ppm is enough . Residents of such regions are advised to choose pasta without fluoride for children. Otherwise, yellow, white, or brown spots may appear on the enamel.

How to brush your teeth properly.

1. Rinse your teeth with water.
2. Squeeze a pea-sized ball of toothpaste onto your toothbrush.
3. Holding the brush at a 45-degree angle, brush the outer surface of your teeth in a circular motion.
4. Brush the chewing surface of your teeth in a circular motion.
5. Using sweeping movements from the bottom up, brush the inside of the teeth.
6. Rotate the brush, so the bristles pass between the front teeth and the brush between the teeth.
7. Clean your tongue with gentle, gentle movements.
8. Spit out the rest of the paste.
9. Do not rinse your mouth with water, so the paste has time to act. Wait at least a few minutes. It is better to avoid eating or drinking after brushing for half an hour.

To remove all plaque, brush your teeth for at least two minutes. Electric toothbrushes often have a built-in timer to help keep track of the time. If there is no timer, you can put an hourglass in the bathroom or download a special application on your phone.

What else might be useful

Dental floss

In the interdental spaces, food often gets stuck, and plaque forms. This can cause bad breath and lead to cavities. Flossing is a simple and effective way to clean interdental spaces. Dentists from the UK recommend including it in your daily routine from the age of twelve.

You should use dental floss before brushing your teeth at least once daily. For cleaning, take about 40 centimeters of thread. Stretch a length of three to four centimeters between your fingers. Pull the floss between your teeth and move it up and down a few times. Then hold the clean section between your fingers and repeat the procedure with the next teeth.

Irrigator

A special device cleans the teeth with a pulsating jet of water. It does not replace regular brushing, but it helps to take better care of your oral cavity. The irrigator is advised for those who have braces, crowns, or implants. In other cases, it can be used as additional care if desired.

It would help if you treated your teeth with an irrigator before brushing. Pour clean, warm water into the tank of the appliance. Choose a comfortable pressure. There shouldn’t be any pain. Hold the nozzle so that the water hits at a right angle. Carefully line along the gums and interdental spaces. There is a lot of splashing during the procedure, so it is better to lean over the sink.

Mouthwash

This is an optional tool and cannot replace a toothbrush and floss. Depending on the active ingredients included in the composition, the rinse can remove an unpleasant odor, strengthen enamel, and relieve inflammation of the gums. For the tool to work, it is important to use it strictly according to the instructions on the package.

English dentists only advise rinsing your mouth after brushing your teeth – so the paste does not have time to work. Wait 20-30 minutes before using the rinse aid. You can also brush your teeth in the morning and evening and rinse your mouth with a special tool after dinner.