Daily dental and oral care is an important part of dental health. How to properly brush teeth for adults and children, what additional hygiene products do dentists recommend using? We will talk about this in the article.

IN THIS ARTICLE
How long should I brush my teeth?
Which brush should you use?
Which paste to choose?
We brush our teeth with a regular brush correctly
How to brush your teeth with an electric toothbrush?
The most common mistakes when brushing your teeth

Regular and correct brushing helps remove more than 60% of plaque and protects gum health. At the same time, dentists note that many people do not properly care for the oral cavity, which increases the risk of developing caries, periodontitis, and other dental diseases. It is important not only to brush your teeth properly twice a day but also to do it according to all the rules.

How long should I brush my teeth?

According to the recommendations of dentists, you need to brush your teeth for at least two minutes, evenly distributing this time between the four quadrants of the mouth. 30 seconds for each half of the lower and upper jaw. If you use a regular brush, an hourglass or a timer on your mobile phone will help you control the cleaning time. Electric brush users are assisted by a built-in timer that emits a short vibration or musical signal every 30 seconds and a long signal – two minutes after the start of the procedure.

With a cleaning time of two minutes, plaque, food debris and other contaminants can be thoroughly removed. But the experience of doctors shows that many people strive to complete the cleaning faster. As a result, unremoved dental plaque remains on the enamel surface, which contributes to the multiplication of microbes, the development of caries and gum pathologies.

If you want to avoid such problems, you should not shorten the time of the hygiene procedure – you need to brush your teeth for at least two minutes.

Which brush should you use?

Both conventional and electric toothbrushes are suitable for cleaning teeth . The first ones are distinguished by a low price, are available to absolutely everyone, and are suitable for children under three years old. Electric effects on dirt in the oral cavity more intensively, remove more plaque, better clean the interdental spaces, but they are not recommended for children under three years of age and for some diseases.

When choosing any brush – regular or electric – you need to take into account the age, condition of the teeth, and gums. Children choose brushes with ultra-soft short bristles with rounded tips that will not scratch the delicate enamel of children and injure delicate gums. Adults with sensitive teeth are advised to choose a soft-bristled brush. For those who have healthy teeth and gums and do not have a strong plaque, medium-hard bristles are suitable. To combat strong plaque and tartar, choose hard and very hard brushes. An important condition is that the bristles must be synthetic. It has a softer effect on the gums, dries faster, and bacteria accumulate in it much more slowly. It is good if the brush has a non-slip rubberized handle. Such models lie well in the hand and are comfortable to use, especially for children.

Any brush should be replaced quarterly. The usual one is changed entirely; for electrical replacement, removable nozzles are subject to.

Which paste to choose?

To brush your teeth, a toothbrush is not enough, you need to choose the right paste . Firstly, it prevents scratching of enamel and gum surfaces, softening the effects of bristles and increasing user comfort. Secondly, good pastes, due to special components and abrasives, soften and mechanically remove plaque, it becomes easier to remove it with a brush. Thirdly, they contain substances that help to strengthen the enamel, prevent bleeding gums, and have a therapeutic effect on the oral cavity.

A paste with a firming effect should contain fluoride; people with sensitive gums are usually prescribed pastes with anti-inflammatory components. For those who do not have dental problems, hygienic pastes are suitable – they do not have a therapeutic effect, but only help to remove plaque and deodorize the oral cavity to ensure fresh breath.

Brush your teeth correctly with a toothbrush and a little paste. For adults, 1 cm is enough for one cleaning, for children 4-6 years old – one pea, and for children 2-3 years old – an amount of paste the size of a grain of rice. Too much paste cannot be used because an excess of active ingredients can harm the teeth. In particular, an excess of fluorides can lead to the development of such a pathological condition as fluorosis, in which dark spots and stripes appear on the teeth.

We brush our teeth with a regular brush correctly

Stick to the following algorithm: 

Position the brush head at a 45 degree angle to the surface of your teeth.
Begin brushing from the outer surface of the lower arch, moving from the outermost teeth to the central ones. Remove dirt and plaque with a sweeping motion from the gum to the edge of the tooth. When finished with the outer surface, use the same sweeping motion to clean the inner side.
Treat the teeth of the upper jaw in the same way.
To clean the chewing surfaces, position the brush so that it covers the entire chewing side of the tooth. Clean it in a back and forth motion, moving from one tooth to another. Perform the procedure alternately for the upper and lower jaw.
Massage your gums. To do this, close your jaws and brush in a circular motion over the surface of the teeth and gums.

Brush your tongue. With the back, raised side of the brush or bristles, slowly brush from the root to the tip of the tongue, removing plaque. Repeat at least four times. In the same way, the inner surface of the cheeks should be cleaned of plaque.
Rinse out your mouth.
Use dental floss to remove food debris and better clean the interdental spaces . Wind a small section around your fingertips and run it up and down several times. Be careful not to damage your gums.
For better cleaning of interdental spaces, gingival pockets, care of crowns or braces, use an irrigator .

How to brush your teeth with an electric toothbrush?

The scheme for brushing your teeth with an electric toothbrush differs from the usual manual brushing. The electric brushes have a built-in motor, and the sound and ultrasonic models also have a high frequency generator. They cause high-frequency pulsation of the bristles, the movement of the cleaning head, due to which cleaning occurs.

The user does not need to press on the toothbrush, make sweeping or circular movements, because the electric model copes with these tasks on its own. To brush your teeth, you need to moisten the bristles, apply a little toothpaste to it, place the brush in your mouth, turn it on and simply move it without pressure and unnecessary movements from one tooth to another.

Note that the cleaning technique may differ depending on the type of electric brush (rotary, sonic, ultrasonic ). Therefore, the exact way of correct use should be read in the instructions for the specific model before the first use.

The most common mistakes when brushing your teeth

Skipping the evening cleaning.
Some people find it sufficient to brush their teeth once a day – in the morning when they go to work. It is not right. Little saliva is produced at night, so food debris is washed off the surface of the teeth, and bacteria actively multiply in them. They produce acids that damage teeth and gases that cause unpleasant odors.

Rare brush replacement.
Over time, the bristles wear out and cleaning is no longer effective. In addition, over time, even synthetic bristles accumulate germs, so it is important to change the brush or attachment every three months.

Too much pressure.
Brushing your teeth with a regular brush requires moderate pressure, otherwise you can damage the enamel and gums. The electric brush practically does not need to be pressed, it is only slightly pressed against the surface of the teeth.

Below is a list of 10 helpful tips to take on board if you want your teeth to be healthy and beautiful.

1. Thorough cleaning

This is the easiest and most affordable way to keep your mouth clean. All you need to do is hold your toothbrush at a 45 degree angle to the gum line. That is, both gum lines, as well as the surface of the teeth, should be in close contact with the bristles of the brush. Bring your jaws together and use back and forth, up and down movements to begin brushing the outer surfaces of your teeth. Do not apply too much pressure on the toothbrush – you can damage your gums. To clean the inner surface of the teeth, position the brush at a 45-degree angle to the gum line and teeth. The movements are the same: up and down, back and forth. Do not forget about the tongue and palate – they are often the main cause of bad breath (poor hygiene contributes to the active multiplication of bacteria, which, in turn, It is recommended that you brush your teeth at least twice a day to prevent excessive acid build-up, a result of bacteria breaking down food. If, for any reason, you cannot fully cleanse your mouth, then it will be useful to rinse your mouth with water after each meal. This will remove food debris from your teeth, depriving the bacteria of the nutrient substrate.

2. Dental floss

Many will say that it is too tedious and tedious to floss after every snack or meal. Many people simply forget, others neglect this simple procedure. But in vain. After all, only dental floss can penetrate the most inaccessible places, unlike the most professional brush or rinse aid. Dental floss perfectly cleans the interdental space, removes plaque, removes food debris. Dentists recommend flossing at least once a day.

3. Quit smoking

Believe me, your teeth will thank you so much! First, quitting smoking will save you from possible oral cancer and various periodontal complications. Secondly, you will reduce the use of lollipops, gum, tea, coffee, since there will be no need to mask the tobacco smell. This is also a big plus for dental health.

4. Limit consumption of carbonated drinks, coffee, alcohol

The fact is that all these drinks contain a lot of phosphorus. And although it is a useful mineral for the oral cavity, it causes a calcium deficiency in large quantities, which entails serious problems with teeth and gums. Caries also develops due to a lack of calcium in the body. Also, these drinks often contain various additives such as corn syrup and food colors – they are very harmful to tooth enamel. Even the whitest smile will quickly fade if you do not limit the use of sweet soda, coffee and alcohol. Milk is what is needed to strengthen the enamel and nourish the dental tissue. Do not forget about clean water – it will nourish your body with life-giving moisture and help maintain healthy teeth.

5. Calcium and other vitamins are essential for oral health

Calcium is essential to maintain a beautiful smile. Lots of calcium. This mineral is very important not only for teeth, but also for bones. Include milk, freshly squeezed orange juice, yogurt, broccoli, cottage cheese, and other dairy products in your diet. You may want to consider taking additional nutritional supplements and vitamin complexes, but only after consulting your doctor. Remember: Calcium and Vitamin D are good for teeth and gums. Vitamin B plays an important role in protecting the oral cavity: it prevents bleeding and cracking of the gums. Copper, zinc, iodine, iron, and potassium are also essential for proper oral hygiene.

6. Visit your dentist regularly

It is necessary to visit the dentist at least twice a year for preventive examinations and hygiene procedures. In addition, it is necessary to take an X-ray of the oral cavity from time to time in order to exclude or detect any pathologies.

7. Use a mouthwash

Not all rinses help. You need to choose exactly the liquid that suits you. For example, Listerine mouthwashes contain chlorine dioxide, which is very beneficial for teeth because it kills bacteria, removes plaque, and prevents bad breath. Of course, you will not be able to achieve perfect oral hygiene with rinse aid alone, but as a finishing touch, after daily manipulations with a toothbrush and floss, it is perfect.

8. If you have a toothache

If you have a toothache, do not delay your visit to the dentist. The doctor diagnoses the cause of the pain and removes it. Don’t wait until a minor discomfort develops into a major problem.

9. Problems with teeth can provoke serious diseases

We all need to pay great attention to the state of the oral cavity, because it is the teeth and gums that are an indicator of the level of general health. Dental problems can lead to diabetes, diseases of the cardiovascular system, various infections, as well as speech defects and inability to chew food. Crooked teeth cause inflammation of the gums, which in turn can lead to tooth loss. Remember: straight teeth are not just for beauty.

10. Be sure to clean your tongue

The tongue should be cleaned daily. With the help of a special tongue brush, you can remove pathogenic bacteria from the tongue surface, which are the cause of many diseases and infections. In addition, due to the vital activity of bacteria, bad breath (halitosis) appears on the rough surface of the tongue.