Dr. Hassan Sagir and the team of Medstom Dental Clinic give you some tips on how to brushing teeth properly
Brushing teeth.
It is very important to brush your teeth to prevent caries and bad breath. But what if it turns out that the way we do it can actually increase the chance of teeth decaying?
Most patients listen to their doctor's advice when brushing their teeth, but make mistakes when performing them, which lead to unsatisfactory results for their personal oral hygiene.
Here are some of the most common mistakes when brushing your teeth.
1. Improper approach to brushing teeth
You should hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the surfaces and make small, circular motions. You can perform horizontal movements only for the chewing surfaces of the teeth. Focus on a small area and then move on to another. You start brushing teeth from the gums to the teeth (from red to white area).
2. Incorrect brushing teeth selection
It is very important to use a suitable toothbrush. A soft brush is suitable for sensitive necks and gums, but it does not clean well enough. Hard, on the other hand, can injure soft tissues.
The best option is a medium brush (medium hardness). You can also use an electric toothbrush, but not constantly. The toothbrush retains microorganisms (streptococcs and staphylococcs), so it needs to be replaced every three months or when its fibers are distorted.
3. Incorrect choice of paste for cleaning teeth
Every toothpaste is different. Some take care of the sensitivity of your teeth, others strengthen the gums, while others are whitening and maintain the colour of the teeth.
There are also abrasive pastes that are not recommended for frequent use. To find out which toothpaste is right for your teeth, consult your dentist.
4. When you do not brushing teeth long enough
The optimal time we recommend for brushing teeth is 2-3 minutes. You can use a clock or an electric brush with a counter to make sure you spend enough time.
5. You brushing teeth too hard
Pressing with the brush on the teeth does not mean that you brush them better. On the contrary, it is much more likely to damage tooth enamel and cause future cervical defects. Sensitivity of the gums can also occur.
6. You do not watch how you cleaning teeth
It is important to watch in the mirror how you brush your teeth. Especially important is the line between the gum and the tooth, where dental plaque is retained and can cause periodontal disease. Make sure that the brush head of your teeth reaches the back teeth and cleans their chewing surfaces well. If something bothers you, you notice spots, discoloration, abrasion, a broken part of a filling or tooth, tell your dentist.
7. You do not floss or interdental brushing teeth
The interdental brush or floss enters the interdental spaces, where food debris or plaque most often accumulates. This is where caries most often develops at the points of contact between the teeth. Using these oral agents can reduce the risk of caries.
Consult your dentist for the number of the interdental brush to use and how to floss.
8. You do not use mouthwashes or gels for oral hygiene for brushing teeth
The use of mouthwash is extremely important for good oral hygiene.
We recommend that you use antibacterial water, but not every day. A day, two or the first 10 days of the month is enough, because the ingredients in the mouthwash also kill bacteria that are needed to maintain your oral health.
Mouthwashes can also be replaced with oral hygiene gels to massage your gums after brushing teeth.
