As a general rule, dentists recommend to brush your teeth after every meal: morning, noon and night. However, brushing more than three times a day can lead to gum problems and damage to the enamel. Brushing your teeth well is not only a matter of personal concern, but also the only way to maintain good oral health and avoid major pain. Taking care of your teeth means taking care of every gum.
Here is an expert guide with advice that will help you understand the risks of bad techniques and how to change your habits. You will also discover which toothbrushes are the most suitable for everyday use.
What is bad tooth brushing?
Effective brushing is essential for good health. However, you may not know what bad habits you need to banish to avoid pain and the risk of dental disease.
Here are the techniques to ban:
- Move only from left to right
- Regular use of whitening toothpaste that damages the enamel.
- Using a toothbrush with hard bristles that do not protect the gums from oral aggression.
What are the risks of bad tooth brushing ?
Here is a list of risks linked to poor tooth brushing. They require appropriate treatment, which your doctor will be able to give you during your consultation in the surgery.
The occurrence of caries: tooth decay
Tooth decay is very common. The cavities attack the tooth right down to the root. In the last stage of development, these can be very painful and cause abscesses. Rapid intervention by a dentist is recommended to prevent its development and the possible loss of the decayed tooth. The dentist will provide appropriate treatment to limit the risk of further decay.
Gum inflammation: gingivitis
It promotes the appearance of gingivitis. This inflammation is linked to a bacterial infection caused by plaque that forms on teeth. Initially, it is characterised by inflamed gums, gum bleeding and bad breath. In the case of gingivitis, foods such as tomatoes or citrus fruits should be avoided. They are far too acidic.
Periodontitis
It causes the teeth to loosen. This disease is bacterial in origin. It leads to the destruction of the bone that supports the teeth. It can lead to the loss of teeth if it is not treated quickly.
Cardiovascular disease
Dental health is closely linked to cardiovascular health. It has been proven that not brushing your teeth frequently allows bacteria to reach the bloodstream more easily. This leads to a risk of inflammation in the body which causes irregular heartbeat, atrial fibrillation and heart failure.
If you were using a Y-Brush toothbrush this might never have happened. The advantage of using this type of toothbrush is that it removes 15% more plaque than a traditional toothbrush.
What dental equipment should be used to remedy poor tooth brushing?
1 - dental hydropulators
These are oral irrigation devices. They propel water between the gums and the teeth. They allow food and bacteria to be eradicated. They remove acid from the teeth. They can replace or simply be used with dental floss. This is a thin wire that is inserted between the teeth. However, they are not a substitute for using a good toothbrush. They also work if you have braces.
2 - Mouthwashes
These are aqueous or hydroalcoholic solutions that contain active ingredients designed to eliminate bacteria from the mouth. They thoroughly clean hard-to-reach areas. They are used two to three times a day. It is important to choose a mouthwash that is alcohol-free and antiseptic-free so that it does not dry out your mouth. Mouthwashes without fluoride are recommended for people with sensitive teeth. They allow you to feel less pain when brushing your teeth.
3 - Interdental brushes
This is an effective way of cleaning between the teeth. They complement the work of an electric or manual toothbrush. Their main function is to help prevent cavities and gum problems. It also helps to keep a better breath throughout the day. Several sizes and diameters are available depending on the interdental space. Only the dentist knows which ones are right for you. He will therefore give you the most suitable advice.
4- The tongue scraper
This is the essential accessory for fighting bad breath. It allows you to scrape your tongue to get rid of any bacteria that may be present. It gives your tongue a pinkish colour. For its action to be perfectly effective, it is necessary to avoid the consumption of alcohol, tobacco or coffee. It is important to think about starting at the back of the tongue to remove most of the deposits. The current models allow you to scrape your tongue with one hand only.
5- Plaque developer
This is a dye that comes in the form of tablets or liquid. It helps to strengthen the enamel. It is placed inside the mouth after brushing. It is best used for one week. It will show you the area where you need to brush your teeth longer to make it disappear. After each use, you must not forget to rinse your mouth.
6- toothpastes tablets
Chewable toothpastes come in the form of tablets. They help to combat cavities. They also remineralise the teeth and reduce tartar formation. They help prevent tooth and gum disease. Their rapid action gives an almost instantaneous whitening effect.
A toothpaste tablet is much more efficient with a Y-Brush toothbrush. This is because it has several vibration modes, depending on the sensitivity of the teeth or the need for brushing.
How do babies and children brush their teeth properly?
It is important that a child has good dental hygiene. The gestures learned in childhood will become automatic later on. The methods vary according to the age of the child. Their dental sensitivity or hypersensitivity must be taken into account. Sensitivity is not the same for an adult, a child or a baby. For brushing to be effective, they should not eat acidic foods.
Here are some instructions from the French Union for Oral Health on how to teach your child to take care of their teeth:
From 6 months
This is the time when your child's first teeth are coming in. It is recommended to brush them gently without forgetting the gums. However, you should not use fluoride toothpaste before your child is 18 months old. Only water should be used when brushing.
From 3 to 5 years
It is recommended to make movements in the 4 main areas of the teeth. The child should use a low fluoride toothpaste. They can use an electric toothbrush which is much easier to handle.
From the age of 6 years
It is recommended to brush at least twice, in the morning and in the evening. The duration of brushing should be 2 minutes: at noon and in the evening. He should use a soft toothbrush as it preserves the enamel. In addition, he can use a fluorinated toothpaste. Toothbrushes with soft bristles should be preferred.
From the age of 9
It is advisable to let your child brush his or her teeth alone, but with supervision. After brushing, he should rinse his mouth with clear water. They should keep a certain amount of fluoride on their teeth. He should make rolling movements.
If children's teeth are not cleaned properly, they can get hand-foot-mouth syndrome. This is a contagious disease characterised by the presence of papulovesicles.
Furthermore, good tooth brushing is always facilitated by the use of an effective children's toothbrush. The child will have no particular problem holding the toothbrush. The Y-Brush toothbrush indicates the movements to be made to brush the teeth particularly well.
We hope that this guide will help you to understand how you should brush to maintain good oral hygiene so that you are as healthy as possible and do not experience any dental pain.
