If you're here, it's because you know that brushing your teeth properly is the only way to maintain good oral hygiene. In fact, you probably know that it is recommended to brush your teeth at least twice a day, but you want to know how to do it so that you don't have pain or bleeding when you brush your teeth. This will prevent you from having serious oral problems.
Here is a guide that includes several elements that will help you understand why and how to brush your teeth properly.
Brushing your teeth every day for good oral health
Brushing your teeth every day and several times a day is a must for good oral health. It is important to keep in mind all the benefits of brushing your teeth.
Here are the advantages of a good tooth brushing:
Limiting the appearance of dental plaque
It is important to limit the appearance of this film made up of saliva, bacteria and food on and between the teeth. It is the cause of many oral problems such as dental caries, gingivitis and periodontitis.
To have white teeth
Brushing your teeth with an appropriate toothbrush on a regular basis will whiten them. This is the only way to avoid yellowing of the teeth, which promotes tooth decay. You can also opt for an effective toothpaste in a tube that will help you gain whiteness.
Limit stains
A daily brushing of quality makes it possible to limit the appearance of tasks on the teeth. This is the only way for you to keep your smile bright and your teeth white. To do this, you must brush the top of your teeth and the side of your tongue at least 10 times.
Maintain optimal tooth brushing time
Previously, recommendations for optimal brushing time included 3 brushings of 3 minutes each. However, dentists realized that this goal was not achievable. They therefore decided to recommend brushing twice a day, in the morning and in the evening.
Each brushing should last 2 minutes. The morning brushing should be done after breakfast and not before. It is recommended to wait 30 minutes after breakfast to brush your teeth because the food you eat is usually acidic, which weakens the tooth enamel. The other alternative is to rinse your teeth with water before brushing.
However, you can brush your teeth in less time if you have an electric toothbrush which allows an effective brushing in 10 seconds. This is the case, for example, with the Y-Brush toothbrush, which removes 15% more plaque than a traditional toothbrush.
Brush your tongue properly
It is important to brush your tongue in order to get rid of all the remains of food that bacteria feed on and that can create dental caries. In fact, it is not the fact of consuming particular foods that causes bad breath but especially the fact of eating without brushing your teeth properly.
You can brush your tongue in several ways:
- By using your toothbrush and brushing on and off for about a minute.
- Using a special tongue brush for about a minute on top and underneath.
- By using a spoon and using the same techniques as above.
- Using a mouthwash regularly. This technique is not only effective for the teeth and gums but also for the tongue.
Use interdental brushes
Interdental brushes are accessories recommended by dentists and orthodontists. They are small toothbrushes. They are used in addition to your usual brushing. They allow you to do a complete cleaning of your entire dentition. However, their main objective is to eliminate food residues and dental plaque that accumulate between your teeth. In fact, they reach the most difficult areas to access with a manual or electric toothbrush. These spaces are of great importance since they represent 30% of the dental surfaces. It allows a deep cleaning of the concave surfaces and the gum line.
Do not rinse your mouth after brushing your teeth
There are many techniques or equipment that allow you to take care of your teeth, such as: using dental floss, interdental brushes, a tongue scraper, consulting your dentist at least once a year or brushing your teeth twice a day. However, rinsing your mouth after brushing your teeth to remove toothpaste is not a good idea. Indeed, the more fluorides contained in the toothpaste will be in contact with the teeth, the more effective they will be to reinforce the enamel and allow the remineralization of carious lesions. This is why it is better to spit out your toothpaste rather than rinse it out.
Use the Bass brushing technique
The Bass brushing technique is one of the most popular brushing techniques recommended by dentists. It is considered a dental care technique whose main purpose is to help prevent and control the spread of gum disease. It allows you to brush well around and under the gum line where bacteria and plaque accumulate and are therefore much more difficult to clean. In addition, this brushing technique also allows you to reach the underside of the gums to effectively remove plaque so that it does not turn into tartar and lead to gum disease.
The technique is very simple: You must place the toothbrush parallel to the teeth so that the bristles face the gums. Tilt the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle and move it under the gum line in a circular motion. It is important to move to the next area each time until you have brushed the entire mouth. Finally, you should brush the outer surface of the teeth and tongue.
Quick tip: It's easier to get between the teeth if you hold the toothbrush upright and use the bristles on the toe side of the brush. It's important to make sure they reach the gum tissue. This will allow you to remove deposits and other food debris from between your teeth.
Teaching your children to brush properly
1) Brushing your child's teeth according to his age
- Before age 2: Teach your child to brush in circular motions from top to bottom with a soft-bristled brush that won't irritate the gums.
- From age 2: Get your child used to brushing after every meal with a toothpaste that contains a low concentration of fluoride to prevent indigestion.
- Around 3-4 years: Make sure he brushes his teeth in a back-and-forth motion from the incisors to the molars. He should use a low-fluoride toothpaste and a toothbrush that fits comfortably in his hand.
- At age 6: Have him brush twice a day for 2 minutes. Toothpaste should contain a higher concentration of fluoride and toothbrush bristles should be soft.
2) Brushing your autistic child's teeth
- Get your child used to the toothbrush : and also the sensation of brushing at a young age.
- Rub the toothbrush on his or her hand: it's important to show him or her the sensation before trying a more sensitive area like the mouth.
- Keep the toothbrush in his mouth: This will help him get used to the sensation of having the brush in his mouth.
- Demonstrate on a stuffed animal: Take a stuffed animal with teeth and show them how to brush their teeth.
We hope this guide has helped you understand how brushing your teeth will help you maintain good oral hygiene. It's important to brush your teeth either in optimal time or with an effective electric toothbrush that allows you to do so in record time. We hope you also understand how to brush your tongue and use interdental brushes. Remember that rinsing your mouth after brushing your teeth is not recommended. In addition, the Bass brushing technique is recommended for both children and adults.
