How to brush your teeth effectively

Brush your teeth wellBrushing effectively is essential to avoid unpleasant surprises. But it's never a question of strength, especially in movement, or simply duration. What matters is the method, made up of small details, including the choice of toothbrush and toothpaste, the frequency, and the time needed for effective teeth cleaning. Furthermore, don't underestimate the help that can come from hygiene products that complement the toothbrush: dental floss, interdental brushes, and mouthwash.

Tips for brushing your teeth well

To brush your teeth properly, you don't need any special products, just simple gestures, sometimes just common sense. These should be done regularly. These are the ten essential tips for cleaning your teeth well.

• La frequencyTeeth should be brushed at least twice a day, in the morning after breakfast and in the evening after dinner. It's advisable, especially for people who eat frequently throughout the day, to brush after every meal. However, be careful not to brush immediately after meals; it's best to wait at least twenty minutes, if possible.
• La toothbrush choiceBetter to prefer toothbrushes with small, tapered heads because they can reach every corner, with flexible bristles, and a comfortable non-slip handle. Be careful with the bristles, especially in case of sensitive gums They must be soft. Avoid using the same toothbrush for too long. Change it at least every 3 months and remember that you can recycle it. To keep it in good condition, be sure to clean the bristles properly by rinsing them under running water. Then, let it dry in an upright position. Avoid covering it with plastic toothbrush covers, which can cause moisture to build up on the bristles and encourage the growth of bacteria and mold.
• La choice of toothpasteIt depends on the type of teeth, so it's best to consult your dentist, who knows your mouth better than anyone else. Generally speaking, those who tend to have cavities should choose toothpastes that prevent cavities and contain fluoride, which is very useful for protecting them from bacteria. For those with delicate gums, a toothpaste for sensitive gums is ideal. Remember, it's not necessary to use excessive amounts of toothpaste For it to be effective, a little goes a long way. Toothpaste must contain fluoride: for children over six years old, the amount is 1.450 ppm (parts per million), and for children under six, the amount is 1.000 ppm.
• Il correct movement. Pay attention to the way you brush your teeth and Teach the right way to children too. You should place it on the upper arch above the gum, gently moving downwards, continuing all the way to the bottom and brushing all the teeth. Then you move on to the inside. And you do the same, but from bottom to top, with the lower arch teeth, brushing them inside as well.
• The right time. Teeth should be brushed for at least three minutes, twice a day, in the morning and in the evening.

Tools for brushing your teeth well

Along with the toothbrush, there are other small, easy-to-use tools that can be very useful for proper teeth cleaning, which also allows us to save on the cost of periodic oral hygiene visits to the dentist.

• • Possible advantages of the electric toothbrush. An electric toothbrush isn't necessarily better than a manual one. But because the bristles move, vibrate, and oscillate, they remove plaque and food debris more effectively. Brushing is also easier. Like a manual toothbrush, an electric toothbrush should have soft bristles to avoid damaging enamel and gums. The most advanced models come with a timer and a pressure sensor that warns you if you're brushing too hard.
  • Dental floss. Many people forget about it, but dental floss is truly valuable for maintaining dental health because it helps more effectively remove plaque and food debris from between teeth. It should be used at least once a day. The floss should slide between the teeth while applying pressure toward one of the two teeth, not toward the gum.
  • The bottle brush. It's recommended for large spaces, but generally not recommended for young, healthy teeth. The interdental brush should be inserted horizontally, using repeated movements from tooth to tooth. The size of the brush can vary, and it's important to choose the model best suited to the size of your interdental spaces.
  • Clean the tongue. To eliminate bacteria and have a pleasant breath, use a tongue cleaner.
  • Il mouthwashUsing mouthwash is an excellent way to strengthen your teeth's hygiene and keep them fresher throughout the day. Its function is to completely eliminate plaque residue. How is it used? Once a day, after brushing your teeth, rinsing your mouth and avoiding products containing alcohol. Mouthwash may be prescribed by your dentist in specific cases: extreme tooth sensitivity, risk of tooth decay, reflux, or vomiting Frequent, mineral deficiencies in the teeth. Try using natural mouthwashes, avoiding products containing alcohol or chlorhexidine.

How to know if your teeth have been brushed well

To understand if your teeth have been brushed well, there are some quick and easy checks to do:

• La roughness of the teeth, a sign of plaque. You can tell by running your tongue over it.
• What does nail polish look like?: when clean it tends to reflect under good light.
• Observe the language, if it has a yellowish-white patina, the cleaning is evidently not adequate.
• Observe the spaces between the teeth, which must be free and open.

When to change your toothbrush

Every time we brush our teeth, we should rinse our toothbrush for a few seconds afterward. It's very simple: just hold it under the tap and shake it to remove all residue. It shouldn't be stored indoors, but in a glass on the sink in the open air. Methodically washing your toothbrush prolongs its life, but don't overdo it. Toothbrush bristles, where bacteria can nest, wear out, becoming less flexible and less effective. This is a good reason to change your toothbrush regularly every three months. It's easy to tell when a change is overdue: the bristles appear frayed and worn.

Read also:

• How to whiten your teeth naturally
• Foods that are good for your teeth
• Cavities: Causes, Remedies, and Prevention