Why should you brush your teeth?
The oral cavity, in which the teeth are actually located, is the most infected of all cavities of the human body, and insufficient care for it can lead to dire consequences. Leftover food under the influence of bacteria will be subject to decay, rotting and fermentation. In addition, soft plaque will release acid, which destroys the enamel, resulting in the formation of caries. All this harms not only the teeth, but can also provoke diseases of the internal organs, reduce the body’s defenses and become a source of bad breath.
Do you need to brush your teeth? Of course, it's up to you to decide. Even ancient people, not knowing about the danger of caries, tried to clean their teeth after eating with the help of homemade toothpicks in the form of grass stems and chewed sticks. Unfortunately, throughout the existence of mankind, it has not been possible to teach everyone to take care of their oral cavity. It is still not uncommon to find “instances” who believe that brushing your teeth is a completely useless activity. For example, in China, half of the rural population has never even held a toothbrush in their hands. It is clear that the price for such negligence is the loss of teeth, and a toothless person has never been a role model in developed societies.
What is an irrigator
A device for removing plaque and food debris from the oral cavity using a stream of water under pressure. It is also used for gum massage. Tap water is not advisable for use in an irrigator. It should be boiled or well cleaned, at room temperature. Irrigators come in different models, portable and stationary. Irrigator operating modes:
- jet - under strong pressure of water, pieces of food are washed away;
- shower - lower pressure removes small particles;
- gum hydromassage mode.
Portable models are powered by a rechargeable battery, stationary models are powered by an electrical outlet with a set of individual attachments for several people. The irrigator does not replace daily brushing of teeth; it is recommended for use 2-3 times a week. Well suited for those who have dental crowns and bridges installed. Before using the device, people with cardiovascular diseases need to consult a doctor.
An irrigator is a modern device for maintaining oral hygiene at an extremely high level, which is preferably used after brushing your teeth with a toothbrush. Its action is to supply a thin stream of liquid under pressure into the interdental spaces, under fixed dentures.
How to brush your teeth correctly?
Improper brushing of teeth is a phenomenon whose scale is enormous. Almost all of us do not know how to brush our teeth the way we should. Despite the apparent simplicity of the process, there are a lot of “nominal” methods of brushing teeth in the world. All of them differ in the nature of movements, sequence and position of the brush relative to the teeth or gums. For example, the famous dentist Reite suggested placing the toothbrush at an angle of 90 degrees, and Stillman distinguished himself by recommending that when brushing your teeth, press as hard as possible on the gums. Fortunately, modern dentists have taken only the best from the works of their colleagues and reduced it to a few general rules on how to brush your teeth:
- The cleaning itself should last at least 3 minutes;
- The brush should be held at an angle of 45 degrees relative to the teeth and gums;
- In order not to spread germs throughout the oral cavity, it is recommended to divide the procedure into two parts: first brush the lower dentition, and then the upper one;
- You should start with the front teeth, gradually moving to the back teeth;
- The lower teeth are brushed from bottom to top, and the upper teeth from top to bottom;
- The chewing surface of the teeth is processed in a circular motion;
- After rinsing your mouth, don't forget to clean your tongue, where a lot of germs also accumulate. Remember that the tongue is covered with plaque, which is the same breeding ground for microbes as deposits on the teeth;
- At the end of the procedure, it is recommended to use mouth rinses;
It is recommended to brush your teeth twice a day: after breakfast and dinner. This is a classic of oral hygiene. But it’s no secret that the habit of carrying out hygiene procedures before the morning meal is not so uncommon. Many older people are accustomed to brushing their teeth in the morning before eating. They will have to do this after breakfast, or change their habit. Since no one can brush their teeth in a dream, in the evening brushing is done after dinner or the last meal. Of course, ideally you should brush your teeth even after lunch, but this is not always possible. You can get out of the situation by simply rinsing your mouth or chewing gum for 10 minutes, but no longer!
How many times a day should you brush your teeth?
How much to brush your teeth: twice a day or every time after meals is a common question that the dentist is asked. To answer it, let's figure out why this procedure is needed at all.
Teeth are brushed to remove pieces of food, remnants of drinks, and plaque from microbes. Microbes living in the mouth leave waste products on the enamel and tongue, which contain acids harmful to humans. And leftover food and drinks are a favorable environment for the growth and reproduction of these bacteria. When we use a brush, we remove everything unnecessary, preventing damage to the enamel and the development of caries.
It is not possible to get rid of these bacteria once and for all. But if you don’t forget about hygiene, bacteria will not lead to carious formations. And if you use a brush every time after eating, the growth of microbes will be slower.
So, it is recommended to perform the procedure at least twice a day:
● in the morning - to freshen breath, remove traces of bacterial activity that have accumulated overnight;
● in the evening – remove leftover food and drinks, get ready for bed. Saliva helps cleanse the mouth of bacteria, and when we sleep, the body produces much less saliva, so bacteria actively multiply. To reduce their activity, we recommend using antibacterial paste at night.
Should you brush your teeth before or after eating? In the morning, we recommend brushing before eating so that bacteria that have accumulated overnight do not enter the digestive system along with breakfast. After meals or snacks during the day, it is enough to use a special thread or mouthwash, but you can go over with a brush - it will not harm.
I brush my teeth with this brush
A good toothbrush plays a key role in maintaining oral hygiene. So you need to choose it carefully. The first thing you should focus on is the degree of rigidity. Those who are confident in the strength of their gums can use. Their rigidity provides the most powerful cleansing of plaque. But it should be preferred if you are predisposed to bleeding gums, so as not to further injure them. If this problem bothers you greatly, then you should think about starting treatment for gingivitis. But the most versatile brushes to use are medium-hard brushes. They suit most people. Remember that the cleaning head of the toothbrush should not be large, otherwise its effectiveness will be reduced.
When choosing between a regular brush and an electric one, know that experts have not proven which one will be healthier for your teeth. The definite advantage of an electric brush is that it is easier to use and also more convenient for the elderly and children. Otherwise, its benefits depend on how you manage it. An ultrasonic brush is considered the most effective. It usually has several ultrasound frequencies, which allows it to kill bacteria not only on the surface, but also at a depth of 5 mm under the gum. This will be a good addition to a set of measures for the treatment of periodontitis. Any, even the best toothbrush should be changed every 3-4 months.
Consequences of not brushing your teeth properly
Proper and timely cleaning of dental plaque is protection against oral diseases.
If you neglect it, the consequences will only increase: • Tartar forms. It gives off an unpleasant odor. If you do not carry out ultrasonic cleaning, it will become a favorite place for bacteria. • Bacteria will destroy the enamel. The abundance of pathogenic microorganisms quickly leads to caries. • Bacteria will cause your gums to become inflamed. Soft tissues are no less sensitive to them than hard ones. And this means bleeding, swelling and an unpleasant odor.
Possible complications are also worth mentioning. Caries develops into pulpitis, which requires removal of the nerve. This deprives the tooth of nutrition, as a result of which it sooner or later collapses. Progressive gingivitis is fraught with periodontitis and periodontal disease. Lack of oral hygiene leads to tooth loss. Restoring them is more expensive than the cost of a brush, paste and professional cleaning. Therefore, it is better to remember these simple rules and follow them.
Which toothpaste should I use to brush my teeth?
The main purpose of toothpastes is to enhance the cleaning effect of the mechanical action of a toothbrush on the teeth. Therefore, they are based on foaming agents and abrasives. However, toothpastes not only help cleanse the surface of the teeth, but also have a preventive and therapeutic effect, for which active substances are added to them. Many people wonder which toothpaste is best for brushing their teeth. The answer is simple - the one that suits you best.
When choosing a paste, you need to focus on the problems that bother you. For example, people with sensitive teeth may benefit from non-abrasive toothpastes containing potassium chloride or strontium chloride. For those who have gum problems, toothpastes with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects are recommended. For the general prevention of caries and periodontal diseases, each of us should brush our teeth with toothpastes containing fluoride. But you shouldn't use them all the time. Pastes with fluoride should be alternated with pastes without it, which will also be useful for people with fluorosis (dental disease caused by an excess of fluoride in drinking water).
Important point! For complete teeth cleaning, just a 5 mm strip of toothpaste is enough.
Duration of the procedure or how long you need to brush your teeth
Depending on the period, people perceived this issue differently. For example, home economics books from the 50s said that to properly brush your teeth, you need to make 150 to 200 strokes with a toothbrush. Only this amount will allow you to achieve a positive result. Modern medicine says that this procedure does not require so much time - 10 movements on each side will be quite enough. But this depends on many factors, ranging from the cleanser to the characteristics of the dentition.
Duration of brushing teeth
How long should you use toothpaste? The fact is that the effect of fluoride substances, which are found in some toothpastes, does not begin immediately after contact with the surface of the teeth, but only after 3 minutes. Therefore, if you use fluoride toothpaste, brushing your teeth should not last more than 3 minutes. When using regular paste, the duration of the procedure can vary from 3 to 4 minutes.
What does proper oral hygiene give us?
- Prevention of caries.
Microbes and food particles stuck in the interdental spaces negatively affect the enamel, gradually destroying it. - Elimination of unpleasant odor.
The gases released by bacteria have a very unpleasant odor. In addition, food particles remaining in the mouth begin to decompose over time. As a result, bad breath appears, and thorough brushing of teeth perfectly freshens breath. - Remineralization of enamel.
Using strengthening toothpastes with a mineralizing effect will help strengthen the enamel and make teeth less susceptible to acid attack. - Healing and soft tissue massage.
The stability of teeth directly depends on the condition of the gums, and daily brushing prevents inflammatory processes in soft tissues and improves the overall condition of the oral cavity. - Prevention of diseases.
Microorganisms living in the oral cavity can cause ENT diseases, such as tonsillitis. Poor hygiene will contribute to this.
