Brushing your teeth is an act that we learn as a child and that we all think of mastering. And yet, between the ideal brushing duration, the position of the toothbrush and the choice of toothpaste, there are many subtleties to which it is necessary to pay attention. Dr. Christophe Lequart, dental surgeon and spokesperson for the UFSBD, as well as Dr. Gérald Kierzek, medical director of True Medical, remind us of the right gestures to take care of his smile.
Two brushes per day, to take care of his teeth
Our diet attacks our teeth daily, after each meal. Ideally, they should therefore be cleaned three times a day. But for many, it is impossible to brush your teeth for lunch.
Experts have therefore revised their requirements downwards and now recommend two brushes of two minutes a day, morning and evening. An essential gesture to limit the formation of dental plaque and keep a good mouth.
“”To find out if you respect this duration, you can time the brushing simply or possibly use an electric toothbrush that records the time of use. For your child, the use of a hourglass or an application helps the good brushing duration and makes this moment more fun “ Can we read on the health insurance site.
How to choose your toothbrush and toothpaste well?
It is imperative to equip themselves well, to take care of your teeth and its gums. The choice of the toothbrush is essential. “”Avoid hard brushes that attack the gums“Recommended Dr Lequart, in a previous article.
Favor flexible models, capable of cleaning in depth without irritating. For children or people with specific needs, electric models can be effective.
For toothpaste, keep in mind that fluoride is your best ally.
“”The toothpaste must contain fluorine because it is an trace element (present in the natural state in the composition of the teeth) which has the property of strengthening the mineral structure of the enamel. Thanks to fluorine, enamel will be less sensitive to acid attacks, we reduce the carieur risks thanks to it “ Dr Lequart still explains.
Be careful however for the youngest: toddlers must avoid fluoridated toothpaste before 6 years. Adults will be able to adapt their choice according to their specific needs.
Good gestures for perfect brushing
A good brushing with a manual toothbrush is not just a quick back and forth. To clean properly, here is the precise technique to follow:
- Brush the upper and lower jaw separately;
- Adopt a roller movement, by tilting your brush at 45 °;
- Always follow a systematic route to forget any tooth.
Also pay attention to frequent errors. Do not brush your teeth horizontally, rub too hard or open your mouth too large. A slightly closed mouth, soft and regular gestures, and two minutes of patience: this is the key!
To use a rechargeable electric toothbrushstart by applying toothpaste on the head of the brush and position it against the outer surfaces of your teeth. Then activate the electric brush and clean each tooth individually. The small heads of the electric brushes are designed to target one tooth at a time, depending on their size. Move the brush along the exterior, interior and chewing teeth. Unlike a manual brush, it is not necessary to make movements from top to bottom or back and forth. With an electric brush, just guide it without rubbing or applying pressure to obtain effective cleaning. Some brushes make it possible to ensure sufficient brushing time, or even avoid overly aggressive brushes via a small alarm.
After a meal, it is advisable to wait thirty minutes before going to the brushing stage, to let the acidity diminish.
Important point: avoid wet your brush before applying toothpaste. “Moidify your brush decreases the adhesion capacity of toothpaste“Specifies Dr. Kierzek.
Why brushing alone is not enough for good dental hygiene
Even the best brushing does not replace the use of additional accessories. As Dr. Kierzek recalls, “Dental wire, interdental brushes and water jet complete deep cleaning “.
The dental wire eliminates the residues stuck between the teeth, the brushes are perfect for the wide spaces left by off -knocked teeth or prostheses and the jet of dental water, soft but powerful, helps to complete cleaning without injuring the gums.
Finally, last piece of advice: avoid rinsing your mouth with large water, immediately after brushing. According to Dr. Kierzek, “rinse your mouth after brushing your teeth removes protective agents from toothpaste“. It is just better to spit out the excess.
Finally, do not forget to replace your toothbrush every three months (or less, if it is damaged or you have been sick) and let it dry in the air to limit bacterial proliferation. Here you now know how to follow, for effective and protective brushing for your teeth.
Oral health: alarming figures in France
96 % of French people have already faced oral health problems, reveals a study by Oral-B and Toluna-Harris Interactive. Dental sensitivity (77 %), cavities (76 %) and bleeding of the gums (70 %) are among the main conditions encountered.
However, despite an important awareness – 9 out of 10 French people declare to take care of their teeth – everyday gestures remain imperfect.
Thus, 40 % of French people admit that they do not always brush their teeth in the evening, often by oblivion or laziness, and 80 % systematically forget to clean an area of their mouth.
According to a clinical study, an electric toothbrush can remove up to twice as much dental plaque as a manual brushing made during the same period, while reducing the risk of bleeding of the gums.Source : Oral-B press release on the occasion of the launch of the IO2 ™ electric toothbrush, designed to effectively support good oral hygiene practices.