How to brush your teeth correctly according to dentists: most Spaniards don't do it.

According to the Population Survey: Oral Health in Spain, 79% of respondents say they brush their teeth at least twice a day , even though they know that brushing should be the same number of times as the number of daily meals. That is, if you eat, you should brush your teeth after a reasonable amount of time.

Why we brush our teeth wrong

We often brush our teeth incorrectly because we don't brush often enough , we don't use a good brushing technique, and we don't use supplements after brushing , such as mouthwash or flossing. This leads to plaque buildup over the long term . We also don't reach the back molars properly because the teeth are more hidden, making it more difficult to reach.

Dental hygienist Cristopher García tells us at 20Minutos from the Odontomax Dental Clinic that there are different ways to brush your teeth. He has divided them into three techniques :

Also, don't forget tongue brushing , also known as "lingual brushing," which involves sweeping the tongue outwards, starting from the middle of the tongue with the bristles of the brush towards the throat.

Brush type and bristles

To brush your teeth, you need an oral toothbrush . As you know, there are two types of toothbrushes: manual and electric . The latter, according to the dental hygienist, is more recommended because it removes more plaque in less time than a manual toothbrush, and poses a lower risk of tooth erosion.

Additionally, you should pay attention to the different bristle shapes available on toothbrushes. Depending on the material, there are four bristle shapes : extra-soft, soft, medium, and hard, depending on the user's oral condition. Patients with more sensitive teeth should use a soft-bristled brush, while those without sensitivity should use a medium-bristled brush.

Recommendations for oral hygiene

Oral hygiene is essential and should be performed after every meal, but especially at night . Brushing before bed is one of the most important cleaning procedures. It's important to remember that saliva protects teeth from bacteria , and saliva production decreases at night while we sleep, increasing the risk of plaque buildup and cavities . Therefore, brushing your teeth before bed will at least maintain good hygiene during those hours when bacteria can damage your enamel and the strength of your teeth.

It is also important to change your toothbrush regularly every 3 months or sooner if the bristles are worn because a damaged brush will not clean your teeth properly.

As we've already mentioned, brushing your tongue and using post-brushing aids like flossing at least once a day to clean hard-to-reach areas and rinsing with fluoride mouthwash can help prevent cavities and strengthen tooth enamel.

Finally, avoid tobacco and excess alcohol and sugar , which can damage your teeth and gums. Avoid trying to bite hard objects such as containers, corks, ice, and so on. Always visit your dentist regularly to detect any problems early.

References

Oral hygiene. (n.d.). National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/espanol/temas-de-salud/la-higiene-oral

Website, N. (2022, March 31). How to keep your teeth clean. nhs.uk. https://www.nhs.uk/Live-well/healthy-teeth-and-gums/how-to-keep-your-teeth-clean/

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