How to brush your teeth?
What kind of toothbrush should we use?
It is a recurring question we often encounter. However, there is no perfect answer, or a certain method that would be recommended by 9 out 10 dentists. For example, even Dr. Endre and Dr. Kristóf have a different opinions on whether we should or should not use mouth wash.
In the first place, as a general advice we can say that we should create a routine and use the dental devices that we love. Secondly, we highly recommend brushing your teeth at least twice or three times a day. This regiment can be supplemented by using dental floss, mouthwash, an interdental brush and mouth shower. Most importantly, it's essential to have an oral care that we love.
We are all different, therefore our oral hygiene needs can be different too. Sometime media can imply bad habits that should not be followed. However, there are some universal "rules" that can be applied by anyone.
Before we buy our toothbrush, our primary consideration is to remove plaque as thoroughly as possible, not only from the surface of the teeth but also from the spaces between the teeth and the gums. This reduces the chances of developing tartar, gingivitis, and the risk of periodontal disease.
We always recommend soft-bristle toothbrushes. They are labelled as Soft or UltraSoft. According to your preferences, you can choose an electric or manual toothbrush. It is a general misconception that hard-bristle toothbrush will clean your teeth better. Unfortunately, the stronger you brush your teeth with hard-bristles the more damage you can create on the enamel and the neck of the teeth. Most of the time this is the reason behind the sensibility of teeth. Electric toothbrushes however have an excellent feature, a built-in pressure sensor, that tells us if we applied too much pressure on our teeth.
It is now proven that when it comes to your your oral hygiene, your brushing technique and timing play crucial roles. For example, electric toothbrushes are already upgraded with some extra features. We’ve already mentioned the pressure sensor, but they also have a built-in timer that alerts you if your brushing time is too short. These features will help you protecting your gums and teeth.
Who said that brushing your teeth should be boring? For example, one of our dentists, Dora Luca, is a fan of flavoured toothpastes. Of course, she also uses something that is not only delicate but also takes good care of her teeth. A brand called "Curaprox Be You" offers multiple flavours that can match your taste and make your smile even whiter. They have the watermelon flavoured "Candy lover" but if you prefer something more interesting, you can also choose gin tonic flavour. This toothpaste will not only excite your taste buds but it also contains enzymes which will remove discolourations and stains from the surface of the teeth.
But if you have a specific problem you may want to use a toothpaste designed for sensitivities such as Parodontax, which is mainly used for bleeding gums or Sensodyne, which is used for sensitive teeth. Since we are all different you should visit one of our dental hygienists for personal advice.
However, cleaning your interdental spaces should not be forgotten under any circumstances, even if you have the best electric toothbrush. If we do not clean our interdental spaces properly caries and gingivitis will develop due to the plaque left intact. In order to avoid this, you should use an interdental brush in the back regions and floss in the front area. Another option is a mouth shower suggested by Dr. Endre Balla. Nonetheless, it is just as important to know that the direction of cleaning should be carried out in a 45 degree angle so that we can avoid damaging our gums.
It is recommended to wait before you wash your teeth again at least half an hour after eating. This way we can avoid the acid damage on the hard tissues.
Finally, here comes the answer to the big question: electric or manual toothbrush?
Both options are great, but they have to be used differently. The manual toothbrush should be used at the border of the gums and teeth in a circular motion with gentle force applied. It supposed to feel like we have massaged our gums and teeth.
The electric toothbrush was initially developed for people with disabilities who are unable to use a manual toothbrush. Hence, electric toothbrushes cannot be used as a manual toothbrush. It is enough to apply a gentle force and move in circles. With electric toothbrushes, technology does the rest for us.
Should you have any questions, feel free to reach out. Our dentists and oral hygienists are here to help!
