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As a general rule, dentists recommend brushing your teeth after every meal: morning, noon, and evening. However, brushing more than 3 times a day can cause gum problems and damage the enamel. Brushing your teeth properly concerns you personally, but it is also the only way to maintain good oral health and avoid significant pain. Taking care of your teeth means taking care of every gum.
Here is an expert guide with advice to help you understand the risks associated with poor techniques and how to change your habits. You will also discover which toothbrushes are best suited to everyday life.
What is poor tooth brushing?
Staying healthy necessarily involves effective brushing. However, you may not know which bad habits should be avoided to prevent pain and reduce the risk of developing dental disease.
Here are the techniques to avoid:
- Brushing only with movements from left to right
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- Regularly using whitening toothpaste, which damages the enamel.
- Choosing a toothbrush with hard bristles that does not protect the gums from oral irritation.
What are the risks associated with poor tooth brushing?
Here are some of the risks associated with poor tooth brushing. They require appropriate treatment, which your doctor can provide during an office consultation.
The appearance of cavities: tooth decay
It very often causes cavities. In fact, cavities attack the tooth all the way to the root. In the final stage of development, they can be very painful and cause abscesses. Prompt treatment by a dentist is recommended to prevent the cavity from progressing and the possible loss of the affected tooth. The dentist will provide suitable treatment to limit the risk of future cavities.
Gum inflammation: gingivitis
It encourages the appearance of gingivitis. This inflammation is linked to a bacterial infection caused by plaque that forms on the teeth. Initially, it is characterized by inflamed gums, bleeding gums, and bad breath. In case of gingivitis, foods such as tomatoes and citrus fruits should be avoided. They are far too acidic.
Periodontitis
It causes the teeth to become loose. This disease is bacterial in origin. It causes destruction of the bone that supports the teeth. It can lead to tooth loss if not treated promptly.
Cardiovascular diseases
Dental health is closely linked to cardiovascular health. It has been proven that not brushing your teeth frequently makes it easier for bacteria to enter the bloodstream. This leads to a risk of inflammation in the body, causing an irregular heartbeat, atrial fibrillation, and heart failure.
If you had used a Y-Brush toothbrush, this might never have happened. The advantage of using this type of toothbrush is that it removes 15% more plaque than a traditional toothbrush.
Which dental products can help address poor tooth brushing?
1 - Water flossers
These are oral irrigation devices. They propel water between the gums and teeth. They help eliminate food particles and bacteria. They remove acid from the teeth. They can replace dental floss or simply be used alongside it. Dental floss is a thin thread inserted between the teeth. However, they do not replace the use of a good toothbrush. They also work if you wear orthodontic braces.
2 - Mouthwashes
These are aqueous or hydroalcoholic solutions containing active ingredients designed to eliminate bacteria from the mouth. They clean hard-to-reach areas thoroughly. They should be used two to three times a day. Be sure to choose one without alcohol or antiseptic ingredients so that it does not dry out your mouth. Fluoride-free mouthwashes are recommended for people with sensitive teeth. They help reduce pain while brushing.
They are an effective way to clean between the teeth. They complement the work of an electric or manual toothbrush. Their main function is to help prevent cavities and avoid gum problems. They also help maintain fresher breath throughout the day. Several sizes and diameters are available depending on the interdental space. Only your dentist can determine which ones are right for you. They will therefore provide the most suitable advice.
4- Tongue scraper
This is an essential accessory for combating bad breath. It allows you to scrape your tongue and remove bacteria that may be present there. It restores a pink color to your tongue. For it to work effectively, avoid consuming alcohol, tobacco, or coffee. Be sure to start at the back of the tongue to remove most of the deposits. Current models allow you to scrape your tongue with one hand.
5- Dental plaque disclosing agent
This is a dye available in tablet or liquid form. It helps strengthen the enamel. It is placed inside the mouth after brushing. Ideally, it should be used for one week. It will show you the area where you need to brush your teeth for longer to remove it. After each use, remember to rinse your mouth.
6- Chewable toothpaste
Chewable toothpaste comes in tablet form. It helps fight cavities. It also remineralizes the teeth and reduces tartar formation. It helps prevent diseases affecting the teeth and gums. Its fast action provides an almost immediate whitening effect.
Chewable toothpaste is much more effective with a Y-Brush toothbrush. In fact, it has several vibration modes that depend on each person's dental sensitivity or brushing needs.
How should babies and children brush their teeth properly?
It is important for a child to have good dental hygiene. The habits they learn during childhood will later become automatic. Methods vary depending on the child's age. Their dental sensitivity or hypersensitivity must be taken into account. Sensitivity is not the same for an adult, child, or baby. For brushing to be effective, they should especially avoid consuming acidic foods.
Here are instructions from the French Union for Oral Health to help you teach your child how to take care of their teeth:
From 6 months
This is when their very first teeth begin to appear. It is recommended to brush them gently without forgetting the gums. However, fluoride toothpaste should not be used before 18 months. Only water should be used during brushing.
From 3 to 5 years
It is recommended to make movements across the 4 main areas of the teeth. Make sure to reach the very last tooth at the back. The child should use low-fluoride toothpaste. They can use an electric toothbrush, which will be much easier to handle.
From age 6
It is recommended to brush at least 2 times, in the morning and evening. Brushing should last 2 minutes: at noon and in the evening. They should use a soft toothbrush because it protects the enamel. They can also use fluoride toothpaste. Soft-bristled toothbrushes are preferable.
From age 9
It is advisable to let your child brush their teeth alone while supervising them. After brushing, they should rinse their mouth with clean water. They should maintain a certain amount of fluoride on their teeth. Use rolling movements.
If children's teeth are not cleaned properly, they may contract hand, foot, and mouth disease. This is a contagious disease characterized by the presence of papulovesicles.
In addition, proper tooth brushing is always made easier by using an effective children's toothbrush. The child will have no particular difficulty holding their toothbrush. In fact, the Y-Brush toothbrush indicates the movements to make to brush their teeth especially well.
