The art of brushing your teeth: the importance of having clean teeth
The art of brushing your teeth is more than just an everyday routine - it's key to long-term oral health. In this article, we explore the importance of thorough dental care and share tips and information to ensure your teeth stay healthy and clean.
Why is brushing your teeth important?
Brushing your teeth properly is crucial for oral health, yet many people forget how important it is in the end. Brushing your teeth prevents cavities, protects your gums, keeps your breath fresh and can even affect your overall health. Having clean, healthy teeth is linked to overall health and can help prevent other problems such as heart disease or diabetes. Good oral health and feeling good about our teeth can also affect our mental health.
What happens if you don't brush your teeth?
So what happens if you don’t brush your teeth? Not brushing your teeth regularly can cause bacteria to multiply in the oral cavity and form plaque on the teeth. This can lead to tooth decay, gum disease and bad breath. In the long term, untreated oral problems can also have an impact on general health as they are associated with other conditions such as heart disease.
In addition to the problems mentioned above, the appearance of teeth can also be affected. After all, everyone knows what teeth will look like if they are not brushed. Teeth that are not brushed frequently look yellower and are more unpleasant.
To avoid all of this, we will give you instructions below on how to brush your teeth properly.
How do you brush your teeth properly?
Learning how to brush your teeth properly is crucial for oral health. So here is a quick guide to brushing your teeth:
- Use a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
- Lightly moisten the toothbrush. Apply a pea-sized amount of toothpaste.
- Position the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gum line. Make small, circular movements. Brush all teeth, the tongue and palate.
- Brush for at least two minutes.
- Rinse your mouth with water after brushing your teeth.
After brushing your teeth, it is advisable to use additional oral care products such as dental floss and mouthwash. It is also important to clean the toothbrush and allow it to air dry.
How long should we brush our teeth for?
Now that we know how to brush our teeth properly, it’s important to know how long we should brush our teeth for. Ideally, we should brush our teeth for at least two minutes. This allows enough time to thoroughly clean all teeth and surfaces. Some even recommend three minutes to ensure that no areas are missed. Having a clock in the bathroom can be a useful reminder to keep to the recommended brushing time.
However, you can also divide your mouth into quadrants and brush for 30 seconds per area. Some electric brushes even have a built-in timer that tells you when it's time to change quadrants, and they also let you know when you've brushed long enough. But you can keep brushing until you feel it's time.
How many times a day should you brush your teeth?
If you're wondering how many times a day you should brush your teeth, here's the answer. It is recommended to brush your teeth at least twice a day: once in the morning after breakfast and once before going to bed. This ensures effective removal of plaque and harmful bacteria. Some people also opt for further teeth cleaning after main meals. The use of dental floss and mouthwash also complements daily oral hygiene.
How long should you wait before brushing teeth after eating?
It is advisable to wait at least 30 minutes after eating before brushing your teeth. This allows the saliva to neutralise acids and re-harden the enamel, which may have been softened by food intake. Brushing directly after eating, especially if acidic foods or drinks have been consumed, can damage the enamel as it is more sensitive in this state. It is therefore important to know when to brush your teeth after eating.
Oral healthcare routine: the correct order
Ensuring that you clean your teeth in the correct order can make a big difference. So if you’re wondering if you should rinse after brushing your teeth, read on.
Firstly, you should brush your teeth with toothpaste and a toothbrush, then use dental floss to thoroughly clean the spaces between your teeth, and finally you should rinse your mouth after brushing. By following this order, you will ensure comprehensive oral care.
Is one toothbrush enough for cleaning between teeth?
It is easy to neglect the spaces between teeth with a toothbrush. This can have serious consequences for oral health. Plaque and food debris can accumulate there and lead to tooth decay and gum problems. It is therefore very important to use dental floss regularly, in addition to brushing with a toothbrush, and not to overlook the spaces between your teeth in your oral hygiene routine.
Types of toothbrushes - which is the best?
There are different types of toothbrushes on the market, including:
- Normal manual toothbrushes
- Electric toothbrushes
- Sonic toothbrushes
- Double-sided toothbrushes
Types of toothbrushes are also categorised according to the hardness of the bristles: soft, medium and hard. The choice depends on personal preference and the state of oral health. Soft bristles are gentle, while hard bristles are not recommended for most, as they can damage the enamel and gums.
Which is the best type of toothbrush for you depends on individual preferences and needs. Electric and sonic toothbrushes can be more effective at removing plaque, while some people prefer the simplicity of a regular manual toothbrush. So which toothbrush is best should be based on personal preference, oral health goals and dentist recommendations.
Types of toothpaste - which is better?
As with toothbrushes, there are also different types of toothpaste. The most common types are:
- Toothpaste for whitening
- Toothpaste against stains
- Toothpaste for sensitive teeth
- Toothpaste to protect against plaque
- Toothpaste to protect against caries
- Toothpaste specifically for periodontal or gum problems
- Toothpaste for children
Dentists usually recommend toothpaste that contains fluoride, as fluoride helps to protect teeth from decay and strengthen tooth enamel. However, which type of toothpaste is better for you will depend on individual needs, such as sensitivity or specific oral health problems. It is advisable to consult your dentist to recommend the type of toothpaste that best suits your needs.
Brushing your teeth - special considerations
There are some special considerations to bear in mind when brushing your teeth, depending on your individual situation. Here are some important ones:
Sensitive teeth when brushing
If you have sensitive teeth, you should use a soft toothbrush and a special toothpaste for sensitive teeth when brushing, to protect the enamel.
Bloody gums when brushing teeth
Gentle brushing is important if you notice bloody gums when brushing your teeth. Use a soft toothbrush and avoid excessive pressure to prevent further irritation. Some electric/sonic brushes recognise when you are applying too much pressure and vibrate so that you don't damage your gums.
Brushing your teeth after extraction
Depending on the type of procedure that has been carried out, your dentist’s instructions will differ. It is therefore important to follow their exact guidelines on brushing your teeth after an extraction or another dental procedure to ensure a safe recovery.
How to brush teeth with braces or aligners
You may be wondering how to brush your teeth properly if you wear braces or aligners.
Brushing your teeth with fixed braces can be impractical, as the brackets and wires of the braces create additional obstacles for the toothbrush. These structures can cause food debris and plaque to accumulate more easily between the braces, making cleaning more difficult. It is important to brush thoroughly to prevent plaque and cavities from forming, as this can pose an increased risk during treatment with fixed braces. In order to clean teeth well, special brushes and tools are required to reach all areas around the brackets and wires.
In contrast, aligners, also known as clear aligners, allow for easier oral hygiene during treatment. They can be removed before you brush your teeth, which makes brushing simpler as you don't have to consider obstacles such as brackets and wires. Overall, this makes it easier to clean your teeth thoroughly and maintain good oral health throughout your treatment with aligners.
Impress aligners for better oral hygiene
At Impress, we offer aligners to give you healthier, straighter teeth without the restrictions of fixed braces.
Oral hygiene is easier with aligners. Our aligners allow you to clean teeth efficiently as they are removable. This makes it simpler for you to brush and floss your teeth without having to overcome obstacles. We're here to make sure your oral hygiene goes smoothly during your treatment.
Take the first step towards improving your oral health! Make an appointment online, by phone at +44 20 3808 1072 or via WhatsApp.
Frequently asked questions about brushing your teeth
How can I clean my toothbrush?
If you’re wondering how to clean your toothbrush, the simplest way is to rinse it under hot water and allow it to air dry, or use a special toothbrush cleaning solution.
Who created the toothbrush and when was it invented?
It is difficult to pinpoint exactly who created the toothbrush and when it was invented. The modern toothbrush developed over time from various precursors and was used in different cultures. However, the development of today’s toothbrush was driven forward in the 18th century. The first toothbrush with bristles was manufactured in Great Britain in 1780, and in 1857 the American H. N. Wadsworth received the first US patent for such a toothbrush. The mass production of toothbrushes began in the 19th century, which led to them improving and becoming more widespread.
When should you start brushing baby teeth?
Children should start brushing their baby teeth from the moment their first tooth erupts, usually from the age of six months.
Should you brush teeth before or after breakfast?
Brushing your teeth in the morning helps to reduce the bacteria and bad breath that can build up overnight. It is recommended to brush your teeth after breakfast, although we also recommend brushing them before.
How long after brushing teeth can I eat?
You can eat from 30 minutes after brushing your teeth. Dentists recommend waiting at least this amount of time so as not to impair the effect of the toothpaste.
Can I brush my teeth after scaling?
After a professional tooth cleaning, or scaling, you cannot clean or brush your teeth for at least 2-4 hours to give the cleaned teeth time to recover.
