Dental problems are mostly caused by plaque, a sticky film of bacteria. It can lead to gum disease and decay of the teeth in addition to other medical and dental conditions. Maintaining your oral cavity clean is crucial for health. Proper tooth brushing ranks as one of the most essential components of good oral hygiene. This helps in the removal of food particles and plaque, which can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath.
Food particles and bacterial plaque may build up in hard-to-reach areas of your mouth, such the crevices between overcrowded or overlapping teeth, underneath dental work like orthodontics or bridges, and in the pits and grooves of your back teeth.
Choosing the Right Toothbrush
It is important to choose the right brush according to current needs of one's oral cavity. However, it is always recommended to use soft bristles brushes — may it be mechanical, electrical, or sonic — to best eliminate plaque and calculus. Hard bristles result in eroding the topmost layer of teeth and exposing it to sensitivity.
Best Practices for Brushing
After every meal, it is recommended to at least squish out the oral cavity with water or mouthwash. However, it is essential to brush twice daily — ideally in the morning and right before bed. Brush your teeth, gums, and tongue.
One can encourage using desensitizing toothpaste for sensitive teeth or fluoride toothpaste to prevent cavities according to their needs. It’s important to use short back-and-forth strokes while holding the toothbrush at an angle of 45° to the gum line. Brushing too hard tends to wear down the enamel and hurt the soft tissues. Ensure that you brush your mouth properly for a minimum of two minutes.
Tongue Cleaning and Specialized Tools
Remember to use a tongue scraper or brush your tongue to get rid of germs and stop foul breath.
In case of orthodontic appliances or bridges, it’s difficult to clean debris in between teeth. Interdental brushes and flossers are recommended in such cases to properly clean beneath bridges or in between wires and brackets. Think about utilizing water flossers or interdental brushes.