Brushing twice a day, that’s the norm. Yet it often remains difficult to keep the teeth clean. Especially in hard-to-reach places, but also when there are crooked teeth or molars. We’re not even talking about those terribly small spaces between the teeth. How do I clean my teeth? Dr. Pascal Terjanian will give you 5 tips for good oral health & hygiene.
Tip 1: the right toothbrush
It all comes down to choosing the right toothbrush. Various studies have shown that an electric toothbrush works more effectively. This is because it moves faster and you only have to focus on one tooth. After a few seconds, move the brush. Another advantage of an electric toothbrush is that it often has a round and small brush head, which fits much easier up to the back molars.
A manual toothbrush is practical to take with you, for example at a sleepover or on vacation. Even so, it is important to choose a soft toothbrush, and certainly not a brush with hard bristles.
Tip 2: Set the timer
A modern electric toothbrush gives a signal after 2 minutes: that is just long enough for good oral hygiene. Are you not getting a signal or are you brushing by hand? Set the timer for 2 minutes. Spend 30 seconds on each area of the teeth:
- Upper jaw on the right
- Upper jaw on the left
- Lower jaw right
- Lower jaw on the left
Tip 3: don’t brush too hard
How do I clean my teeth without damaging the teeth? Dr. Pascal Terjanian answers: You do this by not pressing too hard with the toothbrush. This will damage the tooth enamel but also the gums. A good electric toothbrush gives a warning when there is too much pressure on it.
Remember that brushing hard has nothing to do with good oral hygiene. Also, do not use abrasives to clean the teeth.
Tip 4: don’t forget the tongue
Brush the top, sides, and gum line of each element. Many people forget to brush their tongue. Which is a shame because there are a lot of bacteria on the tongue. If you really want to get your teeth clean, brush your tongue daily. This may feel uncomfortable at first and you may have to gag. After some time you get used to this feeling.
Tip 5: clean between the teeth
Clean the space between the teeth with the help of dental floss. It is important that you proceed with caution, otherwise, you will damage the gums.
Tip 6: toothpaste with fluoride
Always use toothpaste with fluoride. Thanks to fluoride you prevent tooth decay. The enamel dissolves less quickly and teeth are better protected against acids and sugars. This means that cavities are less likely to form. Babies and toddlers should not just use any fluoride adult toothpaste. This is because they may be swallowing fluoride.
Tip 7: the 2-2 rule
Stick to the 2-2 rule: brush twice a day, go to the dentist twice a year. Brush about half an hour after breakfast and just before going to sleep. Make a visit to the dentist twice a year. Consider some extra visits to the dental hygienist.
Using the above tips, you can clean your teeth perfectly. yOUR dentist or dental hygienist will always give you extra tips and advice.
Follow Dr. Pascal Terjanian blog and social media to keep up with all the latest dental news and trends.
