Is just brushing your teeth good enough?

WE learn how to brush our teeth as soon as we are able to grip a toothbrush. It is such a routine part of our lives that it’s practically second nature – a task we perform on autopilot. Yet, many of us fail to engage in proper dental care. Case in point: do you take at least two minutes to brush your pearly whites?

It is easy to be overwhelmed by the plethora of products available in the dental care aisle at your local supermarket – softbristle toothbrushes, fluoride-free toothpaste, copper tongue scrapers, unwaxed floss, alcohol-free mouthwash. This list goes on. But, how to choose the correct one?

Guidelines issued by different bodies concerning oral health practices also differ. This information overload can lead to confusion.

Choose your equipment

At the essence, tooth brushing is done to remove bacteria accumulated in the mouth and prevent the formation of plaque and tartar.

Experts tend to recommend soft-bristle toothbrushes as the gentle bristles are less damaging to the enamel and gums. Smaller brushes allow for greater malleability and hence, a more thorough brushing in nooks and crannies, while larger ones cover greater surface area per brush. Hence, the appropriate toothbrush will vary according to personal needs.

It is recommended to replace your toothbrush at least once every four months or sooner if the bristles start to fray.

It’s hard to resist the promise of a blinding white smile and icy fresh breath from a dab of toothpaste that ads sell us. But, before being enthralled by colourful striped toothpaste, its necessity should be questioned.

Contrary to popular belief, toothpaste is not a treatment on its own. Rather, it is a complement to one’s cleaning routine. As for whitening claims, it implies that more abrasive elements are involved and consequently, if used incorrectly, can do more harm than good.

So, is toothpaste the scam of the century? While the paste may not live up to its advertised super powers, it is still important. It provides a pleasant smell to the mouth and gives a feeling of squeaky cleanness. A simple dollop of toothpaste the size of a 10 sen coin is all you need per brushing session.

On the other side of the spectrum, there is such a thing as overbrushing. Brushing multiple times a day is not harmful so long as proper technique is applied. The issue is with heavy-handed brushing.

Frayed, flat bristles on a fairly new toothbrush can be a sign of excessive pressure. The brushing motion should be circular, not linear. On top of being counterproductive, the linear sawing motion can create grooves in the enamel, creating breeding grounds for bacteria.

One of the most neglected advice from dentists, yet arguably one of the most known, is to floss routinely. Too many people view it as a non-essential step, but not flossing will ruin all the effort you put into caring for your pearly whites.

It can be compared to meticulously painting the front and back of a wooden fence but leaving the sides unfinished and vulnerable to the elements. Similarly, not flossing will leave the sides of your teeth exposed to bacteria attacks.

Choose your timing

You reach home tired from a long day of work and are looking forward to just flopping on your bed. As you sink into your pillows, it hits you – you forgot to brush your teeth! You start to wonder whether brushing your teeth before going to bed is really that important. You are going to do that in the morning anyway. If this is an all too familiar scenario, you might want to reconsider.

Bacteria present in the mouth break down food eaten throughout the day, producing an acidic substance which gnaws at teeth enamel, weakening it and creating crevices where food particles might get stuck.

This creates the perfect surface for plaque to adhere to your teeth. When plaque remains undisturbed for 24 hours, it converts into tartar, a solid yellowish deposit that can only be extracted with professional help. With the expenses dental care entails, this negligence could cost you in more ways than one.

To brush teeth or eat breakfast first may be a dilemma you consider on the daily. While brushing teeth after breakfast may seem like a win as you are both removing the plaque buildup and the newly accumulated food particles, it is the not the best sequence.

Saliva acts as a protective coating on teeth and gums. At night, saliva production slows down, leaving the mouth more vulnerable to bacteria.

Furthermore, dentists recommend waiting at least 30 minutes after eating to brush teeth. This ensures that you are not damaging your enamel in its weakened state: a feat not possible for many rushing to get out the door. Hence, brushing before breakfast might be the better option.

Lastly, one should schedule regular dental check-ups. Routine examinations are important to detect and subsequently prevent any possible diseases, an essential part of maintaining a healthy mouth and teeth.