How to brush your teeth properly? Should you use an electric or traditional toothbrush? What toothpaste should you choose?

• Траяна Камбарева •Advices, Nutrition, Toothpaste

With the toothbrush, we clean the inner, outer and occlusal surfaces.

First, we use dental floss for the interdental spaces. Then, we continue with the brush and the paste. We squeeze a small amount of paste onto the brush, the size of a pea. We hold it at an angle (45˚) and clean from the gum to the tip of the tooth, with very light pressure. This way, the bristles of the brush also clean the interdental spaces. When cleaning in the gum area, we should use circular movements. The same goes for the front (front) teeth. Clean the wisdom teeth and distal (back) teeth well, very carefully because they are more difficult to reach. Brush your teeth for about 2 to 4 minutes (which is about 300-600 movements). Finally, brush your tongue from the root to the tip. This way you will remove bacteria and bad breath.

Choosing a brush

Electric toothbrushes with 30,000 – 40,000 revolutions for better plaque removal

Consult your dentist about what kind of brush to use. It is best to brush when you have bleeding gums or problematic teeth with a soft-bristled brush with rounded ends. If you do not have such problems, use a medium-bristled brush.
For children, the brushes have smaller heads (the packaging states the age for which they are intended) with soft bristles.

It is advisable to replace your brush every 3 months, but this can be done earlier if you consider that the bristles are bent or damaged.

Electric toothbrushes were first introduced to the world by Broxodent. Since then, dozens of types with countless functions and designs have appeared on the market. They can be with 3000-7500 rotational movements per minute (there are also those with 30,000-40,000 revolutions, for better cleaning of dental plaque) by reproducing the movements of your hand. They perform rotational and vertical movements, in order to perfectly remove plaque and clean the gums, even in hard-to-reach places.

Electric toothbrushes have an advantage over traditional ones because they perform more movements (cleaning) on ​​the area you are brushing. For people who have health problems (such as arthritis), electric toothbrushes are the better option to be able to cope with and control brushing. Many people find these brushes motivate them to maintain more regular hygiene. The only drawback remains the price – electric toothbrushes are many times more expensive than regular ones. Different models range from 25 to 250 leva.

Toothpaste

Powdered toothpaste

It can be in the form of a paste, gel or powder. Some ingredients are common to all pastes.

In most cases, the pastes contain:

  • Fluoride (a natural mineral), which is the most popular and most important active ingredient in preventing cavities
  • Abrasive agents (calcium carbonate and silicates) needed to remove food particles, bacteria, and some stains from teeth
  • Flavorings. Artificial sweeteners, including saccharin for better taste (mint, cinnamon, lemon, and even gum for children)
  • Humectants to retain moisture so the paste doesn’t dry out (glycerol)
  • Thickeners – medicinal products (from certain algae) to achieve and maintain the consistency of the paste
  • Detergents – the foam that is produced during washing is from detergents such as sodium sulfate.

Chemical compounds such as pyrophosphates and zinc citrate prevent the formation of tartar. Some toothpastes contain an antibiotic (triclosan), which kills bacteria in the mouth.

Toothpastes for sensitive teeth from hot and cold. They contain potassium nitrate or strontium chloride, which relieve tooth sensitivity within one month of use.

Whitening toothpastes for daily use that do not contain bleach, but abrasive particles or chemicals that effectively clean stains from the tooth. Whitening toothpastes are believed to damage the enamel, but studies show that they are NOT more harmful than regular toothpastes.

Tips for choosing pasta. Choosing pasta according to your needs is individual, but we can make your choice easier with a few tips:

  • Most toothpastes have a seal of approval from the Bulgarian Dental Union, which means they are safe and effective.
Mouthwash reduces bacteria in the mouth and strengthens tooth enamel.
  • Check the fluoride content
  • Beware of a toxic substance – diethylene glycol
  • For children, the toothpaste can be fruity, which they will like and will be willing to brush their teeth.
  • Consider whether you want to whiten your teeth; whether you have sensitive teeth to hot and cold

    • You can experiment with different brands, types, and flavors and find which paste you like the most.

    Mouthwash

    Reduces bacteria in the mouth, strengthens tooth enamel and prevents cavities. Not recommended for children under 6 years of age due to swallowing hazard.