21 Oct

Time to brush your teeth

Ever since we were children, we have been told how important it is to brush our teeth. Over time, however, we lose good habits and make mistakes that can leave our oral hygiene less than ideal. That is why we would like to give you some key tips for brushing correctly.

Choose the right toothbrush and toothpaste
Your toothbrush will be your companion in one of the things you do most often throughout the day, so it must suit your needs and the size of your mouth. We recommend toothbrushes with medium or soft bristles, as hard bristles can damage both the enamel and the gums. Bear in mind, too, that toothbrushes with smaller heads help you reach hard-to-reach areas. It is also important to choose the right toothpaste, one suited to the sensitivity of your teeth, to avoid abrasion, irritation or poor cleaning.

Brush 2 to 3 times a day for 2 minutes
After every meal and before going to bed, we should clean our mouth so that food debris and bacteria do not build up. We should spend two to three minutes on oral hygiene, a minute on each part (upper and lower), to make sure we reach every tooth. Doctors recommend brushing about half an hour after eating or drinking, to avoid damaging the enamel after acidic foods.

Manual or electric toothbrush
The advantage of an electric toothbrush is that you make fewer brushing mistakes, although it is important to watch how much pressure you apply so as not to damage your gums, and to go over every tooth with the rotating head.

Clean from the gum line up, inside and out
Always brush from the gum toward the end of the tooth, not horizontally. On the upper teeth, brush from top to bottom, and on the lower arch, the other way round. Remember, too, that teeth have two sides and both are equally important. The best thing is to stand in front of the mirror and make sure you brush both the outer and inner surfaces, as well as the chewing surfaces, to clean your whole mouth.

Looking after your toothbrush
A toothbrush does not last forever; in fact, you should not use it for more than 3 months. It is important to check the condition of the bristles and replace it regularly to keep up the hygiene you need. Also, after each brushing, rinse it under the tap and let it air-dry to prevent fungi and bacteria from growing.

Your tongue is part of your mouth
Cleaning your tongue properly reduces the number of bacteria that stay in your mouth and also helps eliminate bad breath. We recommend using a tongue scraper from the back to the tip, and cleaning the sides as well, in at least one of your daily brushings.

Floss and interdental brushes, inseparable companions
If you want to be sure your whole mouth is clean, you can use these two aids. Pass the floss through the spaces between the teeth and down to the gums to remove plaque. Interdental brushes should fit that space and slide in gently. With both aids, never force them between your teeth, as you could damage your gums.

Ask your specialist
If you still have questions after these tips, we recommend asking your specialist to confirm both the brushing technique and the products that best suit each person’s needs.