He althy teeth require compliance with several rules of oral hygiene. In the statistics on dental diseases, we are in the infamous lead in Europe. The average adult Pole has 13 teeth affected by caries. And yet it takes so little to have he althy teeth. Make sure you care for your teeth well enough.

Oral hygiene accessories: toothbrush, floss, anti-inflammatory liquid

The most important thing is the electric or traditional toothbrush, it is important that its bristles (medium or soft) are quite soft. Too hard it hurts the gums and causes bleeding. There are hard bristle brushes on the market, but they are recommended for cleaning dentures and braces, not teeth. The brush head should be flexible to clean nooks and crannies, and the handle should fit snugly in your hand. Replace the brush every 3 months. Choose the toothpaste according to the needs of your teeth (whitening, sensitive gums, refreshing). When you do not have special problems with your teeth, use a toothpaste with a comprehensive effect. Dental floss is also essential for oral cavity hygiene. Clean the spaces between the teeth before each washing. A tongue scraper will also be useful to remove tarnish. Do not use a toothbrush to clean your tongue as this will transfer bacteria from your tongue to your teeth. It is worth rinsing the mouth with the liquid that reaches places inaccessible to the brush. The fluid kills bacteria by preventing plaque build-up and freshens your breath. It is helpful for frequent inflammations in the mouth. Choose liquids without alcohol (it dries the mucosa).

How long should I brush my teeth?

It is known that you need to brush your teeth at least 2 times a day for 2 minutes. Dentists change this rule - keep brushing until you feel that all teeth are clean. However, not everyone knows how to do it properly. Instead of making circles around your teeth, brush them with a sweeping motion. Brush each tooth in turn from the gum to the crown, as if pulling the gums over the teeth. Focus on a single tooth, do not try to wash the entire arch at once, because there is a risk that you will miss, for example, eighths. Brush your teeth in this way from the outside (cheeks) and inside. If you want to know if you are brushing your teeth well, take a look at yoursbrush. Even at the end of use, the bristles should not be deformed (e.g. bent outwards). If the bristles stick out, it is too aggressive cleaning and pressing too hard on the toothbrush. It is worth working on the technique of brushing your teeth and, if necessary, ask a dentist for help. Improper brushing can damage the enamel, expose the necks of the teeth and bleed the gums. Clean the interdental spaces with a thread: wrap a piece of thread (approx. 50 cm) around your middle fingers. Using your thumbs and index fingers, stretch a 5cm length and place the thread between your teeth. Wrap it around the tooth in a C shape. Using gentle up and down movements (watch out for gums) clean the interdental space. At the next tooth, unwind a clean stretch of thread. You do not need to brush your teeth again after each meal ( although it would be ideal), just rinse your mouth with water or chew sugar-free gum for a few minutes. Never skip brushing your teeth in the evening - otherwise the bacteria will destroy your teeth all night long.

Remember to check-up at the dentist's and remove tartar

Thorough washing with the best brush and paste, flossing and rinsing is not all. Regular visits to the dentist every six months are essential for the he alth of your teeth. The doctor will check the teeth and clean them professionally of plaque and stone. The first stage of cleansing is scaling, i.e. removal of tartar using ultrasound. Despite brushing your teeth, it can accumulate under the gums or in the interdental spaces. Then sandblasting removes any plaque deposits. Fine polishing smoothes them to perfection. This is important because any unevenness will attract bacteria and sediment. The last step is fluoridation (or varnishing), which protects the teeth by saturating them with highly concentrated fluoride.

"Zdrowie" monthly