Natasha Swart, Oral Education Manager and Qualified Oral Hygienist at Curaprox
When we often talk about selfcare, we refer to the routines we follow to help us live well and improve both our physical health and mental health. These routines will usually entail skincare, retail therapy, and massages just to name a few. In fact, we seldomly highlight having a solid oral health routine as a must, to taking care of yourself.
Of course, we focus on making sure we brush our teeth daily and schedule our dentist appointments to make sure that everything is as it should be. However, many people are missing out on the opportunity that will not only benefit their oral health, but their overall health and boost their confidence.
Having a solid routine means you don’t have to worry about bad breath, the build-up of plaque and calculus, tooth decay or the risk of fillings – all while ensuring your smile stays radiant and bright. The trick is consistently committing to a great oral health routine –and using good products and the right brushing technique – all of which can help you enjoy that healthy, deep-clean feeling while combating gum disease and other dental problems.
- Understand the brushing methods: Yes, there is a right and wrong way of brushing your teeth. In fact, many dental problems are caused by incorrect brushing techniques. So what methods are best and why:
Let’s start with the incorrect methods as many people are still making these mistakes and they’re causing unnecessary health problems.
- Brushing your teeth quickly: sometimes people cut corners and rush through brushing and by doing this, they only remove plaque from the parts of their teeth that are easy to access.
- Brushing too hard and using a harsh or hard bristles toothbrush: Off the bat, this does not sound like selfcare, in fact, it’s the opposite of caring for your teeth. With this method, you damage your tooth enamel, and it can lead to receding gums, which exposes the “neck” of the tooth that sits between the crown and the root. This, can also cause pain and very sensitive teeth, as well as decay, infection, gingivitis, periodontitis and eventually even tooth loss. And what many don’t know is that using a toothbrush with hard bristles doesn’t properly clean the groove between the teeth and gums, which is a breeding ground for the bacteria that causes plaque.
Now, for the brushing methods you should use.
- Thorough gentle brushing: this is ideal for removing plaque and preventing it from building up. It’s all in the technique. Hold the brush like a pen – nice ad gentle and tilt at a 45-degree angle, with half the toothbrush filaments on your gums and half on your teeth. Moving in small, gentle circles, almost without any pressure, start with the most difficult places – the inside of the teeth and the back molars – and then continue on the outside, finishing with the chewing surfaces. Mindful brushing!
- Brushing in between your teeth: The spaces in between your teeth are what we call interdental spaces. They are perfect breeding ground for dental plaque and should be prioritised along with the standard teeth brushing. The best way to clean the spaces in-between your teeth is by using an Interdental Brush. They can clean even the narrowest interdental space, providing effective prevention against inflammation and bad breath. Once a day is all it takes and are ideal for removing stubborn dental plaque or food debris and help prevent gum disease which is the leading cause of tooth loss.
- Invest in the right products: Aside from getting your brushing technique right, having the right products is the next step to achieving the desired results. Invest in the right toothpaste, toothbrush, tooth brush holder/stand, interdental brushes, and tongue scraper – everything that works towards achieving fresh breath, lowering infection and protecting your gum health.
- Adopt a healthy balanced diet: Prioritise foods that are low in sugar and high in fiber to help reduce the risk of cavities and other dental problems. Dinking lots of water, especially after each meal to wash out some of the negative effects of sticky and acidic foods and beverages cause, it also very beneficial and advised.
- Don’t neglect your tongue: Bad breath can come from bacterial coatings on the tongue, in the tongue fissures, as well in the interdental spaces. Freshen your breath with the scraper- This nifty little tool effectively removes bacteria and odour from your tongue with ease. Its anatomically correct shape reduces nausea, and its effect can be seen and smelled. Success from the first time you use it.
- Schedule your visits to the dentist: Schedule at least two appointments a year with your dentist or oral hygienist. These regular check-ups will help spot any potential issues and offer treatment solutions when needed.
As with most things, consistency is key, if you want your routine to be effective. And if you want to test if your mouth is really clean, try these experiments. Firstly, run your tongue over all the surfaces of your teeth. If your teeth feel as smooth as glass, you’ve done a good job of brushing.
Secondly, to see whether your interdental spaces are clean, insert the interdental brush between your teeth – make sure to use one that fits your size – and pull it out. If the brush is covered with a white mushy substance; this is the dental plaque. To double-check, take a quick sniff of the interdental brush after pulling it out of your interdental spaces, if you pick up a smell then you know that the plaque still remains between your teeth. In order to remove this plaque and avoid bad breath and gum disease, clean your interdental spaces daily.
To test if you have a bad breath, the following technique can be used. wash your hands and then lick the inner part of the wrist (the place where you would usually spray your perfume) with the back part of your tongue. Then, smell your wrist. The odour you smell is the actual odour of your breath. If it’s not as pleasant as you’d like it to be, pay enough attention to all hard-to-reach places in your mouth.
By following these simple steps, you can ensure your teeth stay healthy and strong, reducing the risk of cavities and gum disease. Remember, good oral hygiene is a key part of overall health, and it only takes a few minutes each day to make a big difference.
Keep smiling and keep brushing!
