Last updated on October 18th, 2024
Brushing your teeth is fundamental for good oral health. It helps remove plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that can lead to cavities, gum disease, and other oral health issues. But are you brushing effectively? Let’s dive into the essentials of proper brushing.
Why Is Brushing So Important?
Brushing teeth is important because a healthy smile boosts confidence. The American Dental Association (ADA) reports that 96% of adults value a healthy smile for their self-esteem. Surprisingly though, only 64% of adults follow the dentist-recommended practice of brushing twice a day.
Brushing correctly offers multiple benefits:
- Cavity Prevention: Want to keep those fillings at bay? Brushing is your first line of defense.
- Gum Disease Reduction: Gum disease (Periodontal Disease) is a serious issue, but regular brushing significantly reduces your risk.
- Fresher Breath: Say goodbye to bad breath and hello to a fresher smile.
- Improved Oral Health: Brushing contributes to overall oral health, impacting your well-being.
How Should You Brush Your Teeth?
Here’s a step-by-step guide for effective brushing:
- Angle your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gum line. This ensures you’re reaching the crucial area where plaque builds up.
- Use gentle, circular motions to brush each tooth. Scrubbing too hard can damage your gums and tooth enamel.
- Don’t forget to brush your tongue! This helps remove bacteria and freshens breath.
- Replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months, or sooner if the bristles are frayed.
Which Toothbrush and Toothpaste Are Right for You?
With numerous options available, choosing the right toothbrush and toothpaste can be overwhelming. Opt for a toothbrush with comfortable soft bristles, and always choose a toothpaste containing fluoride. Which Toothbrush Shall I Use? explores the different types available.
Electric or Manual Toothbrush?
While both have their merits, electric toothbrushes are more effective at removing plaque and reducing gingivitis than manual toothbrushes according to a study in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology in 2014. Ultimately, the best toothbrush is the one you use consistently and correctly.
When Is the Best Time to Brush?
Brushing after meals is ideal, but wait at least 30 minutes after consuming acidic foods or drinks. Acid weakens tooth enamel, making it vulnerable to damage from brushing.
Is It Enough to Brushing Teeth Once a Day?
While brushing once a day is certainly better than not brushing at all, the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends brushing twice a day for two minutes each time using fluoride toothpaste. Why twice? Because every time you eat, food particles and bacteria build up on your teeth, contributing to plaque formation.
Brushing twice daily helps to:
- Maximize plaque removal: A 2009 study in the Journal of Dental Hygiene demonstrated that brushing for 180 seconds removed 55% more plaque than brushing for only 30 seconds. Even brushing for 120 seconds removed 26% more plaque than a quick 45-second brush. This highlights the importance of dedicating sufficient time to brushing.
- Enhance fluoride protection: Fluoride toothpaste strengthens tooth enamel and helps prevent cavities. Brushing twice a day, especially before bed, allows fluoride to work throughout the night, protecting your teeth from acid attacks.
If you can only manage to brush once a day, make it your nighttime routine. This allows the fluoride to work its magic while you sleep, minimizing the risk of cavities. However, aim to make twice-daily brushing a habit for optimal oral health.
Why Are My Gums Bleeding When I Brush?
Seeing blood on your toothbrush or in the sink can be alarming. While occasional bleeding might not be a major cause for concern, frequent bleeding gums often signal an underlying issue, most commonly gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease.
Here’s why gingivitis causes bleeding:
- Plaque buildup: When plaque isn’t adequately removed through brushing and flossing, it irritates the gums, causing inflammation and bleeding.
- Improper brushing: Brushing too hard or using a hard-bristled toothbrush can also injure your gums and lead to bleeding.
Other potential causes of bleeding gums:
- New brushing or flossing routine: If you’ve recently started flossing or using a new toothbrush, your gums might bleed initially as they adjust. This should subside within a week.
- Certain medications: Some medications can increase your risk of bleeding gums.
- Hormonal changes: Pregnancy can cause hormonal fluctuations that make gums more sensitive and prone to bleeding. This is a common condition known as “pregnancy gingivitis.” To learn more about gum health during pregnancy, read our blog post on Periodontal Disease During Pregnancy.
- Medical conditions: In some cases, bleeding gums can be a symptom of a more serious medical condition.
What to do if your gums bleed:
- Evaluate your brushing technique: Make sure you’re using a soft-bristled toothbrush and gentle, circular motions.
- Floss daily: Flossing removes plaque and food particles from between your teeth, reducing gum irritation.
- See your dentist: If bleeding persists despite proper oral hygiene, schedule a checkup. Your dentist can assess your gum health, identify the cause of bleeding, and recommend appropriate treatment.
By addressing bleeding gums promptly, you can prevent gingivitis from progressing into periodontitis, a more severe form of gum disease that can lead to tooth loss.
Why Do I Still Have Bad Breath After Brushing?
Brushing your teeth should leave your breath fresh and clean, right? So it can be frustrating when bad breath lingers even after a thorough brushing. This persistent bad breath, also known as halitosis, can have several causes beyond just needing a mint.
Here are some possible culprits:
1. Oral Hygiene Oversights:
- Ineffective brushing: Even if you brush regularly, improper technique might miss certain areas, allowing bacteria to thrive. Focus on brushing gently at a 45-degree angle to the gum line, reaching all surfaces of your teeth and tongue.
- Ignoring your tongue: The surface of your tongue can harbor odor-causing bacteria. Make sure to brush or scrape your tongue every time you brush your teeth.
- Skipping flossing: Food particles trapped between your teeth can decompose and contribute to bad breath. Daily flossing is essential for removing these particles and reducing bacterial growth.
2. Dry Mouth (Xerostomia):
Saliva plays a crucial role in washing away food particles and bacteria. When your mouth is dry, this natural cleansing process is hampered, leading to bad breath. Dry mouth can be caused by:
- Medications: Certain medications can reduce saliva production.
- Mouth breathing: Breathing through your mouth, especially during sleep, can dry out your mouth.
- Medical conditions: Conditions like Sjögren’s syndrome can affect saliva production.
3. Dental Issues:
- Gum disease: Gum disease creates pockets between your teeth and gums where bacteria can accumulate, causing bad breath.
- Cavities: Bacteria can hide in the crevices of cavities, making it difficult to eliminate them with brushing alone.
4. Lifestyle Factors:
- Smoking: Smoking dries out your mouth and increases your risk of gum disease, both of which contribute to bad breath.
- Certain foods: Foods like garlic, onions, and coffee can leave a lingering odor even after brushing.
5. Underlying Health Conditions:
In some cases, persistent bad breath can be a sign of an underlying health issue, such as:
- Sinus infections: Postnasal drip can carry bacteria and contribute to bad breath.
- Acid reflux: Stomach acid rising into the esophagus can cause bad breath.
- Diabetes: People with uncontrolled diabetes may have a fruity-smelling breath.
- Kidney or liver problems: These conditions can produce a distinct odor on the breath.
If you’re concerned about persistent bad breath, consult your dentist. They can help identify the cause and recommend appropriate treatment options, which may include professional cleaning, mouthwash, or addressing any underlying dental or medical issues. You can find more information about the causes of bad breath and how to address them in our blog post on Causes of Bad Breath and How to Get Rid of It.
FAQs About Brushing Teeth
Here are a bunch of key questions about teeth brushing.
Is It Harmful To Brush Teeth With Baking Soda?
Brushing teeth with baking soda can help you clean the teeth, but abrasive brushing moves might damage your enamel.
Can Baking Soda Remove Plaque?
Yes, it can. Dentifrices with baking soda showed a statistically greater plaque removal effect than baking soda-free dentifrices according to the Journal of Clinical Dentistry research, in 2008.
Is Coconut Oil Good For Your Teeth?
Yes, it is. According to the Journal of Contemporary Dental Practice research, in 2016, rinsing with coconut oil reduced the amount of plaque-forming bacteria in silvia significantly.
Also, according to Niger Medical Journal research, in 2015, teenagers used coconut oil for mouthwash, and their gingivitis and plaque levels decreased significantly.
Is It Good To Brush Your Teeth With Salt?
Teeth whitening is possible by brushing teeth with salt. Salt helps you scrap away the tartar and stain. However, if you rub salt strongly and frequently, it might damage your teeth’ surface.
Can I Brush My Teeth After Rhinoplasty?
Yes, you can. Some patients are worried about brushing or flossing their teeth after rhinoplasty, but experts say that normally, there is nothing wrong with flossing or brushing teeth following a rhinoplasty operation. However, you are still advised to discuss it with your dentist.
Can I Brush My Teeth After Tooth Extraction?
You can keep brushing your teeth after tooth extraction, but you are advised to do it more gently. Also, skipping the extraction area could be better for the healing process.
Is It Bad To Over Brush Your Teeth?
Brushing is good, but over-brushing might cause some problems like tooth sensitivity, gum recession, and dental abrasion. Thus, you should avoid brushing your teeth abrasively and too frequently.
How To Teach Kids About Brushing Their Teeth?
Nowadays, people are more aware of the importance of brushing their teeth for kids. However, it might be challenging to teach them how to brush their teeth properly. Making it fun would be one of the key actions for the parents. To this end, you can let them watch videos to motivate them. There are many good videos you can watch on YouTube such as “Hey Duggee Brushing Teeth” and “Tooth Brushing Song by Blippi”.
SOURCES
https://www.ada.org/resources/research/science-and-research-institute/oral-health-topics/toothbrushes
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24283283/
https://jdh.adha.org/content/jdenthyg/83/3/111.full.pdf
Note: Medically Reviewed by Dr. Yusuf Ilhan, on Oct 17, 2024