For everyday use not only on St. Patrick's Day (17th of March) 






Rubbish, buy a new one

We are going to introduce to you ten ways how to keep your teeth clean in simple English.

$1000$ Using the Right Toothbrush

Which is the right toothbrush, electical or manual, a question often asked and easily to be answered: That depends on what you like.

[But in fact it is better to have a quite cheap manual toothbrush and use it at least twice a day than to buy some super-sophisticated electrical device and to hide it carefully in the mirrored cabinet in your bathroom and to take it out and use it only twice a year.]

So it is not the toothbrush, it's the person doing the brushing. Everybody that brushes correctly with a manual will do just as well as a person that brushes correctly with an electric.

Just as important is the size of the toothbrush. It should fit to your mouth and feel comfortable in your hand as well. Then you can use it properly.

[Psychological aspects should not be neglected: For instance, if you don't like the colour red, don't buy red handled toothbrushes, you might develop an aversion to toothbrushes in general.]

$2000$ Using the Right Bristles 

Some toothbrushes have angled bristles, others have straight ones. Which type is better and should be used?

It is not the angle of the bristles that matter, it's the technique of brushing that's much more important for the cleaning to be effective.

And remember: The toothpaste does the cleaning work, not the bristles!

What else can we say about the bristles? They should have well-rounded ends, they should be sturdy enough to remove biofilm but they should not be so stiff and unflexible that they hurt your gums.

In any case: Please don't use "natural" bristles made from animal hair. Natural bristles are hollow and therefore they collect bacteria. Not only that but the ends are sharp and could damage your gums.

$3000$ Brushing Often Enough and Long Enough

Dentists recommend brushing your teeth at least twice a day, three times a day is best.

In general: Periods when teeth are dirty should be as short as possible, periods of time when teeth are clean should be as long as possible. When there is too much time between brushings bacterial biofilm will build up causing negative effects we should avoid.

Brushing should be a minimum of two minutes although three minutes would be optimal.

The Coi-Rule should be applied: First chewing surfaces (scrubbing movements allowed), the outer surfaces and last but not least the inner surfaces (scrubbing movements stictly forbidden, otherwise papills would become damaged).

Don't "forget" to brush the molars in the back, even if it's not as much fun as brushing the front teeth.

$4000$ Keep to the Right Brushing Frequency

Your dentist's dream is that you brush three times a day, more may not be.

Let his or her dream come true! If you brush four or more times a day it may have negative effects on your dental stuctures.

[Excessive brushing can do harm to your gums, to your enamel (cause erosions) and to the roots of your teeth, especially when the brushing is done to vigorously, too strong or even worse, with the wrong technique.] 

The trick is to find a way to brush correctly and avoid any kind of exaggerated version.

$5000$ Brushing Correctly

Long horizontal strokes along the gum line (scrubbing movements, see above) can lead to abrasions. So aim your bristles at the gum line at a 45-degree angle and do short gentle strokes or sweeping movements always from red (gums) to white (teeth). Also vibrations and very tiny circles are useful.

The general direction of brushing movements is vertical (from the red gumline to hopefully white teeth), not horizontal. Use gentle hemispherical strokes.

$6000$ Make it Fun and Start in a Different Spot Each Time

Many people start brushing the same part of their mouth over and over dentists find.

Start in a different place so that you don't get lazy in the same area of your mouth.

So that by the time you get to the last quadrant of your mouth you're bored with brushing.

$7000$ Take Good Care of Inner Tooth Surfaces

What a shame that many people forget to brush the inner surfaces of the teeth - the surface your tongue presses against.

The biofilm you can't see is just as important to remove as the biofilm (plaque) you can see.

The most commonly skipped area, dentists say, is the inner surface of the lower front teeth.

$8000$ You Should Never Forget to Follow Up With a Rinse

Bacteria can grow on an unrinsed toothbrush. Think of the fun you can have the next time you brush your teeth. Then you're not putting the old bacteria back in your mouth.

Rinsing the toothbrush after you brush will help remove any leftover toothpaste, too.

$9000$ Who The Heck Needs a Toothbrush That's Soggy All The Time?

Dry is much nicer. If you have a toothbrush that is perpetually moist it will cultivate more bacteria. If the bristles stay soggy this could turn into a much enjoyable breeding ground for bacteria.

It's a good idea to shake out the moisture and then recap it with a cap that allowes air in or let your toothbrush simply dry out in your toothcup.

$10000$ Changing The Toothbrush Every Three Years is Probably Not Often Enough

The American Dental Association recommends getting a new brush every three or four months, but every month would be ideal.

As you know if you don't take good care of your teeth they will go away.

Needless to say a visual inspection of the bristles should be done every time.

The moment the bristles loose their normal flexibility they are ready for the garbage can.

Exactly for that reason you should always have at least one brand new toothbrush with you when you take a trip.

Some brushes have coloured indicators that alert you when then they need replacing.

Doing all this correctly is the best way to beome a real toothbrush wizzard and get ready for a date!