How to brush your teeth properly

To avoid the development of cavities and plaque on the teeth it is essential to brush your teeth at least 2 times a day, one of which should always be before bedtime, as during the night there is a greater chance of bacteria accumulating in the mouth.

For tooth brushing to be effective, fluoride paste must be used since the birth of the first teeth and maintained throughout life, to keep teeth strong and resistant, preventing the development of cavities and other oral diseases such as plaque and gingivitis. , which can cause bad breath, pain and difficulty in eating due to inflammation of the tooth and / or gums cause pain and difficulty in eating, for example.

How to brush your teeth properly

To have good oral health, it is important to brush your teeth well daily by following the following steps:

1. Put toothpaste on the brush, which can be manual or electric;
2. Touch the brush bristles in the region between the gum and the teeth, making circular or vertical movements, from the gum outwards, and repeating the movement about 10 times, every 2 teeth. This procedure must also be done on the inside of the teeth, and, to clean the upper part of the teeth, a back-and-forth movement must be made.
3. Brush your tongue making movements back and forth;
4. Spit out excess toothpaste;
5. Rinse a little mouthwash to finish, like Cepacol or Listerine, for example, to disinfect your mouth and eliminate bad breath. However, the use of mouthwash should not always be done, as its constant use can unbalance the normal microbiota of the mouth, which can favor the occurrence of diseases.

It is recommended that the toothpaste contains fluoride in its composition, in quantities between 1000 and 1500 ppm, since fluoride helps to maintain the health of the mouth. The ideal amount of paste to use is about 1 cm for adults, and that corresponds to the size of the little finger nail or the size of a pea, in the case of children. Learn how to choose the best toothpaste.

To avoid the development of cavities, in addition to brushing your teeth properly it is important to avoid eating foods rich in sugar, especially before going to sleep, as these foods usually favor the proliferation of bacteria naturally present in the mouth, which increases the risk of cavities. . In addition, other foods can also damage the teeth causing sensitivity and stains, such as coffee or acidic fruits, for example. Check out other foods that damage your teeth.

How to brush your teeth with orthodontic appliance

To brush your teeth with an orthodontic appliance, use a regular brush and start with circular movements between the gums and the top of the teeth. brackets, with the brush at 45º, removing dirt and bacterial plaques that may be in this region.

Then, the movement should be repeated at the bottom of the brackets, also with the brush at 45º, also removing the plate in this place. Then, the procedure on the inside and the top of the teeth is the same as explained in the step-by-step.

The interdental brush can be used to reach hard to reach places and to clean the sides of the teeth. brackets, because it has a thinner tip with bristles and, therefore, it is very useful for those who use devices or for those who have prostheses.

Check out more tips for maintaining your daily oral health routine:

How To Maintain Toothbrush Hygiene

To maintain the hygiene of the toothbrush, it is recommended that it be kept in a dry place with the bristles facing upwards and, preferably, protected by a lid. In addition, it is recommended that it is not shared with others to decrease the risk of developing cavities and other infections in the mouth.

When the brush bristles start to become crooked, you should replace the brush with a new one, which usually occurs every 3 months. It is also very important to change your brush after a cold or flu to reduce the risk of getting a new infection.

When to go to the dentist

To keep your mouth healthy and free of cavities, you should go to the dentist at least twice a year, or according to the dentist's guidance, so that the mouth is evaluated and a general cleaning can be done, in which the presence is evaluated. of cavities and plaque, if any, can be removed.

In addition, other symptoms that indicate the need to go to the dentist include bleeding and pain in the gums, constant bad breath, stains on the teeth that do not come out with brushing or even sensitivity on the teeth and gums when eating cold, hot or hard foods.

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It is important to consult the dentist:

• Every 2 years.
• Every 6 months.
• Every 3 months.
• When you are in pain or some other symptom.

Floss should be used every day because:

• Prevents the appearance of cavities between teeth.
• Prevents the development of bad breath.
• Prevents inflammation of the gums.
• All of the above.

How long do I need to brush my teeth to ensure proper cleaning?

• 30 seconds.
• 5 minutes.
• Minimum of 2 minutes.
• Minimum of 1 minute.

Bad breath can be caused by:

• Presence of cavities.
• Bleeding gums.
• Gastrointestinal problems like heartburn or reflux.
• All of the above.

How often is it advisable to change the toothbrush?

• Once a year.
• Every 6 months.
• Every 3 months.
• Only when the bristles are damaged or dirty.

What can cause problems with teeth and gums?

• The accumulation of plaque.
• Have a high sugar diet.
• Have poor oral hygiene.
• All of the above.

Inflammation of the gums is usually caused by:

• Excessive saliva production.
• Accumulation of plaque.
• Tartar build-up on teeth.
• Options B and C are correct.

In addition to the teeth, another very important part that you should never forget to brush is:

• Tongue.
• Cheeks.
• Palate.
• Lip.

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