In dentistry, as in any human activity, there are a number of controversial issues and unresolved issues. For example, how many times should you brush your teeth a day? At one time we were taught that brushing 3 times a day is the norm, then we agreed that too frequent grinding of teeth leads to abrasion of the protective enamel, which is fraught with dental problems, and we began to be taught to brush our teeth exclusively in the morning and evening.
So the second controversial question arose: is it better to brush your teeth before breakfast or after breakfast ? Naturally, there are no questions about brushing your teeth in the evening: before bed, after dinner - brushing your teeth will be most effective. But how to brush your teeth in the morning: before and after breakfast? When will this procedure be most effective?
Why should you brush your teeth?
The oral cavity, in which the teeth are actually located, is the most infected of all cavities of the human body, and insufficient care for it can lead to dire consequences. Leftover food under the influence of bacteria will be subject to decay, rotting and fermentation. In addition, soft plaque will release acid, which destroys the enamel, resulting in the formation of caries. All this harms not only the teeth, but can also provoke diseases of the internal organs, reduce the body’s defenses and become a source of bad breath.
Do you need to brush your teeth? Of course, it's up to you to decide. Even ancient people, not knowing about the danger of caries, tried to clean their teeth after eating with the help of homemade toothpicks in the form of grass stems and chewed sticks. Unfortunately, throughout the existence of mankind, it has not been possible to teach everyone to take care of their oral cavity. It is still not uncommon to find “instances” who believe that brushing your teeth is a completely useless activity. For example, in China, half of the rural population has never even held a toothbrush in their hands. It is clear that the price for such negligence is the loss of teeth, and a toothless person has never been a role model in developed societies.
Brushing your teeth before breakfast
- The amount of saliva secreted during sleep is much less than during the day. Therefore, overnight the acidity in the mouth increases, microorganisms multiply and accumulate more actively. If you have breakfast with unbrushed teeth, harmful microbes can enter the esophagus and stomach.
- Due to unpleasant sensations in the oral cavity in the morning, you always want to thoroughly brush your teeth and freshen your breath before eating.
- Toothpastes and powders contain fluoride-containing substances that protect tooth enamel from the effects of fruit and other acids contained in foods included in the breakfast menu. If your teeth are brushed before breakfast, it means they will no longer be subject to the destructive influence of external factors.
How to brush your teeth correctly?
Improper brushing of teeth is a phenomenon whose scale is enormous. Almost all of us do not know how to brush our teeth the way we should. Despite the apparent simplicity of the process, there are a lot of “nominal” methods of brushing teeth in the world. All of them differ in the nature of movements, sequence and position of the brush relative to the teeth or gums. For example, the famous dentist Reite suggested placing the toothbrush at an angle of 90 degrees, and Stillman distinguished himself by recommending that when brushing your teeth, press as hard as possible on the gums. Fortunately, modern dentists have taken only the best from the works of their colleagues and reduced it to a few general rules on how to brush your teeth:
- The cleaning itself should last at least 3 minutes;
- The brush should be held at an angle of 45 degrees relative to the teeth and gums;
- In order not to spread germs throughout the oral cavity, it is recommended to divide the procedure into two parts: first brush the lower dentition, and then the upper one;
- You should start with the front teeth, gradually moving to the back teeth;
- The lower teeth are brushed from bottom to top, and the upper teeth from top to bottom;
- The chewing surface of the teeth is processed in a circular motion;
- After rinsing your mouth, don't forget to clean your tongue, where a lot of germs also accumulate. Remember that the tongue is covered with plaque, which is the same breeding ground for microbes as deposits on the teeth;
- At the end of the procedure, it is recommended to use mouth rinses;
It is recommended to brush your teeth twice a day: after breakfast and dinner. This is a classic of oral hygiene. But it’s no secret that the habit of carrying out hygiene procedures before the morning meal is not so uncommon. Many older people are accustomed to brushing their teeth in the morning before eating. They will have to do this after breakfast, or change their habit. Since no one can brush their teeth in a dream, in the evening brushing is done after dinner or the last meal. Of course, ideally you should brush your teeth even after lunch, but this is not always possible. You can get out of the situation by simply rinsing your mouth or chewing gum for 10 minutes, but no longer!
How to find a compromise
While doctors are arguing: when you need to brush your teeth - before breakfast or after, it is better to choose the rational grain from both options and put it into practice.
- Brush your teeth both before and after eating. This option is suitable only for the lucky owners of strong, healthy teeth with good enamel. If you are unsure about your teeth, it is better to consult a dentist.
- Brush your teeth no later than half an hour before eating, and immediately before sitting down at the table, rinse your mouth with plain clean water.
- In the morning, instead of brushing your teeth, use a decoction of medicinal herbs or a ready-made balm for rinsing.
It is necessary to remove the plaque that has formed on the tongue overnight. Attention! Green tea is a good natural antimicrobial agent. You can drink a cup of it before meals and several times during the day. - Properly selected, high-quality, modern antibacterial toothpaste helps protect teeth for 12-24 hours from exposure to harmful environments, microorganisms, and acids.
Brushing your teeth both before and after eating – this issue gives rise to a lot of controversy.
The optimal solution is to brush your teeth in the morning before breakfast, and after breakfast, rinse your mouth with water or a salt solution. Whatever option is chosen from the two proposed, the main goal is to keep teeth healthy for many years. The quality of chewing and assimilation of food, and therefore the health of internal organs, depends on their condition. Everything else depends on the individual preferences and desires of the person.
I brush my teeth with this brush
A good toothbrush plays a key role in maintaining oral hygiene. So you need to choose it carefully. The first thing you should focus on is the degree of rigidity. Those who are confident in the strength of their gums can use. Their rigidity provides the most powerful cleansing of plaque. But it should be preferred if you are predisposed to bleeding gums, so as not to further injure them. If this problem bothers you greatly, then you should think about starting treatment for gingivitis. But the most versatile brushes to use are medium-hard brushes. They suit most people. Remember that the cleaning head of the toothbrush should not be large, otherwise its effectiveness will be reduced.
When choosing between a regular brush and an electric one, know that experts have not proven which one will be healthier for your teeth. The definite advantage of an electric brush is that it is easier to use and also more convenient for the elderly and children. Otherwise, its benefits depend on how you manage it. An ultrasonic brush is considered the most effective. It usually has several ultrasound frequencies, which allows it to kill bacteria not only on the surface, but also at a depth of 5 mm under the gum. This will be a good addition to a set of measures for the treatment of periodontitis. Any, even the best toothbrush should be changed every 3-4 months.
How to choose a good dental clinic?
Many people are accustomed to the fact that restaurants, cinemas, and shops are of different levels. Dental clinics are also divided by price level and quality of service. Of course, if a person chooses quality, then we should talk about premium dental clinics. For example, poor-quality dental restoration may not last as long as we would like. And this again means additional time, financial investments, nerves and discomfort.
Particular attention should be paid to the legal side of the issue. If a person goes to the clinic, as a rule, he signs a list of documents and receives legal guarantees.
Do not neglect the advice of friends or acquaintances - in this case, you can evaluate the quality of the services provided by the example of people close to you.
If the choice is between several unfamiliar doctors, you should pay attention to the website and social networks of the doctor or the clinic in which he works. Choose what will attract you the most and go for a consultation. Once you have a treatment plan, choosing will become much easier.
Which toothpaste should I use to brush my teeth?
The main purpose of toothpastes is to enhance the cleaning effect of the mechanical action of a toothbrush on the teeth. Therefore, they are based on foaming agents and abrasives. However, toothpastes not only help cleanse the surface of the teeth, but also have a preventive and therapeutic effect, for which active substances are added to them. Many people wonder which toothpaste is best for brushing their teeth. The answer is simple - the one that suits you best.
When choosing a paste, you need to focus on the problems that bother you. For example, people with sensitive teeth may benefit from non-abrasive toothpastes containing potassium chloride or strontium chloride. For those who have gum problems, toothpastes with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects are recommended. For the general prevention of caries and periodontal diseases, each of us should brush our teeth with toothpastes containing fluoride. But you shouldn't use them all the time. Pastes with fluoride should be alternated with pastes without it, which will also be useful for people with fluorosis (dental disease caused by an excess of fluoride in drinking water).
Important point! For complete teeth cleaning, just a 5 mm strip of toothpaste is enough.
In what case can a tooth be saved, and when is it better to place an implant?
This is a very controversial issue that is raised at almost all medical conferences. What are the indications for tooth extraction? If a tooth has most of its hard tissue intact and has no cracks or fractures, then it would be logical to preserve it, and it will still serve you.
However, there are cases when root caries or other defects are discovered that are incompatible with its preservation. Then it is better to install an implant. If the tooth has already been treated many times, the result of a new treatment may be minimal. Many are inclined towards installing an implant to save money and time in the future.
Today it has become a trend to send the patient for extraction if the tooth has a cyst. This sounds like a sentence! However, there is no need to rush. Many clinics are equipped with excellent equipment, and the technologies used by doctors make it possible to treat almost any tooth.
However, the decision whether to keep or remove a tooth should be made not by you, but by your attending physician.
What is an irrigator
A device for removing plaque and food debris from the oral cavity using a stream of water under pressure. It is also used for gum massage. Tap water is not advisable for use in an irrigator. It should be boiled or well cleaned, at room temperature. Irrigators come in different models, portable and stationary. Irrigator operating modes:
- jet - under strong pressure of water, pieces of food are washed away;
- shower - lower pressure removes small particles;
- gum hydromassage mode.
Portable models are powered by a rechargeable battery, stationary models are powered by an electrical outlet with a set of individual attachments for several people. The irrigator does not replace daily brushing of teeth; it is recommended for use 2-3 times a week. Well suited for those who have dental crowns and bridges installed. Before using the device, people with cardiovascular diseases need to consult a doctor.
An irrigator is a modern device for maintaining oral hygiene at an extremely high level, which is preferably used after brushing your teeth with a toothbrush. Its action is to supply a thin stream of liquid under pressure into the interdental spaces, under fixed dentures.
