What’s the rush when you brush!

   We have been brushing our teeth since the time we could remember. But do you really know how to brush properly or why we do it? Here we are with some perception of proper brushing to keep you free from decay and gingival problems.

Why do we brush?

   All hail the plaque!

  Plaque is nothing but a mass of bacteria that sticks to the tooth surface in the mouth. At first it is usually colourless but with time it becomes resilient and changes into yellow-greyish colour.

  The number of bacteria in a single tooth surface can exceed 10‍⁹ cells. They are found in colonies (biofilm). Tooth brushing removes most but not all bacteria.

   This plaque build-up causes gum diseases (gingivitis) and decay. When plaque is left for a longer time without cleaning, this can even affect the bone around the tooth.

   Plaque can be present both above and below the gum line. Hence it is important you have a precise oral health care above and under the gum line.

  With time plaque hardens (mineralise) to become calculus (tartar) which can not be removed by brushing. At this stage it is high time to get a

professional cleaning from a dentist (scaling) before you lose your teeth.

Tips for tooth brushing…

• Brushing should be done for about 3-5minutes (not more not less!)
• A medium bristle for adults and a soft bristle for elderly would be appropriate. Hard bristles can wear off your tooth structure.
• Try not to scrub your teeth. Harder is not always better.
• Tooth brush should be changed once in 3-4 months.
• It is good to wait for 30 minutes before you brush, after a meal.
• Gum line and tongue cleaning is as important as brushing your teeth.
• While selecting tooth paste, make sure the paste is not grainy when you feel it between your fingers.
• Electric tooth brush also does a good job in cleaning teeth.

Brushing technique:

1.    Head of the brush should be parallel to teeth with bristles towards gum line.

2.    Place the bristles of tooth brush pointing at 45˚ toward gum line.

3.    Using firm and gentle pressure with a circular motion, covering 2-3 teeth at a time.

4.    After few strokes, roll the brush head away from gum line, removing the plaque and food particles with it.

5.    To brush inside of upper and lower teeth, hold the brush in a vertical position pointing the bristles toward gum line in a sweeping motion.

6.    Make sure you cover all surfaces of all teeth.  

    Another important and often neglected part is flossing. While tooth brushing cleans 70% of teeth surfaces other 30% is done by flossing.

Why brushing at night should be made a sacrosanct?

       Plaque maturation is undisturbed at night making it difficult to remove. Hence brushing at night is important to disturb this process.

      Bacteria can feed on the residual food in your mouth and releases acid. This causes tooth decay.

You don’t have to brush all your teeth but just the ones you want to keep!

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