How long should I brush my teeth?
What are the new tooth brushing time recommendations?
It's difficult to stick to brushing your teeth for three minutes three times a day. How long should you actually brush your teeth for effective tooth cleaning? How long do you actually need to brush your teeth to get clean teeth?
This article is part of a broader theme, which is dental hygiene. We have an article that covers this topic in a comprehensive manner: dental hygiene
So when and how should you brush your teeth? How often should you brush your teeth? How long should you brush your teeth for?
You want to have beautiful teeth, and you're right. But you're still wondering how often and for how long to brush your teeth, and when to brush them for healthy teeth and proper brushing?
The French Union for Oral Health (UFSBD), taking into consideration the realities of daily life and in light of current scientific knowledge, decided at the end of October 2013 to reformulate the "essential rules of oral health" and to redefine the time for brushing teeth.
Instead of brushing three times, morning, noon and evening, after each meal, we move to a reduced amount of brushing time per day since two brushings morning and evening are sufficient.
How long should you brush your teeth? Brushing time is reduced to 2 minutes.
Tooth brushing time has also been reduced, from 3 to 2 minutes. New scientific data shows that the plaque responsible for tooth decay forms more slowly than previously thought (over a dozen hours). Therefore, brushing in the middle of the day is less important, as long as the other two brushings are done correctly.
This change is due to old recommendations which were very rarely followed: less than one in four French people respected the three-minute brushing routine, with an average duration of 43 to 57 seconds!
In other words, the French still have to double their brushing time to reach the two-minute limit!
We remind you that brushing your teeth removes dental debris lodged in all the spaces between the teeth and between the teeth and the gum.
And, only time can effectively remove plaque. Brushing for 43 to 57 seconds only removes about half of the newly formed plaque.
The UFSBD explains that two brushings can be enough if you're in a hurry... If done properly, but also and especially if this daily ritual is part of a more in-depth oral hygiene strategy, these brushings should last at least two minutes, and ideally be done with fluoride toothpaste. You should also complete them with dental floss every evening and use a mouthwash.
You should also schedule an annual dental appointment. Taking care of your teeth also involves "a balanced diet that avoids foods containing hidden sugars and snacking between meals." Chewing sugar-free gum and rinsing your mouth with a glass of water after each meal is also strongly recommended by the UFSBD.
Indeed, the rules of when to brush your teeth have evolved with our pace of life. It is indeed preferable to set sustainable rules rather than unsustainable rules, especially since oral health in our industrialized countries has tended to improve significantly in recent years.
In reality you should brush your teeth when you are at home, in the morning and in the evening preferably just after eating or before going to bed if it is in your habits. So for a clear answer to the question when to brush your teeth and how often to brush your teeth: it is twice a day , once in the morning and once in the evening. Now you have the answer to the question of how many times to brush your teeth. Let's move on to the other questions that certainly interest you just as much: How to brush your teeth and especially how to brush your teeth properly?
You are interested in the health of your teeth and you are right!! But are you also interested in the health of our planet? And in made in France? If so, discover the ecological and made in France toothbrushes from our Caliquo brand by following this link: French and ecological toothbrush
How to brush your teeth properly? How to brush your teeth properly?
In the first paragraph, we answered the question of how many times a day should you brush your teeth? Brushing your teeth twice a day is good, but you still need to brush your teeth properly and brush them well. In this paragraph, we'll look at how to brush your teeth properly. Brushing your teeth will no longer hold any secrets for you, at least we hope! So, let's focus on brushing your teeth itself.
Each person has more or less fragile teeth. It's a question of genes, diet, certain medical treatments, your eating habits but above all the way you take care of your dental cleaning!!
And yes, it's not very sexy, but the more fragile your teeth are from the start or weakened by bad habits or other things, the more you'll have to pamper your little teeth and have a fantastic teeth cleaning!!
To clean between your teeth properly and do an effective teeth cleaning there are two important and crucial things: having the right gesture and doing it for a long time. Indeed, the right gesture avoids damaging your gums and getting more things stuck between your teeth. The second key to success is to do this right gesture for a long time (we will come back to this). The right gesture to have a good teeth cleaning is to brush your teeth with a soft toothbrush and to clean almost one tooth after the other by making movements from top to bottom and not from bottom to top!!
It's not intuitive at all and it doesn't resemble at all what we were taught when we were little! It's a gesture that is therefore not continuous, you actually have to sweep the teeth from top to bottom for the upper teeth and from bottom to top for the lower teeth. Always moving away from the gum so as not to trap particles under the gum. We will try to make a tooth brushing video. Let us know by email if you would be interested in a video to show you the correct gesture to clean your teeth?
A short advertising interlude: at Caliquo, we take care of the health of your teeth, but also of our planet by manufacturing ecological brushes, Made in France, which you can discover by clicking here .
You can also check out our article on solid toothpaste, which gives you good reasons to use it, as well as recipes for making it and places to buy it. The article is right here: solid toothpaste
Another question we are often asked is: can you brush your teeth without toothpaste?
Sometimes we run out of toothpaste, what should we do in this case? Can we brush our teeth without toothpaste? The answer is yes, it is better to brush/brush our teeth without toothpaste than not brushing our teeth at all. Not brushing our teeth will leave a lot of deposits between our teeth and that is not good at all. The most cleaning activity for our teeth is brushing, provided by the brush and not by the toothpaste. Toothpaste promotes brushing by making foam and providing small granules that loosen the dirt, but the majority of the action is provided by the brush and the action of your elbow. So sure, you won't have the great taste of mint in your mouth, but if you have no more toothpaste at home: you can brush your teeth without toothpaste.
We hope you now have everything you need to clean your teeth properly. In this article, I tried to give you all the steps of brushing your teeth, sorry if it was a bit long. Personally, when I brush my teeth, I try to respect all these steps as much as possible, but it's not always easy. I think the most important thing is to be regular in your brushing and also not to eat too much sugar :)
Discover Caliquo's eco-friendly, made-in-France toothbrushes by following this link: French, eco-friendly toothbrush
Caution: gum inflammation!
Did you know that 50% of dental problems are caused by poorly maintained gums that turn into gum inflammation? The key to poor oral hygiene is the formation of bacterial plaque and tartar (formed by the accumulation of bacteria and food debris), which lodges on the teeth but also under the gums and leads to inflammation, gingivitis and other periodontitis. By gradually loosening them and causing a loss of bone support, these gum inflammations can even lead to tooth loss in adults.
Whether it is gingivitis (local inflammation of the gums) or periodontitis (deep inflammation that weakens the supporting structure of the tooth), the most important symptoms are bleeding gums and pain, which is more acute in the case of periodontitis.
If you have a habit of bleeding when you brush your teeth, if your gums are sore or if they are red and swollen, it is therefore important to consult your dentist quickly in order to establish a diagnosis and carry out any necessary treatments because you most likely have gum inflammation.
To enjoy thriving oral health, simply brushing your teeth after every meal isn't enough. Regular routine checkups with your dentist go a long way in preventing gingivitis (local gum inflammation), which, if left untreated, gradually develops into periodontitis.
Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums that occurs in patients with poor oral hygiene. Periodontitis, on the other hand, is a more serious condition that contributes to gum damage and, over time, destroys the bone that supports the teeth.
Gum Inflammation: How to Avoid It?
To take care of your gums and maintain them on a daily basis, certain actions are necessary:
– Brush your teeth after each meal to remove plaque and prevent gum inflammation (at least twice a day).
– Choose a soft or medium toothbrush and change it regularly and don’t wait until it is damaged.
– Choose an antibacterial toothpaste suitable for sensitive gums.
– For effective brushing, clean your teeth from top to bottom (i.e. starting at the gums and moving towards the teeth) and not horizontally.
– Supplement your brushing routine with dental floss or interdental brushes to remove plaque from areas that a toothbrush can't reach. You can also occasionally use mouthwash to perfect your oral hygiene.
– Avoid tobacco and alcohol consumption which promote inflammation.
– Have your teeth checked every year (even more regularly if you are pregnant, as pregnancy promotes the process of gum inflammation).
Gum inflammation: what about scaling?
Despite regular brushing, plaque can persist and turn into tartar over time. Tartar also contributes to oral health problems and gum inflammation, so it's essential to remove it regularly. So, remember to visit your dentist frequently for scaling.
How to brush your teeth properly?
There's no such thing as equality when it comes to teeth whiteness. The natural color of teeth and how it evolves are not the same for everyone. Adding to this inequality are environmental factors that contribute to tooth discoloration: eating habits, smoking, medication use, etc. Discover the good habits to adopt to keep your teeth white or to restore their original shine through personal or professional treatments.
It is recommended to brush your upper jaw first, then your lower jaw. Also, remember to brush from the gum toward the tooth, not the other way around or horizontally, i.e., from one side of the mouth to the other. Remember to floss daily.
Tooth enamel is slightly porous, meaning it is made up of tiny gaps into which fine particles of certain foods can penetrate. This is why teeth quickly become discolored after eating blueberries or wine, for example.
Any colored foods or drinks tend to stain teeth, so it's advisable to avoid them or brush your teeth quickly after consuming them. Also avoid acidic foods, such as citrus fruits or products made with refined sugars, which weaken the enamel and increase its porosity.
Brushing your teeth twice a day is the best!
Ideally, you should brush your teeth after every meal, for three long minutes, and of course, avoid snacking between meals. But when you eat in the cafeteria or at the office, it's not always easy to keep up this rhythm, and you only need to try this gesture for three minutes once to realize that it's almost impossible to follow these recommendations. This is why many more pragmatic dentists today set a reasonable goal: two one-minute brushings per day, in the morning after breakfast and in the evening after dinner. And everyone should be able to do it! Brushing in this way, spread out about 12 hours apart, helps limit the damage caused by bacterial attacks and plaque formation.
Here's a little tip if you can't brush your teeth at lunchtime: chew sugar-free gum or eat an apple. Both help clean your teeth without leaving sugar on them or getting stuck in the spaces between your teeth. Avoid snacking between meals, especially sweet treats if you're prone to plaque buildup.
But to brush your teeth properly, you still need to have suitable equipment that is gentle on your gums.
A quality toothbrush and toothpaste!
The French are big fans of very hard toothbrushes, but these are not very gentle on the gums, and when we know that many people suffer from periodontal disease, it's time to change their style. To brush your teeth properly, choose a toothbrush with soft bristles in case of gum problems or intermediate (medium) bristles.
Having a toothbrush isn't enough; you also need the right toothpaste. No fluoride for toddlers; that'll come later. Choose a special flavor that will make brushing more fun. As they grow, be sure to get a fluoride toothpaste, and one specifically designed for children who wear braces.
For adults, several factors come into play. If you have fragile gums or sensitive teeth, it's essential to use a suitable toothpaste that will respect and protect your teeth and gums. There are also toothpastes designed for nighttime use: to slow the multiplication of bacterial agents and to help the enamel resist better during this long period of inactivity.
The right toothbrush but also the right gesture!
By learning how to brush your teeth properly, you'll also learn how to maintain healthy teeth and gums, minimizing the risk of cavities and gum problems, which are the causes of tooth loss. Therefore, it's very important to follow the steps of brushing your teeth correctly for optimal results.
There are different methods of brushing your teeth with a manual brush, but it is always best to seek advice from your dentist and follow their instructions.
Here are the steps to follow for brushing your teeth :
Step 1: Start with the inside and outside surfaces and brush at a 45-degree angle, using small strokes, half the width of the tooth in contact with the gum line. Clean the back of your teeth thoroughly.
Step 2: Move on to the chewing surfaces. Hold the brush flat and scrub these surfaces.
Step 3: Once you have reached the inner surfaces of your teeth, tilt the brush vertically and clean in small strokes, using the tip of the brush.
Step 4: Gently clean the edge of the gum.
Step 5: Brush your tongue from back to front to remove food debris and odor-causing bacteria and freshen your breath.
Proper tooth brushing should be done gently. Don't apply too much pressure to avoid wearing down your enamel. Repeat this process twice a day, for at least 1 minute.
Can you brush your teeth with Marseille soap?
YES, it's possible! Marseille soap can be another alternative to traditional toothpaste. For this, it's best to use green Marseille soap with olive oil. This will have a good effect against tartar and will strengthen your gums. Another eco-friendly solution for beautiful, clean, white teeth.
How to brush your teeth with Marseille soap?
For a good brushing with Marseille soap, I recommend moistening your toothbrush first and then simply rubbing it lightly on the soap. That's it, you're ready to brush your teeth ! And remember to clean it well after brushing.
How to clean a toothbrush?
Once you're done brushing your teeth, some people tend to rinse them and put them back in their holder, but that's not enough. Remember, there are oral bacteria and moisture in your bathroom, so you need to maintain impeccable dental hygiene if you don't want to have any health problems.
- Clean your toothbrush with warm water, not cold water, to eliminate bacteria.
- Let it soak for 30 minutes in your mouthwash
- Dip your toothbrush in boiling water with a tablespoon of white vinegar. Leave it overnight and rinse it with cold water.
- Soak your toothbrush in hydrogen peroxide overnight.
It's up to you to choose the cleaning method of your choice to disinfect your toothbrush.
These toothbrushing tips also apply to children. I invite you to discover our range of toothbrushes for children: here
Caliquo is a French brand that produces eco-responsible everyday items.
We obviously have several articles that cover this topic in more detail:
The importance of brushing your teeth twice a day
How long should you brush your teeth?
How to maintain your toothbrush
How to brush your teeth properly
We also wrote an article on how to avoid bleeding gums right here: Bleeding Gums
Our specific article on the benefits of dental flossing right here: dental floss
We wrote an article on how to make your own mouthwash: Making Your Own Mouthwash
If you are interested in this subject, discover our more specific articles: