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.

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

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 your 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 3 times 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 is essential to use a suitable toothpaste that will respect and protect your teeth and gums. There are also toothpastes suitable 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 will also learn how to maintain healthy teeth and gums, minimizing the risk of cavities and gum problems, which are the causes of tooth loss.

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.

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.