Brushing does so much more than simply keep your mouth fresh and healthy throughout the day. From the start, there are over one million different types of bacteria inside our mouth. While some like the bacteria assisting with digestion are friendly, there are those that cause severe damage to your gums and teeth and result with serious health disease. These species also proactively work for plaque and cavities. Not taking proper precautions also hinders the formation of plaque which will eventually turn worse into tartar. Tartar leads to a variety of oral diseases alongside bad breath which alters your normal day to day activities. Brushing your teeth helps to treat plaque and freshens breath.
Q & A
Q. How Many Times Is Too Many? How Many Is Too Little?
A. Brushing twice a day– once when you wake up, and once before sleeping is optimal. Try to brush after each meal if time allows. Over brushing can speed up enamel erosion while not brushing at all for long periods results in plaque and bacteria buildup which can cause cavities and gum disease.
Q. What Happens When You Don’t Brush Your Teeth?
A. Not brushing leads to bad breath and can negatively impact your health in the long run. From my own experience, this is what happens when someone does not take care of their teeth.
• Plaque Buildup: For each hour of not brushing, plaque begins formation on one’s teeth. This layer of bacteria produces acid that leads to cavities, and without brushing, enamel is damaged.
• Gum Inflammation (Gingivitis): With poor brushing habits, plaque spreads to ground layer where it causes redness, swelling, and bleeding. If untreated it leads to periodontitis, with later stages having wider symptoms such as loosening teeth and in the worst case, losing them.
• Tooth Decay: If left untreated, decay can reach the inner layers of the tooth which can cause severe pain and infection from bacteria. Over time, unlike the above example, the acid from the bacteria breaks down enamel causing cavities.
• Issues with Health Complications: The gap between the mouth and rest of the body is huge from the point of view of healthcare. Serious issues can arise which include heart complications, breathing infectious diseases, and diabetes. Bacteria from one’s mouth may travel to the blood streams and trigger inflammation.
Q. What Is the Right Way to Brush?
A. Brushing technique matters as much as frequency. Brushing too hard or with the wrong motion is a common mistake people make. Here’s the proper circular technique for effective brushing:
Use small circular motions instead of scrubbing side to side or up and down. This minimizes the risk of damaging the enamel while helping remove plaque. Ensure that you brush for an adequate amount of time, two minutes at least to fully clean the brushings surfaces. Most people fail in this regard, brushing only 30-45 seconds. To remove plaque that may be hiding at the gum line, hold the brush to the gums while angling it at 45 degrees. Be sure not to neglect the tongue and back teeth. The tongue is bacteria rich that causes bad breath.
Q. What Kind of Toothbrush Bristles is Best?
A. Brush bristles come in soft, medium and hard options. Here is to whom each category applies:
Soft bristles: Best for a majority of people as they remove plaque while also not damaging the enamel or agitating the gums. Medium bristles: people with good eyesight are able to use but should only if they are able to exert a gentle touch. Hard bristles: Generally, not suggested as they can shortened the life of your gums and enamel as well as recession. Some people with heavy plaque may need it, but if only their dentist allows them to use it.
Dr. Sindhu U Muktamath, HOD – Dental Science, Aster Whitefield Hospital, Bengaluru
