Brushing Your Teeth Properly -- Here's How!
Every child knows -- you should brush your teeth twice a day. This applies to adults as well, by the way. But how exactly do you brush your teeth properly? And are electric or manual toothbrushes better? And which ones? Are additional products like dental floss or mouthwash really necessary? All of these questions are answered by dentist Dr. Roberto Lhotka right here.
Our saliva contains food residues and, most importantly, bacteria that attach themselves to our teeth. So-called plaque forms and wraps itself like a coat around each individual tooth. You can even feel this buildup with your tongue. The longer it remains on the tooth, the harder it is to remove. The problem is that plaque contains bacteria.
The excretions of these bacteria very quickly lead to bad breath, and the longer they have to act on the tooth, the greater the damage to the tooth. More precisely, the bacteria begin to attack the tooth enamel and penetrate the tooth layer by layer. This is how cavities form, which then cause toothache. Long-term damage can even mean that the bacteria reach the root and destroy it.
What Happens If You Don't Brush Your Teeth?
If you do not remove the plaque -- the layer full of bacteria around the tooth -- by brushing, it becomes increasingly thicker and harder. The bacteria multiply and cause damage to the tooth.
In summary, here are the consequences
- Development of bad breath
- Development of gum inflammation
- Gum recession (periodontitis, also known as periodontal disease, develops)
- Bleeding, painful gums
- Tooth decay
But How Do You Actually Clean Your Teeth Properly?
Everyone knows that you should brush your teeth regularly. However, how to really do it correctly and what you need to consider is explained here step by step.
Electric or Manual Toothbrush?
As a dentist, I fundamentally say:
it makes no difference whether you brush electrically or manually; what matters are the following 3 factors:
- Frequency of use
- Correctness of technique
- Suitable dental care products
Step 1: Toothpaste
Toothpaste is the most commonly used product for cleaning teeth -- and rightly so! Brushing without toothpaste is still better than not cleaning your teeth at all, but brushing with toothpaste is definitely better. Toothpastes contain many substances that additionally clean, protect, and can even rebuild our teeth!
Which Toothpaste Is the Right One?As a general rule: every toothpaste serves a different purpose -- some protect the tooth enamel, some work against periodontitis (periodontal disease). Of course, there are also many toothpastes that offer general protection. You simply need to decide what exactly you need and want.
Fluoride -- Yes or No?Time and again, I am asked whether fluoride in toothpaste is really as dangerous as many claim nowadays. Perhaps you have asked yourself this very question. Let me put your mind at ease: No, in such small amounts, fluoride is by no means dangerous; on the contrary, it helps protect your teeth. We have a post on our blog that goes into more detail about why fluoride is important for your teeth.
Are Tooth Powders Better?The ingredients in tooth powders are equivalent to those of toothpastes. The problem, however, is that you always dip the moist toothbrush into the container of tooth powder. This leaves moisture behind and bacteria develop. Even though many people prefer to use tooth powder for environmental reasons (zero waste), as a doctor I advise against it.
Once you have found the right toothpaste for yourself, the key is to also apply it correctly.
How to Use Toothpaste Correctly: Step by Step:
- More is not necessarily better! It is sufficient to apply the toothpaste sparingly to the toothbrush and then brush using the so-called Bass method:
- The toothbrush should be placed at a 45-degree angle at the gum line, very gently, without the bristles bending.
- With gentle vibrating movements, the plaque on the tooth and especially in the interdental spaces is loosened and lifted off the tooth.
- With a sweeping motion, the plaque is then finally removed.
- This method is called the Red-White technique, as the toothbrush moves from the (red) gum over the (white) tooth, thereby removing dental plaque.
- It is best to develop a system. Start with your mouth slightly closed on the outer surfaces of the upper teeth. Then continue with the vibrating movements from the center and make sure you brush all the way to the back, to the last tooth. Then repeat on the other side.
- When brushing the inside of the upper jaw: here the toothbrush is held not at an angle, but parallel.
- Continue to the front area of the incisors, on the inside of the upper jaw -- here you brush vertically.
- On the lower jaw at the back, the 45-degree rule applies again, and at the front you brush vertically once more.
- Finally, you must not forget the surfaces of the teeth and especially the back side of the last teeth.
Step 2: Dental Floss and Interdental Brushes
Often forgotten, they are essential for optimal dental care. You need these products to truly get the interdental spaces clean.
Whether waxed or not, tear off approximately 30-40 cm of dental floss, wrap it around both index fingers so that about 10-15 cm of floss can be pulled taut. Then carefully place the floss against the tooth and pull it up and down along the tooth neck. Do this tooth by tooth. Caution! No sawing motions -- they injure the gums.
If that is too complicated for you, I recommend interdental brushes. They are simply inserted into the interdental spaces -- please with care! -- and then pulled back out.
Step 3: Mouthwash
Mouthwash is important for rinsing residues of toothpaste and loosened food particles from the mouth, and therefore must not be omitted from optimal oral care. There are concentrates or ready-to-use mouthwashes. It is important to rinse thoroughly several times so that the entire oral cavity is washed out.
How Often, How Long, and When Should You Brush Your Teeth?
The golden rule is to brush twice daily, from red to white.
Ideally, brush once before breakfast and a second time after dinner. Before breakfast because tooth-hardening substances like fluoride can better act on the tooth surface. After breakfast, you should ideally chew a sugar-free gum. After dinner because otherwise bacteria will cause damage to your teeth throughout the entire night. It is extremely important to use dental floss or an interdental brush after the evening brushing routine. This is often underestimated, but it makes a significant difference since the toothbrush cannot reach everywhere.
Brushing with an Electric Toothbrush
The difference from brushing with a conventional toothbrush is that the electric toothbrush does the actual work, and therefore the normal brushing motions are rather counterproductive and actually hinder the toothbrush from doing its job.
So let the toothbrush do its work! Place the electric toothbrush on the gum line and move it slowly from tooth to tooth. Don't forget the tooth surfaces! Finally, massage the gums.
Which Electric Toothbrush Is the Best?There are many different technologies available. I personally use an ultrasonic electric toothbrush because I find it the most comfortable. As a general rule -- regardless of the toothbrush, what matters is regular use and a high-quality dental care product.
Rotating brushes:
You need to place the brush head parallel and meticulously brush each tooth individually. In doing so, each interdental space is precisely cleaned by the rotating motion. Spend about 10 seconds on each tooth and thus clean the entire tooth from the outside, inside, top, and also from the back.
Ultrasonic toothbrushes are easier to handle, as you can use the Bass method again, letting the toothbrush glide slowly over the teeth to be cleaned at a 45-degree angle, repeatedly sweeping downward and then returning to the gum line.
Important Notes:
Do not press too hard, on one hand to avoid damaging the gums or tooth enamel. This also prevents the bristles from bending, which is important because otherwise the brush will not work properly! Furthermore, for optimal oral hygiene, you should also regularly clean the toothbrush, preferably under running water. You should also replace it after extended use.
How Often, How Long, and When Should You Brush Your Teeth?
The golden rule is to brush twice daily, from red to white.
Ideally, brush once before breakfast and a second time after dinner. Before breakfast because tooth-hardening substances like fluoride can better act on the tooth surface. After breakfast, you should ideally chew a sugar-free gum. After dinner because otherwise bacteria will cause damage to your teeth throughout the entire night. It is extremely important to use dental floss or an interdental brush after the evening brushing routine. This is often underestimated, but it makes a significant difference since the toothbrush cannot reach everywhere.
After Brushing, You're Done!
It is absolutely important that no food or sweetened beverages are consumed afterward -- not even a bedtime snack or a goodnight drink. Overnight -- and that is about 8 hours, after all -- acid-producing bacteria can multiply extremely easily and lead to cavity formation. This is especially important for children, which is why please do not give sweetened tea or milk before bedtime.
Why Should You Use Dr. Lhotka Vienna Organics Dental Care?
I developed this dental care line to provide my patients with sustainable dental care that protects and rebuilds. That is why our toothpaste is recommended both for general use and for problems such as gum recession or tooth decay.
Dr. Lhotka Vienna Organics Toothpaste (Organic Toothpaste)
There is a lot to consider when buying toothpaste. This section is intended to help you evaluate whether our dental cleaning products are right for you.
In addition to the base essences that have a protective and healing effect on the gums, our toothpaste contains many additional substances, such as a high-quality, mild surfactant derived from coconut oil, as well as valuable amino acids that are essential for the toothpaste's effectiveness -- because without any foam, the select active ingredients cannot be delivered to the teeth and gums. Various types of mint, Irish moss, for example, give the toothpaste a pleasant taste that is not too intense, so that immediately after brushing, everything returns to its natural taste.
The use of silica with a mild abrasive effect instead of microplastics, as found in conventional toothpastes, means that our Tooth Paste can be used with both manual and electric toothbrushes.
The toothpaste also contains fluoride at a concentration of 1400 ppm. From a dentist's perspective, a toothpaste with fluoride is irreplaceable; in fact, there is currently no other way to sustainably protect the tooth surface or to repair micro-damage caused by acid-producing bacteria.
This gives us the ability to offer a universal toothpaste that protects both the gums and the teeth themselves.
The toothpaste is organically certified according to the strictest existing rules and standards and has therefore received the Natrue quality seal (international) as well as the Austria Bio-Garantie seal (national).
Dr. Lhotka Vienna Organics Mouth Wash (Organic Mouthwash)
Our mouthwash is an alcohol-based concentrate of our high-quality essences and thus perfectly complements our Tooth Paste. Due to the high concentration, just 1-2 drops dissolved in a glass of water are sufficient to rinse the mouth. Gargle with the solution without swallowing it. Pull the liquid through the teeth and then spit it out. Ideally, the concentrate should only be used after brushing your teeth and after using dental floss, to truly remove all residues.
However, it can also be used in between without any problem. This can help prevent bad taste or bad breath. To keep it handy and portable, the bottle, due to its size, also fits perfectly in any bag or carry-on luggage.
Dr. Lhotka Vienna Organics Dental Oil (Organic Dental Oil)
Our dental oil is often mistakenly used for so-called oil pulling. Oil pulling involves chewing oil in the mouth to release toxins. However, that is not what our dental oil is for. I developed this product to heal and prevent diseases and inflammations in the oral cavity. This includes, among other things, periodontitis (periodontal disease) and gum recession.
The basis here is once again the healing power of plants, as each strain of bacteria in our mouth can be matched with a plant essence that has an antibacterial effect on precisely those germs. The combination of these essences is what makes my dental oil unique.
Application: the oil is used after all dental cleaning procedures, ideally in the evening after brushing your teeth and rinsing with mouthwash. It is important not to spit it out, as the essences develop their effect best this way.
There are three ways to use Dr. Lhotka Vienna Organics Dental Oil:
- Apply a few drops to the toothbrush and slowly distribute it over the gums, both on the outside and inside, along the gum line.
- After cleaning, dip fresh dental floss into a few drops of oil and distribute it into the interdental spaces; do not rinse afterward.
- The best and most effective method, however, is to drip a few drops onto a flat, smooth surface. Then take a suitable interdental brush, dip it into the oil, and apply it directly into the interdental spaces. There, the oil can develop its full antibacterial effect overnight.
Dr. Lhotka Vienna Organics Lip Balm
I am often asked why there is a lip balm in a dental care line. The answer is quite simple: our lips and the area around them are also part of the mouth and should be cared for. Bacteria can also enter the oral cavity through the lips and especially through cracked corners of the mouth, causing damage there.
Our effective, antibacterial lip balm provides protection and care, and ensures smooth lips.
Apply several times a day as desired, but use sparingly!