Are you brushing, flossing and using mouthwash right? Dentists reveal the errors that raise the risk of decay and gum disease
We learn to brush our teeth as children, so as adults we probably feel as if we’ve got this part of life sorted. But when it comes to oral hygiene and keeping our mouths healthy and pain-free, dentists say their patients still make lots of mistakes.
As we age, our teeth can become more vulnerable to sensitivity and decay – so it’s never too late to refresh your dental health routine. Here, experts give us the lowdown.
The signs you need to change your toothbrush
Dr Sam Jethwa, president-elect of the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and an award-winning cosmetic dentist, recommends changing your manual toothbrush, or the head of an electric toothbrush every three months. He also says you should change it after you’ve been ill: “Your toothbrush harbours a lot of germs so it’s crucial it’s changed (these germs will also multiply much faster when in humid spaces such as the bathroom).”
If you’ve lost track of how long you’ve been using your toothbrush for then look out for frayed or bent bristles which indicate it’s time to switch. “Other signs include your toothbrush starting to smell, your teeth not feeling clean after brushing despite using a proper technique for the correct amount of time, and that the bristles may have hardened,” Dr Jethwa explains.
“On another note, if the bristles on your toothbrush are fraying before the three-month mark, this could be a sign that you are brushing your teeth too hard,” adds Dr Jethwa.
If you’re still using a manual toothbrush, it’s really time to stop
As soon as we get our first tooth as a baby we start to learn about the importance of keeping our teeth clean. We know that brushing twice a day for two minutes is key but there are some other things to take into consideration to keep your gums healthy and pearly whites as shiny as possible. Dr Sahil Patel, dentist and founder of the Marylebone Smile Clinic, says studies show that electric toothbrushes, “especially those with oscillating or rotating heads” are more effective at removing plaque and preventing gum disease, than manual toothbrushes. An electric toothbrush is obviously more pricey but worth the investment for its effectiveness – and most heads come in multipacks and are inexpensive.
Brush before, not after breakfast
Both Dr Patel and Dr Jethwa recommend brushing your teeth before breakfast to remove plaque and bacteria that build up overnight.
If you do want to brush your teeth after eating, Dr Jethwa says “it’s advisable to wait 30 minutes to avoid brushing the acids from foods around the teeth, causing tooth wear and sensitivity”. Fluoride needs time to work on your teeth so if you eat or drink straight after brushing it will wash off your enamel, making it less effective. This is why dentists and toothpaste manufacturers also say you shouldn’t rinse your mouth at the end of brushing.
Always use a toothpaste with fluoride, says Dr Jethwa. “Fluoride has been extensively researched in terms of how it strengthens tooth enamel – the hard outer covering on teeth – and reverses tooth decay”. This is vital for children as well as adults.
The right time to floss and use mouthwash
When it comes to flossing, the consensus among our experts was that you should floss and rinse your mouth once a day before brushing your teeth. Dr Patel says: “Flossing or using an interdental stick first helps remove debris and makes brushing more effective.” It also makes it easier for the fluoride from brushing to get in the gaps between your teeth to protect the enamel.
There’s some debate over when is the best time to use mouthwash. Many people have a swish around with it just before they head to bed but it seems that this may not be the optimal time. Dr Patel explains that it’s down to fluoride again: “Avoid using mouthwash immediately after brushing, as it can wash away fluoride from your toothpaste. Instead, use it at a different time of the day if needed for fresh breath.” He also recommends using it before brushing, to wash away food particles and prepare your mouth for the toothpaste.
Don’t forget about your tongue
Dentist Dr Snieguole Geige says tongue brushing or scraping is a really important part of looking after your mouth. “The surface of your tongue is covered with papillae, which can trap food particles, bacteria, and dead cells. If not removed, this can lead to bad breath, plaque build-up, and even contribute to gum disease or cavities,” she explains.
You can use a tongue scraper or toothbrush to clean this bacteria off your tongue, which will improve the overall health of your teeth and mouth. Dr Geige says you should make this part of your daily routine, after brushing your teeth and before rinsing with mouthwash. “I always advise using gentle pressure to avoid irritating the sensitive tissue of the tongue,” she explains.
As an extra bonus, she says it can also help make food and drink taste better because you’re “removing debris and promoting better saliva production”.
Snack smart
Dr Patel says it’s important to be aware of what you’re putting into your mouth. We know that things like sugary snacks, alcohol and cigarettes can have a detrimental effect on our teeth. He recommends choosing “crunchy fruits and vegetables like apples and carrots because they act as natural teeth cleaners, helping to scrub away plaque”.
Dry mouth? It could be the perimenopause
Dr Jethwa says he often sees teeth problems in women experiencing perimenopause and menopause. These could be tooth sensitivity, tooth decay and inflammation and pain in their gums (gingivitis). This is caused by a drop in oestrogen and other hormones as women reach middle age.
Dr Patel says dry mouth is also a symptom of perimenopause and it means you don’t have enough saliva to wash away food particles and neutralise damaging acids which increases your risk of tooth decay. Staying hydrated, chewing sugar-free gum and avoiding caffeine or alcohol can help with this.
Gingivitis is also common in pregnancy, with Dr Patel estimating that it affects 60-75 per cent of pregnant women. He says, for these reasons, women are more likely than men to visit the dentist regularly and perhaps take more care of themselves when it comes to oral hygiene.
Veneers need care too
Veneers are becoming more and more popular for both aesthetic and practical reasons. They are thin shells which go over your own teeth if you have issues with discoloration, chips or misalignment.
Once you’ve had them fitted they’re designed to be low maintenance and easy to clean. However, there are a few things our experts recommend to make sure you look after your veneers – which is important because they’re not cheap. Principal dentist Dr Deepa Chopra from Whites Dental, based in London says: “Smoking, fizzy drinks, and using teeth for tasks such as opening bottles can all shorten the lifespan of veneers.”
Chopra also says veneers can be damaged by hard foods like nuts or ice so you should take care when crunching these. “Other factors include using non-abrasive toothpaste, protecting against teeth grinding with a night guard, and maintaining a balanced diet. By following these steps, veneers can provide years of confident smiles,” she adds.
