DENTAL CARE

    Oral hygiene: 7 tips for proper dental care

    Is it enough to brush your teeth for three minutes? How do I properly clean my dentures? What does it take to ensure that caries, periodontitis, etc. don't stand a chance?

    Zahngesundheit

    Grinding, chewing, crushing – your teeth work hard at every meal. It is no accident that the jaw muscle is the strongest muscle in the body. At the same time, during meals, the teeth absorb minerals from the food via the saliva to repair minor damage. In order for this self-healing process to take place, a balanced oral flora is important.

    Bacteria impact oral health

    The mouth is home to several hundred million bacteria – not unlike the intestines. They form part of the digestive process, oral health and even the immune system because they fight pathogens. An imbalance in the oral flora, i.e. if harmful bacteria predominate, can lead to caries, bleeding gums or periodontitis (inflammation of the periodontium). One of the reasons for this: the bacteria feed on leftover food. They convert leftovers from a meal into plaque, while simultaneously producing metabolic products and acids that attack the tooth surface or which can get into the gums and cause inflammation there. The best counter-strategy and therefore the most effective method to achieve a good oral flora and clean, healthy and beautiful teeth is proper oral hygiene.

    These seven dental care tips will help:

    1. The correct cleaning technique

    With a manual toothbrush, the correct cleaning technique is crucial: many people clean their teeth using circular movements. However, this can push gums back. Small, juddering movements directed from the gums towards the teeth are better. This loosens the plaque under the gum line and on the tooth itself and then removes it using a wiping motion towards the chewing surface. The chewing surfaces should be cleaned using back and forth movements. In total, brushing your teeth twice a day for three minutes is sufficient. Regular, much longer cleaning can remove too much tooth enamel.

    Mann beim Zähne putzen

    1. The correct cleaning technique

    With a manual toothbrush, the correct cleaning technique is crucial: many people clean their teeth using circular movements. However, this can push gums back. Small, juddering movements directed from the gums towards the teeth are better. This loosens the plaque under the gum line and on the tooth itself and then removes it using a wiping motion towards the chewing surface. The chewing surfaces should be cleaned using back and forth movements. In total, brushing your teeth twice a day for three minutes is sufficient. Regular, much longer cleaning can remove too much tooth enamel.

    2. Consider the spaces between your teeth

    Even with good dental care, the toothbrush only reaches around 70 percent of the tooth surfaces. It can only reach the interdental spaces inadequately or not at all. That is where plaque, the bacterial biofilm as well as the smallest food residues collect – a breeding ground for caries and periodontitis. Very narrow spaces between the teeth should therefore be cleaned with dental floss once a day; interdental brushes are suitable for all remaining spaces. You will be taught how to use them both without injuring your gums when you visit your dentist or have your teeth professionally cleaned.

    Zahnseide

    2. Consider the spaces between your teeth

    Even with good dental care, the toothbrush only reaches around 70 percent of the tooth surfaces. It can only reach the interdental spaces inadequately or not at all. That is where plaque, the bacterial biofilm as well as the smallest food residues collect – a breeding ground for caries and periodontitis. Very narrow spaces between the teeth should therefore be cleaned with dental floss once a day; interdental brushes are suitable for all remaining spaces. You will be taught how to use them both without injuring your gums when you visit your dentist or have your teeth professionally cleaned.

    3. Get the results checked

    A thorough and effective oral hygiene includes an annual checkup at the dentist. Only an expert can, for example, diagnose defects such as damage to the enamel, tooth decay or receding gums. These are often not visible or noticeable for the layperson. The visit is doubly worthwhile: anyone who has a complete bonus booklet in Germany will later receive higher subsidies for prostheses, crowns and bridges from their health insurance company. A professional tooth cleaning (abbreviated: PTC) should be carried out once or twice a year, during which the teeth are thoroughly cleaned and polished, so that plaque does not stick so easily. A final seal strengthens the enamel.

    Vorsorgeuntersuchung beim Zahnarzt

    3. Get the results checked

    A thorough and effective oral hygiene includes an annual checkup at the dentist. Only an expert can, for example, diagnose defects such as damage to the enamel, tooth decay or receding gums. These are often not visible or noticeable for the layperson. The visit is doubly worthwhile: anyone who has a complete bonus booklet in Germany will later receive higher subsidies for prostheses, crowns and bridges from their health insurance company. A professional tooth cleaning (abbreviated: PTC) should be carried out once or twice a year, during which the teeth are thoroughly cleaned and polished, so that plaque does not stick so easily. A final seal strengthens the enamel.

    4. Apply only a little pressure

    Too much pressure is counterproductive when brushing your teeth – instead of plaque, the enamel is removed. If the gums bleed during cleaning, this is a clear warning signal. For protection, electric toothbrushes often have an integrated warning light. When using a manual toothbrush, a test with a set of kitchen scales can be helpful to develop a feeling for the right amount of pressure. To do this, press the toothbrush head lightly onto the scales, if a weight of more than 150 g is displayed this is too much. Anyone who already has defects on their teeth caused by cleaning, such as grooves or indentations or regularly suffers from gum injuries, should not only pay attention to the right pressure but also use a soft toothbrush. However, the latter’s cleaning power is somewhat reduced – which is why it is advisable to clean even more thoroughly.

     

    Zähne putzen

    4. Apply only a little pressure

    Too much pressure is counterproductive when brushing your teeth – instead of plaque, the enamel is removed. If the gums bleed during cleaning, this is a clear warning signal. For protection, electric toothbrushes often have an integrated warning light. When using a manual toothbrush, a test with a set of kitchen scales can be helpful to develop a feeling for the right amount of pressure. To do this, press the toothbrush head lightly onto the scales, if a weight of more than 150 g is displayed this is too much. Anyone who already has defects on their teeth caused by cleaning, such as grooves or indentations or regularly suffers from gum injuries, should not only pay attention to the right pressure but also use a soft toothbrush. However, the latter’s cleaning power is somewhat reduced – which is why it is advisable to clean even more thoroughly.

     

    5. Do not forget the tongue

    What many people don’t know: the bacteria that can cause bad breath, tooth decay or inflammation also accumulate on the tongue. Consequently, the tongue should also be cleaned during your daily oral hygiene. A special scraper (available in chemists or pharmacies) or a toothbrush are suitable for this purpose. This reduces the number of bacteria throughout the entire oral cavity.

    spezieller Schaber für den Mund

    5. Do not forget the tongue

    What many people don’t know: the bacteria that can cause bad breath, tooth decay or inflammation also accumulate on the tongue. Consequently, the tongue should also be cleaned during your daily oral hygiene. A special scraper (available in chemists or pharmacies) or a toothbrush are suitable for this purpose. This reduces the number of bacteria throughout the entire oral cavity.

    6. Apply an extra dose of protection

    The trace element fluoride is a natural tooth component. Applied externally, it strengthens the teeth and reduces the risk of tooth decay. Clinicians, therefore, often recommend it from the moment the first milk teeth erupt in children. A good fluoride supply can be achieved with lozenges or special children's toothpastes. The German Dental Association recommends toothpastes containing fluoride from the age of six. Children can then, for example, use their parents' toothpaste, for example Lacalut® active toothpaste). Anyone who, after brushing their teeth, pulls the foam through their teeth once more and then spits it out but does not rinse their mouth out with water, offers their teeth a particularly thorough supply of fluoride. The trace element can then continue to work on the tooth surface.

    Zahnpasta mit Fluorid

    6. Apply an extra dose of protection

    The trace element fluoride is a natural tooth component. Applied externally, it strengthens the teeth and reduces the risk of tooth decay. Clinicians, therefore, often recommend it from the moment the first milk teeth erupt in children. A good fluoride supply can be achieved with lozenges or special children's toothpastes. The German Dental Association recommends toothpastes containing fluoride from the age of six. Children can then, for example, use their parents' toothpaste, for example Lacalut® active toothpaste). Anyone who, after brushing their teeth, pulls the foam through their teeth once more and then spits it out but does not rinse their mouth out with water, offers their teeth a particularly thorough supply of fluoride. The trace element can then continue to work on the tooth surface.

    7. Dentures also need optimal dental care

    The following applies to artificial dentures: like your own teeth, they should be cleaned twice a day after eating because food residues, bacteria and dead mucous membrane cells also adhere to removable dentures, i.e. third teeth. The result is prosthesis plaque. Just like plaque on real teeth, this can also cause tooth decay and other diseases, if it is not removed regularly. In the morning, after eating, dentures should therefore be cleaned  outside the mouth using a toothbrush or special denture brush.

    Reinigung des herausnehmbarem Zahnersatz

    7. Dentures also need optimal dental care

    The following applies to artificial dentures: like your own teeth, they should be cleaned twice a day after eating because food residues, bacteria and dead mucous membrane cells also adhere to removable dentures, i.e. third teeth. The result is prosthesis plaque. Just like plaque on real teeth, this can also cause tooth decay and other diseases, if it is not removed regularly. In the morning, after eating, dentures should therefore be cleaned  outside the mouth using a toothbrush or special denture brush.

    Dental care

    Prophylaxis – the best protection for your teeth

    There is hardly another area of the body for which this rule applies as much as for the mouth: prevention is the best protection. Here, we show you everything you can do.

    Zahn Prophylaxe
      DENTAL CARE

      Prophylaxis – the best protection for your teeth

      There is hardly another area of the body for which this rule applies as much as for the mouth: prevention is the best protection. Here, we show you everything you can do.

      Zahn Prophylaxe