How do we best care for our teeth? Dr. Jochen H. Schmidt explains the most common myths in an interview.
There are countless myths surrounding the topic of dental care. Some believe that electric toothbrushes are always better than conventional manual toothbrushes. Others believe that you should brush your teeth more than twice a day. And there is also a lot to discuss about dental floss, toothpaste and dentists. Dr. Jochen H. Schmidt, dental director of Carree Dental in Cologne, explains the most important facts in an interview with the news agency spot on news.
Manual toothbrush or electric toothbrush – which is better and why?
Dr. Jochen H. Schmidt: The main difference lies in the power: While the pace of brushing with a manual toothbrush is more leisurely, electric toothbrushes turn up to full speed thanks to the motor in the brush head. The rotating brushes can easily reach up to 80,000 revolutions per minute. Of course, this power is not without effect.
Electric toothbrushes are particularly advantageous for older or disabled people with limited fine motor skills: By automatically rotating the brush head back and forth, the teeth can be cleaned much more easily, i.e. without much movement. Another plus point: Thanks to their small, round brush head, electric brushes can also easily reach the back teeth.
But there are also weak points. In the worst case, incorrect handling can lead to injuries to the gums or the necks of the teeth.
If the “good old” manual toothbrush is preferred, plastic bristles are recommended. These are gentle on the gums and are less susceptible to bacteria than natural bristles.
How useful is dental floss?
Schmidt: Dental floss is ideal for those places where even small interdental brushes cannot reach. This is especially the case with teeth that are close together. It is also particularly recommended for cleaning under the gum line. If you use it once or twice a day, you shouldn’t use the floss too sparingly: so that it can easily get into all the spaces between your teeth, it’s best to use around 12 to 15 centimeters and roll a new piece from your finger for each space. The prophylaxis specialist at the dentist will be happy to demonstrate how best to proceed.
Dental floss or interdental brush?
The answer to this question depends not only on the size of the spaces between the teeth, but also on personal taste: While some people are better at using a brush, others are more adept at using dental floss. Both are suitable for optimizing daily oral care, but are of course never a replacement for thorough tooth brushing.
How often should you really have your teeth cleaned?
Schmidt: It is advisable to have a professional teeth cleaning (PZR) every six months, i.e. a thorough cleaning of all tooth surfaces in the doctor’s office.
And how often should a dentist check your teeth?
Schmidt: A check-up twice a year is also recommended. The health insurance companies cover the costs for this – as well as for tartar removal once a year.
How useful is a mouthwash?
Schmidt: Anyone who regularly uses mouthwash should not be sloppy when it comes to thorough dental care. Because these products usually don’t bring much more than fresh breath. The situation is different with mouthwashes: Although they cannot replace intensive interdental space care, they can be a useful supplement. Used continuously, they help prevent tooth decay and periodontitis. They also represent an alternative to dental floss when cleaning between teeth, especially for older people with motor impairments.
Which toothpastes are the best?
Schmidt: A high price is not necessarily a deciding factor in quality: tests have shown that cheap pastes often clean no worse than expensive products. An effective fluoride content is important. Because these mineral salts protect tooth enamel from acids and bacteria. They make teeth more resilient and are the best preventative measure against tooth decay. This applies in particular to amine, tin and sodium fluoride. Ingredients such as chamomile, panthenol or sage also have an anti-inflammatory effect.
Regular brushing is more important for our dental health than the choice of toothpaste. It’s all about the right technique: press the bristles gently against your teeth and then remove food residue and plaque with small, shaking movements. Always clean from the gums to the teeth. It is important to proceed systematically using the KAI method: First the chewing surfaces (K) are cleaned, then the outer surfaces (A) and last but not least the inner surfaces (I) are cleaned. Please don’t forget to care for the interdental space by flossing and brushing between the teeth. Regular professional teeth cleanings are also very important.
Is it enough to brush your teeth twice a day?
Schmidt: Yes, the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends brushing twice a day for about three minutes with toothpaste and a toothbrush, including once in combination with interdental care.
It’s not just those who frequently forget to clean their teeth that endanger their health. Even those who brush too hard are not doing their teeth any good. On the contrary: the gums shrink and the dentin is removed, resulting in open canals.
Is it better to brush your teeth before or after breakfast?
Schmidt: Basically, your teeth should be brushed after breakfast. Because plaque, when combined with bacteria, damages tooth enamel. It is therefore good if this is removed as quickly as possible after the morning meal.
Does chewing gum help with dental care?
Schmidt: If you value perfect oral hygiene around the clock, you can use dental care chewing gum more often. These increase saliva production and neutralize the acids in the mouth area. This not only promotes the cleanliness of the teeth from time to time, but also reduces the susceptibility to caries due to the increased buffering capacity of saliva.
How useful is a tongue cleaner?
Schmidt: It’s not just the thorough care of your teeth that’s important: small sins in other oral hygiene can also have serious health consequences. It is therefore best to clean your tongue with a special brush or tongue scraper after brushing your teeth. After all, it is a playground for tooth decay-causing bacteria. This special tongue brush removes bad breath-causing and pathogenic germs and is an ideal complement to dental care at home.