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No, brushing your teeth doesn't just consist of simply brushing them from top to bottom with a certain 'effusiveness', using the first toothpaste you have on hand.

Doing it well has its science and everything is based on two basic pillars: the choice of brush and toothpaste.

"The recommendation that I give my patients is that the

brush

should always be

electric

. As for the toothpaste, it should always contain fluoride and should not cause abrasion. It is also a plus to use whitening toothpastes that give a sensation of freshness", explains Dr. Carlos Saiz, an expert in dental aesthetics at the Carlos Saiz Smile Clinics, Madrid and Barcelona.

According to the experts at Sanitas Dental in the 'A perfect smile' guide, it is "

to renew the brush every three months

or whenever we see it worn".

How many times do we have to brush our teeth a day?

The ideal would be to brush our teeth

after each meal

or, at least,

twice a day,

focusing on

hygiene between the teeth,

using

interdental brushes or dental floss.

Although on vacation, it may be more complicated for us, Dr. Saiz emphasizes the importance of maintaining, as far as possible, our routines because "neglecting hygiene can increase

gum problems

such as gingivitis".

To avoid this, he recommends "

rinsing your mouth after every meal

or carrying a small travel bag with a mini toothbrush."

What would a correct toothbrushing look like: sense, duration, 'strength'?

"The ideal is to use an electric brush and gently pass it over each tooth and with

circular movements

. Brushing quickly is not effective. You have to take time for the cleaning to be correct. Ideally, the duration should be about

three or four minutes

".

What if we don't have an electric toothbrush?

Then, the 'maneuver' changes: you have to make

rotary movements from front to back on all the teeth.

What do we do with the gums and the tongue?

"The

gums

must be brushed gently because it is a very sensitive area. Obviously, the

tongue

must also be brushed. Failure to do so causes

dirt to be dragged onto the teeth

, especially from behind, which can cause the appearance of more

tartar

. ".

We continue.

What do we do if our gums bleed?

"The best thing is to go to the clinic so that we can carry out a study of why they bleed and, from there, prescribe the most appropriate brushing routine and treatment if necessary."

Is it good to use

mouthwashes

?

"Yes, but in moderation and it should be emphasized that its use, in no case, replaces brushing. In fact, there are studies that indicate that

excessive use could eliminate microorganisms that are beneficial to our teeth

. Another important fact is that mouthwashes should always be

alcohol-free

."

How can we know if we are doing things right?

"If we follow these tips and are

constant

, there would be no doubt. But the ideal is to go to the dentist to make an expert assessment of the brushing routine."

Finally, Dr. Carlos Saiz gives us his practical advice to take care of our mouth.

"Drinking

carbonated drinks and acidic foods

dissolve the enamel, so we should not abuse it.

Alcohol

is also harmful to the teeth. Consumed regularly, it dries out the mouth, wears out the calcium in the teeth and produces bad breath."

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