Tips for healthy teeth

Clean and healthy teeth improve your quality of life – but it takes a lot of work. Several factors play a role in keeping our teeth healthy, such as diet, oral hygiene, care products and smoking. So it’s important to think about dental care. Joelle Schoppig, dental hygienist at swiss smile, explains how we can keep smiling.

When should we clean our teeth?

Bacteria within the plaque breaks sugar down into acid, which gradually dissolves the enamel in the teeth. So, tooth decay happens over time as a result of plaque on the surface of the teeth and sugar. In the past, dentists recommended waiting at least 30 minutes before cleaning your teeth. Today, dental experts recommend that you clean your teeth straight after eating so your teeth are exposed quickly to fluoride.

Do diet products help prevent tooth decay?

Although diet products contain less sugar than other foods, they also contain acid which attacks the teeth. So, you still have to clean your teeth after eating diet products.

Do electric toothbrushes clean better?

Electric toothbrushes are better than manual ones.  They do clean your teeth better.However, if you clean your teeth systematically for at least two minutes, manual toothbrushes can still achieve excellent results.

Should you floss every day?

Time is a key factor in tooth decay. The longer your teeth are dirty, the more likely cavities are to form. Therefore, plaque should be removed at least once a day. You can use dental floss or an interdental brush to clean the spaces in-between your teeth.

Should you rinse your mouth out after cleaning your teeth?

In the past, the rule was to clean your teeth, spit out the toothpaste and rinse your mouth out. Today, dentists recommend keeping the fluoride on your teeth for as long as possible because it has a protective effect. So: brush your teeth, spit out the toothpaste and – you’re finished!