The best dentistry is preventive dentistry. Here’s what you should do daily to keep your teeth healthy and avoid costly problems.
Brushing — the foundation
Twice a day, minimum 2 minutes. Morning and evening, after meals.
Correct technique
- Use a brush with soft or medium bristles — not hard
- Place the brush at 45° to the gum
- Short, circular movements, tooth by tooth
- Clean all surfaces: outer, inner, chewing
- Don’t forget the tongue — bacteria accumulate there
Manual vs electric brush
Electric brushes (oscillating or sonic) are 20-30% more effective than manual ones. We recommend investing in a quality one.
Floss — the ignored step
Once a day, ideally in the evening. Cleans interdental areas where the brush doesn’t reach.
- 90% of cavities appear in interdental spaces
- Floss removes bacterial plaque that brushing doesn’t touch
- For larger spaces: interdental brushes
Mouthwash
Complementary, not a substitute for brushing. We recommend:
- With fluoride — for strengthening enamel
- Without alcohol — alcohol dries the mucosa
- After brushing, not immediately (let the fluoride from toothpaste work)
Diet and habits
- Limit sugars, especially between meals
- Avoid frequent snacking — each “acid attack” lasts 30 min after eating
- Drink water after juices/coffee
- Don’t use teeth as tools (opening bottles, breaking threads)
Clinic visits
Even with perfect home hygiene, 2 annual check-ups are mandatory:
- Professional scaling
- Incipient cavity check
- Gum and periodontium evaluation
- Personalised advice
Conclusion
Oral health is simple: proper brushing + floss + periodic check-ups. With these 3 habits, you avoid 90% of dental problems.