That’s really strange! Why do I brush my teeth every day and still have cavities

In daily life, we can always hear people complain that even after brushing their teeth every day, small black spots still appear on their teeth. Upon examination, they show that they are broken and have developed cavities again.

So it is inevitable that some people may wonder: Does brushing teeth not work at all?

Actually, it’s not!

There are many reasons that can cause dental caries, and brushing teeth alone is not enough.

As the saying goes, ‘To do a good job, one must first sharpen one’s tools.’ To maintain oral hygiene, one must first learn how to choose toothbrushes and toothpaste, and understand and master the correct brushing methods.

Toothbrush selection

Brush bristles

When choosing a toothbrush, the first thing to consider is the bristles. Brushes that are too hard may damage the gums, while bristles that are too soft may also cause poor cleaning.

Therefore, when choosing a toothbrush, one should choose bristles that are moderately soft and hard.

In addition, the bristles should not be too dense and should be easy to clean.

head

The brush head of a toothbrush should not be too large. It is necessary to choose a toothbrush with a small brush head in order to flexibly clean all surfaces of the posterior teeth in the oral cavity.

Brush handle

The toothbrush handle should be selected for easy grip, preferably with anti slip rubber.

Manual vs Electric

Compared to regular manual toothbrushes, electric toothbrushes have higher cleaning efficiency and even force, and can take more care of the surface and gaps between teeth.

But if you want to remove dental plaque, you also need to brush it to the corresponding position and for enough time like a manual toothbrush.

That is to say, both manual toothbrushes and electric toothbrushes are good helpers for cleaning teeth. Please choose according to your personal habits.

Tip:

The average lifespan of each toothbrush is 3 months. Once the toothbrush experiences wear, bristle eversion, or incomplete bristles, it should be replaced immediately.

Toothpaste selection

Scientific selection of toothpaste is the first step in protecting dental health, and fluoride toothpaste is the preferred choice.

Fluoride is an essential trace element for human health. Consuming an appropriate amount of fluoride can reduce the solubility of teeth, promote tooth remineralization, inhibit oral microbial growth, and prevent the occurrence of dental caries.

When using fluoride toothpaste, brush your teeth for at least 2 minutes each time in the morning and evening.

In addition, the Epidemiological Survey of Adult Dentin Sensitivity and Tooth Abrasion in China shows that the average sensitivity of teeth per person has reached 1.5. If there is tooth sensitivity, it is recommended to choose anti sensitivity toothpaste and use it continuously for at least 4 weeks and 8 weeks.

Correct brushing method

The horizontal vibration brushing method is an effective brushing technique for removing plaque from the gingival sulcus and tooth surface.

Brushing teeth should be comprehensive, covering every surface of all teeth, including the outer, inner, occlusal, and distal ends of the last tooth.

When brushing teeth, choose to do it in order to avoid missing teeth, and be sure to clean every tooth thoroughly.

Brush your teeth at least twice a day, especially at night.

Dentist’s reminder:

Brushing teeth cannot replace cleaning teeth. Regular check ups and cleaning can help detect other oral problems in a timely manner.