Oral hygiene is essential to avoid a number of ENT diseases and to keep teeth in good condition for as long as possible. The easiest way to do this is to brush your teeth efficiently  on a daily basis.

Toothbrushes

Before you even go through the brushing of the teeth itself, it is useful to be interested in the material needed to brush your teeth effectively.

Two main options exist with regard to the central element: the toothbrush. It can be:

• Of a manual toothbrush.
• Of an electric toothbrush.

• In supermarkets.
• In drugstores.
• On the Internet.

Electric toothbrushes

There are a wide variety of electric toothbrushes. These are much more expensive than manual toothbrushes when they are of good quality. It is indeed possible to buy electric toothbrushes at low prices but these are often mediocre.

The main criteria take into account to make the right choice:

• The power supply that can be:
  • Rechargeable (on a base) and more environmentally friendly;
  • (Often disposable).
• The shape of the brushing part: prefer the round heads, the most common;
• The technology that can be:
  • Rotatory (all are);
  • Oscillating and vibratory (to facilitate cleaning of hard-to-reach areas);
  • Sonic (ideal for subgingival dental plaque);
  • (The most expensive).
• The price and must take into account:
  • The strength of the product;
  • The price of spare brushes;
  •  Of the power system (batteries).

Application of toothpaste

Brushing your teeth should be a regular action, performed after each meal. If only one brushing is to be carried out, it will preferably be done in the evening.

Toothpaste

• Begin by passing the toothbrush under a net of water to wet it.
• Apply a layer of toothpaste to the hair.

Sodium bicarbonate

• Freshen breath;
• Whiten teeth.

Simply put bicarbonate net on the toothpaste and brush your teeth normally.

Order of brushing teeth

Brushing external faces

• Incisors;
• Canines;
• Premolars;
• Molar ratio.

Brushing of internal faces

Order of brushing teeth Brush the inner face of the teeth (the part not visible, facing towards the mouth) in the same order as for the external face, upper teeth first and then lower teeth.

Top brushing

Brush the chewing surface, ie the upper surface of the premolars and molars. Make a small back and forth movement from the deepest teeth to the center teeth.

Brushing the tongue

Finish by brushing your tongue. Some toothbrushes have a special surface for brushing the tongue and removing dead cells. 4

Brushing time

Order of brushing teeth To brush teeth effectively brushing should last at least 2 min. ideally it will last 3 min. Some electric toothbrushes have an integrated timer. For others, time the brushing time.

Rinsing

After brushing, take a sip of water and gargle for a few seconds. Recover and repeat the operation.

To continue to have effective dental brushing, it will be necessary to change the toothbrush approximately every two months  or as soon as the hairs begin to take a fan shape. For rechargeable electric toothbrushes only the head is to be changed.

The dental floss is a generally nylon thread that completes the oral cleaning performed by the toothbrush.

If you can use Using dental floss, you will be able to perfect the brushing by eliminating a large part of the bacteria and the food debris housed in the interdental spaces and thus to avoid the development of the dental plaque and of the tartar.

It is also possible to use dental floss so as to dislodge any food debris trapped in the inter-dental spaces of small sizes.

For larger interdental spaces, you can buy a brush that will be more suitable.

Finally, mouth washes can also be a complement to dental hygiene but are not to be used every day and anyway no more than two consecutive weeks at risk of disrupting the flora of your mouth.

Use them in rinsing or gargling, pure or diluted with water (read the leaflet carefully).

In general, make sure to go and consult your dentist once a year to make an assessment and check the condition of your teething.

Waxed yarn and unwaxed yarn

There are two main categories of dental floss: waxed dental floss and one that is not.
Their characteristics are:

• To be simpler to pass for the waxed thread;
• the non-waxed.

The single-stranded or multi-stranded yarn

Almost all brands offer perfumed dental wires (usually mint), but single-strand (or monofilament) dental wires can also be distinguished from multifilament (multifilament) yarns.

• The single-stranded thread is more expensive, but paradoxically it is more resistant and slips more easily than the multi strand in small interdental spaces.
• The multi-stranded yarn is cheap, but thicker it tends to fray and break when the interdental space is tightened.

Interdental brushes

The interdental brushes also make it possible to complete the brushing action, but intervening in the interdental spaces larger than those in which the dental floss is threaded.

The right choice of dental floss

Several criteria should be taken into account when selecting the most suitable dental floss:

• Teething: if the teeth are particularly tight, it is preferable to orient themselves towards a mono-stranded wax for example;
• Personal sensitivity;
• The price (even if the floss remains a rather cheap product).

A good length of wire

Begin by washing your hands since these will be in contact with the dental floss that will go into your mouth.

To properly use dental floss, it is necessary to take a suitable length of wire: a length of 50 cm is sufficient (the boxes contain about 50 m of wire).

It is important to , because, like the teeth, it is likely to be damaged over time if you do not care for it. Dental plaque and tartar can build up and cause gum problems and bad breath.

Dental devices

Two types of dentures

There are two distinct types of dentures:

• Dentures, which replace the entire teething (maxillary both upper and lower); Dentures, which replace the entire teething (maxillary both upper and lower);
• Dentures with hooks, which replace only a part of the teeth.

Although these dental prostheses are used under various circumstances, their maintenance is the same.

Denture roles

The denture has many uses for people who no longer have all their teeth:

• It has a practical role since it allows chewing in a normal way.
• IIt has an aesthetic role in that:
  • It corrects facial features that sag in the absence of teething.
  • It gives a normal smile, with the psychological repercussions that it may have.
• It favors phonation, especially dental (the sounds "de" and "te") for which the tongue is supported on the teeth.
• It avoids odontological diseases due to the absence of dentition.

For more information, please refer to the Dentures page of our specialist guide: Implant and dental prosthesis.

Cleaning tablets

The denture should only be cleaned by a mechanical brushing action: its cleaning is supplemented by a chemical action carried out by special effervescent tablets.

These will:

• Removes the remaining particles;
• Remove germs (and therefore avoid inflammation and bad breath);
• Avoid infections;
• To avoid the discoloration of the dentures.

Their use is extremely simple and lasts 15 min. They are to be used about once or twice a week.

Removing dentures at bedtime

Ideally, your dentures should be cleaned after each meal. Otherwise, the evening will be favored to take the time to clean it. Clean the appliance daily, as well as brushing teeth.

By removing your dentures at night, you will let your gums and mucous membranes breathe and revascularize overnight. Plan to leave your device aside for about 5 hours (8 ideally) each day.

Rinse dentures

First remove:

• The prosthesis from the top by placing the thumb behind the incisors and pushing upwards and forward;
• The prosthesis at the bottom, with slight forward traction, with slight back and forth movements.

Run the denture under running water (preferably warm).

Brush the dentures

Then brushing the denture will have to be done.

For this you can use:

• A special denture brush;
• A classic toothbrush, but privilege those with hard hair (unlike those used for teeth that must be soft or medium).

Moisten the brush then put toothpaste or soap on it.

Brush the prosthesis thoroughly to remove all food residues from the interstices. Brushing should be done on both the outer (visible) and the inside surfaces.

Brush gently so that the prosthesis is not damaged.

If you still have natural teeth, brush them at that time (using normal toothpaste), as well as your tongue.

Cleaning and natural cleansing tablets

Cleaning your dentures cleaning by tablet

Just soak your dentures for about fifteen minutes in a glass of warm water in which you put a tablet.

All you have to do is flush your appliance with plenty of water.

The use of tablets should be limited to one to two times a week.

Naturel Cleaning

Squeeze 2 lemons and dip your denture into the juice. The latter must be totally immersed.

This natural technique is a bit longer as long as the device has to remain in the juice overnight so that the cleaning is impeccable.

Store your dentures

If you remove it, you can put your dentures:

• In a glass of water;
• On a clean handkerchief (the bacteria would tend to have less proliferation on the devices when they are dry);
• In a special denture box clean.

Dental caries is a major public health problem in industrialized countries. It affects 60-90% of school-age children and the vast majority of adults.

The evolution of caries

Caries is an infection of the tooth that is characterized by the appearance of a cavity on the surface of the enamel. As the decay progresses, this cavity will make its way towards the inside of the tooth until it reaches the nerve. The first signs of decay may include pain, sugar, cold or heat.

Local complications of caries

When the decay is not treated at the beginning, a tooth rage, tooth abscess or cysts may appear.

Treatment of infection

To treat decay, the tooth is asleep (unless the decay is very superficial), and the decayed part is removed. After this first step, the tooth has a cavity which must be disinfected in order to be able to reconstitute it from microbes, thus avoiding any risk of recurrence of the decay. If the decay has reached the nerve, the tooth must necessarily be devitalized before being reconstituted.

Our advice

• The only way to avoid cavities is to brush your teeth thoroughly from an early age (even when there are only teeth in your mouth).
• For young children from the age of six, think of the sealing of the furrows of the first definitive molars: it is an excellent means of preventing the appearance of cavities on these teeth.
• An already treated tooth is not safe from new caries. It is therefore necessary to ensure regular monitoring, especially as certain caries can develop without pain.

I never have a toothache, should I go to the dentist?

Yes! If only to keep this good dental condition as long as possible.

A lot of things happen in our mouths without realizing it.

Throughout life, the mouth changes: the teeth of milk grow and then disappear; The final teeth and the teeth of wisdom come in their turn, and all this lasts for nearly fifteen years.

A first question to ask: do I have enough room in my jaw so that my teeth are well aligned? For if it is easy to rectify a dental misplaced at its beginning, it is then more delicate.

The life of the teeth

The teeth are not made of an inert material. They evolve throughout life and the oral whole is in relation with the whole organism.

Every day we use our mouth to eat. We chew very different foods. Permanently changes occur in our mouth and we do not pay attention to these variations that alter the overall ecology of our mouth. Microscopic food debris, mixed with saliva, settles on teeth and gums.

Microbes, very numerous in mouth, discreetly attack the enamel of the teeth. They can also cling to the roots of teeth and cause inflammation of the gums. These attacks are likely to multiply. A gingival inflammation takes place or small caries appear, so minimal that one is not aware of it.
Only the dentist has the opportunity to detect these attacks.

Going to consult before feeling discomfort or pain is the best way to prevent future discomfort.

The removal of plaque helps prevent caries and periodontal problems. Simple rules ensure good oral hygiene.

• Ideally two brushings per day are recommended. In practice, two meticulous daily brushings allow to obtain a satisfactory hygiene, if the gum is in good health. In case of gum disease, three daily brushing is essential. Do not eat or drink (other than water) after evening brushing.
• The brush used must be soft bristles, with a small head for access to all corners. . Too hard hair can wear your enamel importantly over the long term. Better brushing gently and a little longer than an aggressive brushing that could damage your enamel and gums.
• The hand brush provides excellent results when used properly. Some electric brushes can achieve the same results with a little more ease.
• Always brush your teeth by moving the gum towards the tooth. At the beginning of the movement, the bristles of the brush must be placed on the gum. Be careful to brush all the faces of the teeth.
• Interdental brushes and dental floss are an integral part of brushing. Indeed, the toothbrush does not clean between the teeth. Much of the dental problems (caries, loosening ...) starts between the teeth since the bacteria stagnate there. If the gingiva is healthy, the passage of brushes should be done once a day, ideally in the evening. In case of gum disease, it may be necessary to do it 2 to 3 times a day. If the interdental spaces are too narrow, the brushes should be replaced with dental floss.
• Also remember to brush your tongue. There are special instruments for this, but the toothbrush is sufficient. Indeed the external face of the tongue is covered with bacteria which can contribute, in particular, to bad breath.
• The sprays can be used in addition to the brush. They can be useful for removing food debris and gum massage. However, their action is insufficient to remove the bacteria from the plaque, and they do not in any way replace the toothbrush or the interdental brushes.
• Toothpaste must be fluoridated to protect against cavities. At each age corresponds a fluorine dosage. In some cases, specific toothpaste may be advised.
• • Antiseptic mouthwashes should not be used on a daily basis outside the cures prescribed by the dentist.
• Some sweet and sour foods (like sodas or lemon) strongly damage teeth. Consume them in moderation.

Nos conseils

• After lunch, if you do not brush your teeth, chew gums without sugar and fluoride.
• Sharing your toothbrush is not hygienic. If you do, you may transmit or receive germs.
• Attention, devitalized or crowned teeth should be cleaned as completely as other teeth because they are not safe from recurrence of decay.

Your food choices directly affect your dental health. Here are some simple rules of food hygiene to preserve the health of your teeth.

Food at Risk

Sugar or acid foods can cause serious tooth damage. In addition, foods that are both acidic and sweet, like sodas, are particularly cariogenic. Among sweet foods, those that stick to teeth like caramels are the worst because the sugar stays on the teeth for many hours.

Consumption pattern and carious risk

Food hygiene for tooth health when eating cariogenic foods, the length of time they stay in contact with the teeth plays an important role in the severity of the injury.
If you consume small quantities of them several times during the day, the teeth will be in almost permanent contact with cariogenic foods. To prevent large injuries from developing rapidly, it is better to consume these foods once a day rather than nibble all day.
Take the time to chew well: mastication stimulates salivary secretion, a true ally against caries.
Finish your meal with a glass of water.

Particularity of young children

Children who fall asleep by suckling their mother's breast or with a bottle of milk, fruit juice, syrup or soda can have very impressive caries of milk teeth (bottle syndrome). In the end, these cavities eventually destroy the totality of the teeth and the child is actually handicapped in terms of food and aesthetics.

Our advice

• Particularly watch your children's food. Contrary to popular belief, tooth decay can have adverse effects on the final teething.
• After eating cariogenic foods, everyone should rinse their mouths, large and small, drinking water, and preferably brushing their teeth.
• Do not brush your teeth immediately after consuming acidic foods (wait about an hour). Indeed the acidity weakened the enamel and it is necessary to allow the saliva the time to remineralize before proceeding with the brushing.