The right brushing techniqueBasic rules for brushing your teeth

We should brush our teeth at least twice a day. You probably already know that. However, there are other recommendations to keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy. For example, a fluoridated toothpaste is always the best choice. Electric toothbrushes are often superior to regular toothbrushes.

Researchers at the University of Giessen have discovered that many people do not brush their teeth as recommended. Her study found that many don't brush their teeth thoroughly enough. The inner surfaces of the teeth in particular are often neglected.

When brushing your teeth, a good system is often more important than the supposedly perfect technique, says our reporter Sebastian Sonntag. This means that we should above all be careful not to forget any teeth or tooth surfaces.

Don't think too much about the technique

Falck Schwendicke also knows that a lot is expected of patients when recommendations for the right technique are made. He is a professor of dentistry, oral and maxillofacial medicine at the Berlin Charité. His advice: clean as many surfaces as possible without scrubbing. One should not think too much about the right technique, says the expert.

If you don't have the necessary instinct for this, you should switch to an electric toothbrush. At least that way you don't do anything wrong.

Not everyone is the perfect cleaner

Professor Falk Schwendicke from the Charité Berlin cannot confirm that electric toothbrushes are generally better. "In the end, the perfect hand brush is just as good as the electric toothbrush." Nevertheless, Falk Schwendicke recommends the electric toothbrush. Because "not everyone can be the perfect hand cleaner".

The electric toothbrush also helps to avoid applying too much pressure when brushing. Some models then warn with a beep. In addition, some electric toothbrushes have an automatic timer that divides cleaning intervals. So you don't have to look at the clock at the same time.

The timer on an electric toothbrush runs for at least two minutes. Some programs are even longer, giving you time to thoroughly clean each quadrant of your jaw.

Bacteria collect on natural bristles

Environmentally conscious people like to use natural toothbrushes. They're not necessarily worse than manual plastic toothbrushes, according to our reporter. "However, natural toothbrushes are not entirely unproblematic from a medical point of view."

Under the microscope you can see that thousands of bacteria settle on natural brushes, explains dentist Falk Schwendicke. According to Falk Schwendicke, the environmentally friendly natural toothbrush is a de facto germ sling.

Toothpaste containing fluoride protects the teeth better

If you want to keep your teeth clean and healthy and your gums healthy, you should also deal with the topic of toothpaste. "Fluoride is the magic word," says our reporter. "Even if mineral toothpaste is really trendy at the moment, you should rather use a classic one with fluoride." Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel and protects against tooth decay.

Brushing your teeth is a must at least in the morning and evening, says Sebastian Sonntag. Some experts also recommend brushing your teeth after a meal. "But then you should wait half an hour so that the acid from the food doesn't wash away the tooth surface."