Preventive Dentistry #3: At-home Dental Care

Doctor's Insight.

Hello and welcome to Doctor's Insight.

Do you feel confident about how you brush your teeth?

Generally speaking, if you can remove more than 80% of dental plaque when brushing your teeth, you can reduce your risk of gum disease.

In order to do so, it's essential not just to use a toothbrush, but to have tools such as interdental brushes and dental floss.

Today, we'll find out ways to achieve the ideal rate of removing more than 80% of dental plaque.

Today's expert is assistant professor Adachi Naoko from Tokyo Medical and Dental University.

Professor Adachi is a dental hygienist and also conducts research on preventive dental care.

Dr. Adachi, thank you so much for joining us.

Thank you for having me.

I know it's important to brush our teeth every day, but how important is it?

It's very important.

If you want to prevent gum disease and tooth decay, you simply have to care for your teeth on a daily basis.

It's also crucial to have dental checkups and get personalized advice for brushing.

So you're saying that simply brushing our teeth is not enough.

Using a toothbrush alone is actually insufficient for maintaining oral health.

That's because you cannot get between the teeth with a toothbrush.

And that's why we recommend using interdental brushes and dental floss.

This is a study that shows how much plaque is removed from between the teeth depending on the tool.

A toothbrush alone removed 61.2%.

When dental floss was added on top of using a toothbrush, it removed 79.0%.

When an interdental brush was used with the toothbrush, it was able to remove 84.6% of plaque.

In order to achieve an 80% removal rate or higher, the toothbrush must be used incombination with other tools.

Now let's learn the basic method for brushing your teeth.

We'll start with the toothbrush.

Dr. Adachi, please show us how to properly use a toothbrush.

Many people brush with too much force in an attempt to remove dental plaque.

Overbrushing, actually makes it difficult to remove the debris and it could also damage your gums.

So why can't we remove plaque with excessive force?

Plaque is a slimy substance and if you use too much pressure, the bristles open up and the tips will not completely touch the area where the plaque is.

That's why it's best to use the tips of bristles to remove plaque instead of scrubbing with too much force.

I see.

What is the right amount of pressure we should use?

For instance, when you place the toothbrush on your teeth, the tips of bristles should not bend.

When the bristles bend like this, there's too much pressure.

Now, the bristles are not bending.

This is about the right amount.

That's not so easy.

Do you have any tips for doing so?

You can control your strength simply by changing the way you hold your toothbrush.

It's important to brush each tooth in small strokes, but if you grip the toothbrush in a fist, not only will you put too much force, but you will have to move your elbow to move in small strokes.

I see.

We recommend what's called a "pen grip" which is like holding a pencil.

That way, you'll be moving your wrist and fingertips, instead of your elbow.

It becomes easier to move in small strokes and to hold the brush at an angle.

Those are really good points.

Am I holding it right?

Yes.

Hold it just like that and place the brush at a 90-degree angle to the front of your teeth and gently move back and forth in short stokes.

You can't place the brush at 90-degrees to the back of your teeth, so it's okay to have it at an angle.

Also, if you have advanced gum disease, you can place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gum pocket and move in short strokes.

I see.

Now, I understand how to properly brush my teeth.

Are there any other tips that you recommend?

You should decide the order you brush.

In places where you regrip the toothbrush, those areas are easy to miss.

So brush those areas multiple times.

For example, when you come this far, you regrip your toothbrush like this.

It's easy to miss this area, so go back and start from the area you just finished.

Now, let's find out how to use an interdental brush.

Dr. Adachi, please show us how an interdental brush is used.

Interdental brushes are suitable for gaps at the root of the teeth, for large gaps between the teeth, and in places where your toothbrush cannot reach.

Gently insert the interdental brush at an angle into the gap between the teeth.

Hold the brush horizontally and clean the area by moving back and forth about five times.

Each gap touches the sides of two teeth so it's important to clean the sides of both teeth.

For example, five times for this side.

Then, clean the other side.

Now, approach from the back and repeat.

Interdental brushes come in various shapes.

Yes.

You should choose according to the size of the gap between your teeth and the condition of your alignment.

For example, the L-shaped type is suitable for cleaning the back teeth.

For more information, consult a dental hygienist during your next checkup.

Next, let's look at how to use dental floss.

Okay, we're moving on to dental floss.

Where should we use it?

Dental floss is used in narrow spaces between your teeth and you gently slide it back and forth.

The standard rolled-up floss like this one is a little difficult to use, but once you learn how, you can use it for spaces between all teeth.

So we break off a strand of floss.

How long should it be?

First, cut off about 40cm of floss.

That's about the length from your wrist to your elbow.

Wrap the ends around your middle fingers two to three times.

Hold about 15cm of the floss tightly, leaving no slack.

Use your thumb and forefinger and hold one to two centimeters of the thread.

Now, you're ready to start flossing.

Gently insert the thread between your teeth.

It can get stuck where your teeth are touching each other.

Try not to use too much force because it can damage your gums.

Move the floss back and forth about two to three times.

Place tension on the floss by leaning on one tooth.

Rub the floss not only along the surface of your teeth, but also one to two millimeters into your gums.

Floss the side of the other tooth, one at a time.

It seems that it'll take time to get the hang of it.

There is also a pick-type dental floss which is easier to handle.

They come in different shapes.

One looks like the letter F while the other looks like the letter Y.

Choose whichever feels easier for you.

Doctor, is it necessary to care for our teeth like this after every meal?

It's recommended to brush your teeth about twice a day after a meal.

Using other cleaning tools, like the interdental brush or a dental floss along with a toothbrush should be done once a day.

This will help reduce the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.

Once a day.

Is it better do it in the morning or at night?

The best timing is before you go to sleep.

You secrete less saliva at night.

The elderly, in particular, are likely to produce less saliva, so it's a good idea to brush your teeth thoroughly before going to bed.

I see.

It's great to know that we have all these items to care for our teeth.

And finally, how would you wrap up today's topic on at-home oral health care?

Daily self-care helps prevent gum disease and tooth decay, leading to improved overall health.

Please ask your dentist or dental hygienist to show you the brushing method that's right for you.

Dr. Adachi, thank you so much for being on our show.

It was a pleasure.

Thank you for having me.