To maintain dental health, you must brush your teeth thoroughly following the correct method. Incorrect brushing habits accumulated over time can cause gum injuries and negatively affect overall health. Learn about the proper brushing technique.

Brushing teeth without getting water on the brush

For effective brushing, it is better to apply toothpaste without wetting the toothbrush with water beforehand. When water touches the toothpaste, the abrasive ingredients, which are the core components of the toothpaste, become diluted, reducing their cleaning power. Abrasives help remove cavity-causing bacteria and tartar attached to the teeth, and they slightly abrade the enamel surface to maintain the shine of the teeth. Additionally, wetting the toothpaste with water can dilute the fluoride component, which helps prevent cavities.

◇Rinse multiple times

To prevent surfactants or additives from remaining in your mouth after brushing, you should rinse thoroughly with water. Prolonged and high-dose exposure to one of the surfactants, sodium lauryl sulfate, can cause issues such as loss of appetite, tooth staining, and dry mouth. The types of surfactants approved by the Korea Food and Drug Administration can be removed with just 1 to 2 rinses, but to wash away other additives and foam, it is recommended to rinse about 5 to 6 times.

Use dental floss before brushing

To maintain good oral health, it is necessary to develop the habit of using dental floss before brushing. This is because removing food particles stuck between the teeth before brushing allows the toothpaste ingredients to be evenly distributed in the gaps between the teeth. Especially for people with uneven teeth or gaps that trap food easily, it is important to thoroughly clean between the teeth with floss. Cut the floss into 30-40cm lengths, then hold it taut with your thumbs and index fingers, leaving about 3-4cm of floss. Insert it between the teeth and clean along the gum line and tooth surfaces. Move the floss to remove plaque and food debris, but do not apply excessive force that causes gum pain. Incorrect use can actually cause injuries to the gums.

◇ Disinfecting a toothbrush

It is recommended to disinfect your toothbrush once a week. Dissolve half a spoon of salt or baking soda in water, then soak the toothbrush for 10 to 20 minutes. Soaking it in mouthwash can also provide a disinfecting effect.

At this time, toothbrush cases and toothbrush caps should also be disinfected together. This is because water tends to accumulate inside, increasing the risk of bacterial growth. Additionally, even if the toothbrush is not damaged, it should be replaced every three months.

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Disinfect your toothbrush as well.

Because bacteria can multiply,

It's also easy to disinfect.

Even storing mouthwash has a good disinfectant effect.