Brushing twice daily with top-quality toothpaste isn't always enough for ideal oral health. True dental hygiene depends not just on frequency, but also on proper technique, effective tools, and a clear understanding of why each step matters.
On the April 10 episode of Level Up with Anona, dentist Dr. Maadri Shah joined host Anona Agarwal to uncover commonly missed truths about brushing, reports Hindustan Times.
When to brush: Timing matters
"Many people are diligent about brushing twice a day, once in the morning and once at night," Dr. Maadri shared. “But what often happens is that they finish dinner around 9 or 9:30 p.m., then brush their teeth at 10 p.m. and head to bed. In that case, someone not brushing at night might actually be doing their teeth a bigger favour.”
Why? Because brushing too soon after eating can do more harm than good. "When you brush within half an hour or even an hour of eating, your mouth is still acidic and full of bacteria. You're essentially brushing the acid into your enamel," she explained.
What kind of toothbrush to use
"This is about maintaining your enamel for years, you're not scrubbing utensils," Dr. Maadri stressed. "Always opt for a soft-bristled brush, never a hard one." She also pointed out a common mistake people make right at the start, "Your toothbrush should be slightly wet before you begin. Brushing with a dry brush can be abrasive to your teeth."
What's the right technique
"A lot of people think brushing is just about cleaning the teeth," she noted. "But in reality, when you wake up, the goal is to remove the plaque buildup that's formed overnight and that plaque isn't just on your teeth. It's on your tongue, cheeks, the inside of your lips, your palate, it's everywhere."
Her advice? Be thorough. "Your brush should be positioned at the junction where your gums meet your teeth. That's where most plaque settles. Even better, brush your teeth, gums, inner cheeks, tongue, and palate. That's what proper brushing truly looks like."
Bd-pratidin English/ Afia
