The right toothbrush makes a difference, say dentists. A good toothbrush has lots of soft bristles, preferably slightly rounded. Bristles with sharp ends can injure the gums. The wrong toothbrush will not only not clean your teeth properly, but can also damage the enamel that protects the tooth.

 

Toothbrushes should also not look too worn. A toothbrush should last an average of three months without the bristles sticking out in all directions. Many people believe that they only brush their teeth properly if they scrub vigorously. However, gentle brushing can achieve just as much cleaning.

 

Food residues that are not completely removed leave behind microscopic plaque bacteria that feed on them and produce acid. This acid causes tooth decay and periodontal disease. Plaque is colourless, but you can chew tablets that colour plaque-infested areas so that you can see which areas need to be cleaned more thoroughly.

 

The gums also reveal whether you are brushing your teeth properly. If the gums often bleed when brushing your teeth or are red, sore and swollen, the gums may have become inflamed. Gum inflammation is caused by plaque that has not been thoroughly removed.

If you see a small dent in the tooth at the bottom of the gum line, this can also be a sign of poor brushing. This is where the enamel is thinnest and where it is most likely to wear away due to hard and sharp bristles or excessive scrubbing.