The argument started! Should you dip the toothpaste in water before brushing your teeth?

Audit expert: Lu Bin

Deputy Chief Physician and Associate Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Air Force Medical University Stomatological Hospital, Shenzhen

If you don't pay attention to tooth decay, bacteria will erode the dental nerves and cause terrible toothaches. In order to avoid tooth decay and maintain a good personal image, brushing teeth and cleaning the mouth has become an essential activity for us every day.

Speaking of brushing habits, let's do a small survey first. Do you dip the toothpaste in water before brushing your teeth?

Source: pixabay

Who wins, the one who likes to get wet or the one who doesn't?

Regarding the question of whether toothpaste should be dipped in water, netizens were once divided into the "dip it in water faction" and the "don't dip it in water faction", and they were arguing fiercely on the Internet. But in fact, it doesn't matter whether it is dipped in water or not.

The two most important ingredients in toothpaste are abrasives and surfactants . The former can increase the friction when brushing and help us deeply clean the plaque on our teeth, while the latter will produce a lot of foam during brushing, and its main function is to emulsify the various dirt removed by the toothbrush. Both ingredients need water to work effectively. The human mouth secretes about 1.5 liters of saliva every day. The oral environment is already moist enough and does not need additional water. Even if it is wet, it will not affect the cleaning effect. It is also easy to accidentally drop toothpaste into the water cup.

Source: pixabay

However, it is worth noting that some toothpastes with special functions, such as some toothpastes with anti-sensitivity effects, have active ingredients such as strontium chloride and potassium nitrate that are easily soluble in water. Dipping your teeth in water before brushing may cause these ingredients to dissolve in the water. Therefore, dry brushing is recommended for this type of toothpaste.

Source: hippopx

We all know that it doesn't matter whether you use ordinary toothpaste with water or not, but is there any saying about the timing of brushing your teeth? Should we brush our teeth before or after meals?

Should you eat first or brush your teeth in the morning?

The answer is that it is best to eat first and then brush your teeth . Many people may find this answer unacceptable. After all, many people always have a bad taste in their mouths when they wake up in the morning. This is because when we sleep, the amount of saliva secretion decreases, and bacteria will multiply in the mouth and produce metabolic waste. If you eat breakfast without brushing your teeth, you will feel a little disgusting.

Brushing your teeth before eating will bring a bigger problem - dental plaque . Dental plaque is a bacterial biofilm that can adhere very tightly to the surface of teeth and between teeth. The various toxins and metabolites they secrete will gradually erode the gums and cause gum inflammation.

Source: pexels

The various food residues that remain in the teeth and are not cleaned in time are the main "food" source of dental plaque. If we brush our teeth first and then eat breakfast, then the food residues will be stuck in the teeth for the whole day for dental plaque to "enjoy". At the same time, various bacteria will also breed in the teeth, and the sulfides they produce will become the source of 80% of our bad breath.

Ordinary mouthwashes can hardly clean food debris between teeth, nor can they remove stubborn dental plaque. Only correct brushing can effectively clean them, so eating first and then brushing your teeth is undoubtedly the most scientific method. Of course, for those who need to rush in the morning, cleaning with dental floss or a water flosser after a meal is a second-rate option.

Source: pixabay

If you are worried that you will eat bacteria into your stomach if you eat before brushing your teeth, you can simply rinse your mouth before breakfast. Although this cannot remove dental plaque, it can remove some bacteria and odor in your mouth, and dental plaque with strong adhesion ability will not enter the digestive system with food.

After understanding the correct time to brush your teeth, let’s talk about a problem that many friends often face, that is, the bristles of the toothbrush. Can the toothbrush with bristles still be used?

Can I still use a toothbrush if it has frizzy bristles?

The answer is no. Toothbrushes in this state are mostly caused by improper brushing. Toothbrushes with frizzy bristles can easily breed a large number of bacteria and are difficult to effectively clean teeth. Continuing to use them is likely to cause oral bacteria to grow and cause oral problems, so be sure to replace them in time.

The effective way to prevent toothbrush bristles from frying is to use the correct brushing technique, such as the Bass method, and use moderate force. "Strong force works wonders" is not feasible for brushing teeth, as it is likely to bruise or scratch the gums, leading to gingivitis. You can use dental floss to clean the gaps between teeth before brushing your teeth. When brushing your teeth, you should use a small-headed toothbrush with moderately soft and hard bristles. In addition, it is best to change your toothbrush every three months to ensure cleaning.

Once there is a problem with teeth, it is not just the teeth themselves that are damaged. The pain caused by teeth, the decline in quality of life and the high cost of treatment are all headaches. In order to avoid this situation, everyone must develop good hygiene habits and reduce oral problems. At the same time, we must also realize that prevention is always better than remedial measures.