Why brushing your teeth is (still) not as simple as it looks

Almost every day at the practice we hear the same sentence: "But doctor, I really do brush three times a day and I use mouthwash too, so how did this cavity appear?"

We completely understand. It is frustrating when you put in the effort but the results at your check-up simply are not there. The truth is actually quite simple: in dentistry it is not about how often you do something, but how you do it. That is why prevention, for us, is not just a passing tip to "brush twice a day". It is a serious, and genuinely interesting, science of the habits that truly protect your teeth for life.

What does good prevention actually mean?

When we think about care, we mostly focus on what we see in the mirror: the front surfaces of the teeth. Real prevention, though, hides in the places the eye cannot see. It comes down to three key things:

• The right brushing technique (so that brushing cleans, rather than damaging your gums).
• The right tools (ones that suit the anatomy of your teeth).
• Cleaning the spaces between the teeth (where a brush cannot reach).

Since each of us is different, some people have crowded teeth, some have sensitive gums, and some wear fixed braces, universal advice does not help. Care has to be tailored to you.

What is iTOP and what does our training look like?

You may have seen the abbreviation iTOP on our profile or website. Behind it stands a top Swiss oral hygiene system that has completely changed the way we teach people to keep their mouths healthy.

What sets iTOP apart is the so-called "Touch to Teach" method. Forget dry theory and drawings on a board. In our practice the training looks like this: we take a brush, place it on your tooth and guide your hand. That way you feel exactly how much pressure is needed, at what angle the brush is held, and what it feels like when a tooth is perfectly clean. Once you feel that kind of brushing, you will never go back to the old way.

Our favourite tools: the Curaprox 5460 ultrasoft and interdental brushes

Our choice is always Curaprox brushes, because their soft filaments clean every surface of the tooth and the gum line perfectly, without any trauma to the tissue.

But a brush does only about 70 percent of the job. The rest hides between the teeth, and that is where interdental brushes come in. The spaces between the teeth are where most problems begin, from hidden cavities to inflamed gums and periodontal disease. That is why, during the training, we measure those spaces precisely and determine the exact size of the interdental brushes you need, because if they are too small they will not clean anything, and if they are too big they can hurt your gums.

We do not just talk theory, we live prevention

Something we are especially proud of is the fact that both of us are licensed iTOP educators. That means we do not only educate patients in our practice, we also give lectures and training to other dentists and students across the country.

We keep improving every day so we can pass these global standards on to you, in the simplest and most pleasant way possible.

Come and walk through the anatomy of your smile with us

We know it sounds a little unusual when a dentist invites you to a "brushing lesson", but we promise this is the most relaxed and most useful visit you can treat yourself to. There are no unpleasant procedures, just a relaxed conversation, hands-on work with brushes, and a personal care plan we build for you.

Invest an hour in education and solve your dental problems for the long run. We are waiting for you, book your appointment for iTOP training.