In my work, I often find that healthy teeth depend less on complicated tools and more on consistent daily habits. Just a few minutes devoted to oral hygiene each day can have a meaningful effect on the health of your teeth and gums, while helping to prevent tooth decay, periodontal disease and bad breath.

I would therefore like to share a few recommendations that I most often give to my patients.

• Choose a suitable toothbrush: Your toothbrush should have soft or medium soft bristles and a smaller head, as this makes it easier to reach less accessible areas. Bristles that are too hard and brushing with too much pressure can gradually damage tooth enamel and cause gum recession.
• Technique matters more than force: Many people think they will clean their teeth better if they scrub more firmly. In fact, correct technique is much more important. Brush your teeth with gentle movements at an angle of approximately 45 degrees towards the gums and systematically clean every surface: the outer, inner and chewing surfaces. I also recommend always following the same brushing order. This makes it far less likely that you will miss a tooth.
• Brush your teeth at least twice a day: Brush in the morning and evening, ideally for around two minutes. Use fluoride toothpaste, as it helps strengthen tooth enamel and makes it more resistant to acids.
• Interdental spaces need special attention: A toothbrush cleans only part of the tooth surfaces. Food particles and bacterial plaque still remain between the teeth, so I recommend using dental floss or interdental brushes every day. We will be happy to advise you at the practice on the interdental brush size that is most suitable for you.

Additional considerations

Many bacteria remain on the surface of the tongue and are often one of the causes of bad breath. Tongue cleaning should therefore be part of your daily oral hygiene routine. The easiest way is to use a dedicated tongue scraper or a toothbrush that allows for tongue cleaning.

If you wear braces, a bridge, implants or other prosthetic restorations, oral hygiene becomes even more important. Alongside a regular toothbrush, I recommend using tools that allow effective cleaning of hard to reach areas around brackets, bridges and implants.

Mouthwash can be a good addition to your daily oral hygiene routine, but it cannot replace thorough brushing and cleaning between the teeth. If you use antiseptic mouthwashes containing chlorhexidine, their use should be limited in duration and recommended by your dentist.

Replace your toothbrush approximately every two to three months, or sooner if you notice worn bristles or after recovering from an infectious illness. A worn toothbrush no longer cleans teeth effectively.

Finally, I would like to emphasise that excellent oral hygiene does not mean perfection, but consistency. A few minutes of care each day and regular preventive check ups can prevent many problems in the long term and help keep your smile healthy for years to come.