Prevention
Prevention
Most of the work of keeping your teeth is done by you, at home, every day. The main article in this section walks through home dental care step by step, from fluoride toothpaste to eating habits. It is not a treatment programme but a foundation your dentist can build on, taking your own teeth and gums into account.
Prevention does not require complicated rituals. A few habits you repeat every day, even when you are tired, are enough.
Before you start
- A toothbrush you find comfortable and a fluoride toothpaste
- Dental floss or interdental brushes, whichever your dentist recommended
- A mirror and good lighting
- A couple of unhurried minutes in the morning and evening
- Willingness to take an honest look at your eating habits
Brush twice a day
Morning and before bed is the general recommendation of the WHO and dental associations. The evening brush is especially important: there is less saliva at night, so teeth are less protected.
Hypothetical example: someone keeps their toothbrush next to their phone charger so they do not forget it in the evening.
Choose a fluoride toothpaste
Fluoride helps enamel resist decay. Which toothpaste suits an adult and which suits a child is best checked with your dentist rather than taken from the advertising on the box.
Hypothetical example: before buying, a shopper reads the ingredients rather than the promises on the front of the box.
Brush for about two minutes
Two minutes is usually enough to cover every surface of the teeth: outer, inner and chewing surfaces. There is no need to press hard; thoroughness matters more.
Hypothetical example: mentally dividing the mouth into four quarters and giving each roughly the same time.
Spit, but do not rinse hard
After brushing, spit the toothpaste out but do not rinse your mouth with lots of water. That way the fluoride stays on the tooth surface longer.
Hypothetical example: instead of a full glass of water, simply spitting out the leftover toothpaste.
Clean between your teeth
A toothbrush does not fully clean the spaces between teeth. Floss or interdental brushes are used for this; the technique and size are best chosen with your dentist or hygienist.
Hypothetical example: the floss sits next to the toothbrush and is used in the evening before brushing.
Watch how often you have sugar
The WHO advises that free sugars should provide less than 10% of daily energy intake, with further benefit below 5%. For teeth, how often sugar enters the mouth also matters: frequent sugary snacks and drinks through the day give decay more chances.
Hypothetical example: dessert is eaten straight after lunch rather than spread out piece by piece over the whole evening.
Give up tobacco
Smoking and other forms of tobacco raise the risk of gum disease and oral cancer. If quitting at once is hard, talk to a doctor about support.
Hypothetical example: a patient tells the dentist at a check-up that they smoke, and the two of them keep an eye on the gums together.
Do not put off check-ups
Your dentist decides individually how often you should come for a preventive check-up. Write their recommendation down so it does not get lost.
Hypothetical example: after the visit, the date of the next check-up goes straight into the phone calendar.
Common mistakes
- Brushing only in the morning and skipping the evening brush
- Rinsing the mouth with lots of water straight after brushing
- Assuming a toothbrush cleans the spaces between teeth on its own
- Sipping a sugary drink or snacking over several hours
- Giving up brushing because your gums bleed instead of seeing a dentist
- Choosing care products by the bold promises on the packaging
Alternatives
- If floss is awkward to use, ask your dentist about interdental brushes
- If braces or dentures make brushing difficult, ask your dentist to show you a suitable technique
- If a child resists brushing, make it a shared ritual and brush your teeth together
- If you crave something sweet between meals, drink water and move sweet foods closer to a main meal
Results checklist
- I brush in the morning and before bed
- My toothpaste contains fluoride
- I brush for about two minutes and do not rinse hard afterwards
- I clean between my teeth with floss or interdental brushes
- I do not spread sugary foods across the whole day
- I know when my dentist recommended my next check-up
What and why
| What | Why | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Brushing with fluoride toothpaste | Removes plaque and helps enamel resist decay | Twice a day |
| Cleaning between teeth | Removes plaque where the toothbrush does not fully reach | As your dentist recommends |
| Spitting out toothpaste without rinsing hard | Keeps fluoride on the teeth longer | After every brush |
| Fewer sugary snacks | Shortens the time sugar sits on your teeth | Every day, as a habit |
| Preventive dental check-up | Helps spot changes before they start causing trouble | Individually, as your dentist recommends |
| Professional cleaning | Removes tartar that cannot be removed at home | As your dentist recommends |
Related sections
- Topics
A map of topics: teeth and enamel, gums, children's teeth and special situations, plus the article catalogue.
- Ask your dentist
Questions worth asking your dentist at a check-up, before treatment and afterwards.
- Glossary
Words from the dental surgery and paperwork: enamel, pulp, plaque, filling, treatment plan.
Sources
- WHO — Global Oral Health Status Report (2022)
- WHO — Guideline on sugars intake for adults and children
- FDI World Dental Federation — patient information
Information is current as of the date prepared. Oral-care recommendations, the scope of dental care covered by Russia's compulsory medical insurance (OMS) and the rules for medical paperwork may change. Check the current documents and ask your dental clinic or insurer for details; arrangements differ in other countries.