September is Oral Health Month, a vital reminder that our mouths serve as the primary gateway to total body wellness.
Medical research links gum disease to more than 50 systemic conditions, including heart disease and diabetes, proving that daily oral care protects far more than just your smile.
Yet, most daily routines fall dangerously short. With 40% of people using incorrect brushing techniques and only a third cleaning between their teeth daily, closing these gaps requires a personalised, four-step approach tailored to every stage of life.
A survey conducted by Ivodent and Sunstar GUM among South African dental professionals highlights significant gaps in everyday routines: roughly only one-third of South Africans clean between their teeth every day, and an estimated 40% rely on incorrect brushing techniques.
Meanwhile, a 2022 WHO Global Oral Health Status Report revealed that 3.5 billion individuals worldwide suffer from oral diseases, with around two billion people grappling with cavities in permanent teeth globally, and 514 million children dealing with cavities in their primary teeth.
One size does not fit all
A major oversight in home dental hygiene is assuming every family member requires the exact same approach.
While the household bathroom is shared, individual oral health needs vary dramatically across different stages of life and health requirements.
A young child mastering basic dexterity needs a very different approach than a teenager navigating life with braces, an adult actively managing early gum disease, or a senior managing age-related dental changes.
“Oral care is one of those habits that naturally becomes part of family life,” says Dirna Grobbelaar, Ivohealth oral hygiene advisor and GUM spokesperson.
“But while consistency is important, that doesn't mean everyone in the family should follow exactly the same routine. What works best will depend on each person's individual needs.”
Choosing the right products requires looking beyond standard shelf displays and evaluating individual circumstances.
“Age is one consideration but it is certainly not the only one,” says Grobbelaar.
“Someone with braces will face different cleaning challenges to someone with implants, while another family member may need more support cleaning between their teeth or caring for their gums.”
Looking beyond the toothbrush
While brushing is usually the first habit we learn, a toothbrush alone cannot reach every surface of the mouth. A truly thorough routine targets the full oral ecosystem.
“Looking after your mouth shouldn't be seen in isolation from looking after the rest of your body,” says Grobbelaar.
“Research has found associations between gum disease and conditions including cardiovascular disease and diabetes, while emerging research is also exploring links between oral health and depression.
“It gives us another reason to pay attention to our gums and the areas that brushing alone may not adequately clean.”
For Oral Health Month, GUM emphasises a complete four-step care routine:
- Tongue cleaning.
- Cleaning between teeth with an appropriate interdental tool.
- Brushing with fluoride toothpaste.
- Rinsing with an appropriate mouthwash.
“Brushing tends to get most of our attention, which means other parts of oral care can easily be overlooked,” says Grobbelaar.
“Looking at the complete routine can help you spot the gaps and make sure you're giving the rest of your mouth the attention it needs.”
Practical tips for proper tooth brushing
To address the high percentage of incorrect techniques, adopt these evidence-based brushing habits:
- Use the 45-degree angle: Angle your brush bristles at 45 degrees toward the gumline. Clean using gentle, small circular motions rather than harsh horizontal scrubbing, which can damage enamel and recede gums.
- Time your sessions: Brush for a full two minutes, twice a day. Divide your mouth into four quadrants and spend 30 seconds on each section.
- Choose soft bristles: Opt for a soft or ultra-soft bristled manual or electric toothbrush. Hard bristles do not clean better and can irritate gum tissue.
- Don't forget the inside surfaces: Ensure you tilt the brush vertically to clean the inside surfaces of your front top and bottom teeth using short upward/downward strokes.
- Spit, don't rinse immediately: After brushing, spit out excess toothpaste but avoid rinsing your mouth with water right away. This allows the protective fluoride in your toothpaste time to strengthen your enamel.
Routines should adapt whenever life changes, such as getting braces, receiving dental implants, or noticing sensitive gums.
alyssia.birjalal@nationalmg.co.za