· Sergei Firsov · Oral care · 2 min read
Why Brush Teeth?
What substances linger on our teeth and why not just let them be.
When we started working with Dr. Kitashov on SmileCraft he said that the most popular question from his patients is «Do I need to brush teeth?». Let’s figure it out!
We think of the substances lingering on our teeth as ‘The Three Layers’. Each next layer causes more trouble than the last.
Layer One
It is the remnants of your last meal: bits and pieces of food. The bacteria called streptococcus mutans in our mouth feed off sugars from it. Immediately, it starts to create a soft biofilm that thickens and hardens within 24 hours. It becomes the next, much more dangerous level, opening the door to tooth and gum disease, bad breath and a quite a bit of money spent to get rid of those.
Layer Two
This one is dental plaque, a soft buildup that forms within 24 hours of eating. Left unchecked, it matures into…
Layer Three
Infamously known as tartar or calculus, a hardened substance that can be particularly stubborn. When The Three Layers are left unattended it leads to all those horror stories you’ve heard about, seen online, or maybe even faced yourself - cavities, gum inflammation and even teeth loss.
What does brushing do?
By brushing you target both Layer One and Layer Two, preventing the buildup from progressing to the more tenacious Layer Three. As a bonus your gums are kept in shape and continue holding the teeth securely in place. Plus the added benefit of fresher breath.
‘But guys,’ - you would rightfully ask - ‘what about those spaces in between the teeth?!‘. Indeed, brushing only covers the front, back and the chewing surfaces of the teeth. We are adressing the space in between the teeth in the article on interdental brushing. It is arguably the most neglected part of oral care.
