Daily Care
Pressing harder is the most common brushing mistake I see
Brushing force does not improve plaque removal beyond a modest point, and past that point it starts costing…
· 3 min read
Daily Care
Brushing, flossing and the tools — what actually removes plaque and what only feels like it.
10 articles
Daily Care
What dental plaque actually is, and why it is back by evening
Plaque is a living film that rebuilds itself on a clean tooth within hours, which is why removing it is a habit rather than an achievement.
By Dr. Shruti Goel · · 4 min read
Daily Care
Two minutes of brushing needs a route, not a timer alone
Timing your brushing is useful only if the time is spread evenly, and most people spend it repeatedly on…
· 3 min read
Daily Care
Electric or manual matters less than what the hand is doing
Powered brushes have a modest measurable advantage in the average case, and the reasons for it explain who…
· 3 min read
Daily Care
What each ingredient in a tube of toothpaste is for
A toothpaste is mostly a delivery system, and knowing which component does the work makes label claims much…
· 3 min read
Daily Care
Fluoride, explained plainly and without the argument
What fluoride does at the tooth surface is well understood, and separating that from the debate about water…
· 3 min read
Daily Care
The evidence on dental floss is messier than either side admits
The trials behind flossing are small and poorly controlled, which is a statement about the research rather…
· 3 min read
Daily Care
Where two teeth touch is the hardest surface in the mouth to clean
The anatomy of the contact between neighboring teeth explains why a brush cannot get there and why that…
· 3 min read
Daily Care
What a mouthwash can do, and the jobs it was never going to do
Rinsing has a genuine but narrow role, and most of the disappointment with it comes from expecting it to…
· 3 min read
Daily Care
The toothbrush itself needs looking after, and it rarely gets it
Replacement timing, storage and the state of the bristles all affect how well a brush works, and none of it…
· 3 min read