Tips

• Brush thoroughly twice a day
• Floss at least once a day
• Use a fluoride toothpaste

Good oral hygiene results in a mouth that looks and smells healthy. This means:

• Teeth are clean and free from plaque
• Gums are pink and do not hurt or bleed
• No Halitosis (bad breath)

Brushing your teeth at least twice a day is one of the foundational practices necessary to navigate to optimal oral health it prevents:

• Plaque build-up – a film of bacteria that coats your teeth. One can feel it when they rub their tongue against their teeth.
• Gum disease – Gingivitis ( the milder form of gum disease, makes gums red, swollen and bleed) – Periodontitis ( a more serious gum infection that damages the soft tissue and destroys the bone that supports your teeth which may lead to tooth loss)
• Halitosis (Bad breath)
• Tooth decay
• Stains on teeth – caused by tea, coffee, wine, smoking, other foods and certain medications

You should spend at least 2 minutes brushing. Make sure that the inside, outside and upper surface of each tooth are cleaned.

You also need to point your toothbrush towards the gumline, because this is where plaque builds up. Don’t brush too harshly, as you may cause damage and abrade your gums but do apply a constant amount of pressure and make slow circular motions. It is a misconception that electric toothbrush are better than manual ones. Both can be largely ineffective if teeth aren’t cleaned correctly anyway. It is very important that you replace your toothbrush or brushing head every 3 months.

The best choice of toothbrush is one with a small head and soft brittles. This enables you to get right to the back of the mouth, while also being gentle on the gums.

Flossing does about 40% of the work required to remove plaque from the teeth. Plaque generates acid which can cause cavities, irritate the gums and lead to gum disease. Each tooth has five surfaces if you don’t floss you are leaving atleast two of the surfaces unclean. Flossing is an easy and effective way to remove plaque from the places that your toothbrush can’t reach. It prevents interproximal caries (holes in-between teeth) and gum disease.

It is important to use fluoride containing toothpaste because fluoride helps to prevent cavities, strengthen weak spots and exposed roots and to help prevent the early stages of tooth decay. One should brush at least twice a day with a pea size amount of fluoridated toothpaste for atleast two minutes each day.

Tooth decay happens when plaque comes into contact with sugar in the mouth causing acid to attack the teeth. The foods you choose and how often you eat them can affect your general health and the health of your teeth and gums.

A regular dental check up is important to help keep your teeth and gums healthy. You should have a regular visit atleast every 6 months or as recommended by your dental professional.