Cleaning your teeth twice a day is essential for maintaining a healthy mouth. Our dental experts share the best techniques for tooth cleaning and how to take care of your teeth.
Twice a day, every day, is probably something you’ve heard about brushing your teeth. This is definitely something everyone should be doing to keep their teeth clean and healthy. When bacteria in your mouth mixes with sugar, it creates a sticky substance called plaque. Plaque is one of the main causes tooth decay and gum disease. Good dental hygiene requires removing this plaque to prevent dental problems.
However, taking care of your teeth is so much more than just using a brush and some toothpaste for a couple of minutes each day. There are techniques and certain things you can do which make tooth cleaning much more effective. Dr Jenny Kabir and the team at Fresh Dental Smile Clinic share their advice with you.
Always use a fluoride toothpaste
As well as brushing twice a day, using a fluoride toothpaste is essential. Fluoride is a natural mineral which actively helps protect and repair tooth enamel. Although fluoride can be found in many water supplies, toothpaste brands also add fluoride to their products. For children, be sure to use a small amount of fluoride toothpaste as too much fluoride can be damaging and cause dental fluorosis.
Choosing a toothbrush
When buying a toothbrush, the vast amount of choice can feel overwhelming, Which one do you choose?
Electric toothbrushes are a great option if you have somewhere to charge them. The ones with rotating heads are the most effective and are very good at removing plaque. For somebody who is slightly older, or less able to rigorously clean their teeth, the electric toothbrush is ideal.
Used correctly, manual toothbrushes are also effective in removing plaque and maintaining a healthy mouth. For manual toothbrushes, The British Dental Health Foundation recommend
“soft to medium, multi-tufted, round-ended nylon bristles or ‘filaments’”. However, everybody is different so find one which fits your mouth and you find easy to hold. It’s good practice to replace your toothbrush every three to four months. If you notice your bristles becoming frayed then you can replace it sooner.
Techniques for tooth cleaning
To brush correctly, angle your toothbrush to about 45 degrees when cleaning. Secondly, clean in circular movements over each tooth. Make sure you brush the front and back of each tooth, plus the gaps in between each tooth. It’s also sensible to clean your tongue to remove any bacteria. Don’t brush your teeth too vigorously as you need to take care of the area where your gum meets your tooth. Always brush for about two minutes, but most importantly, make sure you brush all of your teeth, including those hard-to-reach parts as well.
Take time to use dental floss
Tooth cleaning isn’t only about using the right brushing techniques and appropriate toothpaste, flossing is essential for a healthy mouth. Plaque can very easily get stuck in between your teeth and only dental floss is able to effectively reach these hard places. Flossing after lunch or when you clean your teeth is a good idea. Once you get into the routine, follow it through and your oral health will reap the benefits!
Go to the dentist for regular check-ups
The best way to make sure that your teeth are healthy is to go to the dentist for regular check-ups. This is the time when your dentist can look at your teeth and gums to assess their healthiness, looking out for any signs of gum disease, tooth decay and even oral cancer. If you have any questions about how best to look after your teeth, this is an ideal opportunity to ask your dentist.
Fresh Dental Smile Clinic pride themselves on excellent customer service, treatment and aftercare. As well as being a leading clinic for cosmetic dentistry, they offer regular check-ups too. Call 01904 623687 to book your appointment today.
