Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste twice a day for at
least two minutes to help keep your teeth and mouth healthy.
Plaque is a film of bacteria that coats your teeth if you don't
brush them properly. It contributes to gum disease, tooth decay and
cavities.
Toothbrushing stops plaque building up. It isn't just about
moving some toothpaste around your mouth, though. You need to
concentrate on the nooks and crannies to make sure you remove as
much plaque and leftover bits of food as possible.
When should I brush my teeth?
Brush your teeth for at least two minutes in the morning before
breakfast and last thing at night before you go to bed.
Never brush your teeth straight after a meal as it can damage
your teeth, especially if you've had fruit, fizzy drinks, wine or
any other food that contains acid.
This is because tooth enamel is softened by the acid and can be
worn away by brushing. Instead, wait an hour after a meal before
brushing your teeth to give your saliva chance to neutralise the
acid.
Should I use an electric or manual
toothbrush?
It doesn't matter whether you use an electric or manual
toothbrush. They're both equally good as long as you brush with
them properly. However, some people find it easier to clean their
teeth thoroughly with an electric toothbrush.
What should I look for in a toothbrush?
For most adults, a toothbrush with a small head and a compact,
angled arrangement of long and short, round-end bristles is fine.
Medium or soft bristles are best for most people. Use an electric
brush with an oscillating or rotating head. If in doubt, ask your
dentist.
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What type of toothpaste should I use?
The cleaning agents and particles in toothpaste help to remove
plaque from your teeth, keeping them clean and healthy.
Most toothpastes also contain fluoride,
which helps to prevent and control cavities. It’s important to use
a toothpaste with the right concentration of fluoride. Check the
packaging to find out how much fluoride each brand contains.
- Children aged up to three: use a smear of toothpaste containing
no less than 1,000ppm (parts per million) fluoride.
- Children aged three to six: use a pea-sized amount of
toothpaste containing 1,350-1,500ppm fluoride.
- Adults: use a toothpaste that contains at least 1,450ppm
fluoride.
It's fine for babies and children to use the family toothpaste
rather than a special children's toothpaste, provided it contains
the right concentration of fluoride.
How to brush your teeth
The British Dental Health Foundation gives the following advice
on how to brush your teeth:
- Place the head of your toothbrush against your teeth, then tilt
the bristle tips to a 45 degree angle against the gum line. Move
the brush in small circular movements, several times, on all the
surfaces of every tooth.
- Brush the outer surfaces of each tooth, upper and lower,
keeping the bristles angled against the gum line.
- Use the same method on the inside surfaces of all your
teeth.
- Brush the chewing surfaces of the teeth.
To clean the inside surfaces of the
front teeth, tilt the brush vertically and make several small
circular strokes with the toe (the front part) of the brush.- Brushing your tongue will freshen your breath and clean your
mouth by removing bacteria.
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How to floss
Flossing isn't just for dislodging food wedged between your
teeth. Regular flossing may also reduce gum disease and bad breath
by removing plaque that forms along the gum line.
- Take 12 to 18 inches (30 to 45cm) of floss and grasp it so that
you have a couple of inches of floss taut between your hands.
- Slip the floss between the teeth and into the area between your
teeth and gums, as far as it will go.
- Floss with 8 to 10 strokes, up and down between each tooth, to
dislodge food and plaque.
- Floss at least once a day. The most important time to floss is
before going to bed.
- You can floss before or after brushing.
You can use interdental brushes instead of flossing, especially
if your teeth are very close together and you find it difficult to
manoeuvre dental floss through the gap.
Avoid using toothpicks to remove trapped food from between your
teeth, as you could cause your gums to bleed, which can lead to an
infection.
Should I use mouthwash?
Yes, using a mouthwash after brushing your teeth can help get
rid of any last bits of bacteria or leftover food that you might
have missed with your toothbrush.
Many mouthwashes contain alcohol, so they're not suitable for
children, as they could swallow them accidentally. If you use a
mouthwash with alcohol, you may get a very dry mouth and dry,
cracked lips due to the drying effect of the alcohol. You can avoid
this by using an alcohol-free version.
Are plaque-disclosing tablets helpful?
Plaque-disclosing tablets work by dyeing plaque either blue or
red and can be very useful at showing you which areas of your teeth
you're not cleaning properly.
As the staining can last for some hours, it’s best to use these
tablets at bedtime or when you're not expecting visitors.
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Please note: the information on this page has
been taken from NHS
Choices website where you can find more information related to
Dental Health.