Why is Oral Hygiene Important?
Good oral hygiene helps to prevent a range of dental problems such as tooth decay, gum disease and bad breath. While brushing your teeth every morning and night is a great start, proper effective oral hygiene requires a bit more work and commitment.
Correct brushing techniques
It is important to brush your teeth twice a day, for 2 minutes long. Any less than this possibly means you are not cleaning your teeth as effectively as you should be. Brush your teeth in a circular motion, whilst covering all the surfaces of the tooth. Don’t forget to brush the inside and outside surfaces! Angle the brush 45 degrees into the gum when cleaning around the gumline. This helps to get the bristles under the gum a little to get rid of plaque.
Ensure that you use a SOFT bristle brush. Anything harder may damage your gums and may cause recession (and hence sensitivity). A manual or electric toothbrush is a personal preference. Both are equally effective in cleaning however the electric brush does the circular movement which makes it easier for some.
What toothpaste should I use?
It’s important that you choose a toothpaste that is fluoridated. Fluoride helps to harden enamel and reduces the risk of decay. Children under 6 should be using a low-fluoride version and child older can use a pea-sized amount of adult toothpaste.
What about flossing?
Flossing, or cleaning between your teeth is equally as important as brushing twice a day. If you do not floss, you will miss about 30% of the tooth’s surfaces. These areas are a potential hole waiting to happen. You’ll notice as well that your gums may bleed more easily if you haven’t flossed for a while – this is a sign of gum disease. We recommend running the floss around your middle fingers and using your index finger &/or thumb to run the floss down between your teeth in a slow, gentle, sawing motion. If you have large gaps between your teeth, interdental brushes like the Piksters we sell are much easier to use than floss.
Is there anything else I should know?
Having a good diet not only benefits your oral health, but also your general health as well. It is important that you try to eliminate the amount of sugary food and fizzy drinks in your diet. Sugar is converted to acid by the bacteria in your mouth which then dissolves the minerals in your tooth enamel, causing decay/holes. Acidic foods and drinks can also cause tooth erosion which causes sensitivity, discolouration and cracks over time. Ideally, you should be not only be reducing the amount but the frequency of intake as well (ie. reduce the number of snacks you have).
It is a good idea to rinse your mouth with water or a mouth rinse after every meal. Cleaning your tongue may help to reduce the amount of bacteria causing bad breath. Try not to use your teeth to open bottles or to crack nuts as they might crack, chip or break! Remember to visit your dentist every 6 months for a check and clean to maintain your healthy teeth!
