Caring for your teeth
Brushing
Everyone should brush their teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste - last thing at night before bed and one other occasion
Use any toothpaste that contains fluoride. For children aged up to 3 years, it is recommended that you use a smear of paste containing no less than 1000 ppm fluoride. For children aged 3 – 6 years use a pea-sized amount. Children should be supervised or helped by an adult until at least 7 years old. Adults should brush with toothpaste containing 1350 ppm fluoride or above.
It is also important that you brush your teeth in the right way. The following advice may help:
- Place the head of your toothbrush against your teeth, then tilt the bristle tips to a 45-degree angle against the gumline. 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 gumline.
- Use the same method on the inside surfaces of all your teeth.
- Brush the biting 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 front part of the brush.
- Brushing your tongue will help freshen your breath and will clean your mouth by removing bacteria.
It is important to replace your toothbrush on a regular basis because they can wear out and become less effective in removing plaque. Most toothbrushes need to be replaced every two to three months.
If you are considering buying an electric toothbrush, studies have shown that the most effective type of electric toothbrush is one in which the head has a rotating oscillation action - meaning the head spins one way and then the other. As with manual toothbrushes, you will need to replace the head of your electric toothbrush once every two to three months.
Flossing
Flossing is an important part of oral hygiene. It removes plaque and food particles from between your teeth and under the gumline - areas a toothbrush can not always reach. You should clean between your teeth at least once a day with floss.
Your dentist or hygienist can advise you on flossing techniques, but the following tips may help:
- Break off about 18 inches of floss or dental tape and wind most of it around one of your middle fingers. Wind the remaining floss around the same finger of the other hand. As you use the floss, you will take up the used section with this finger.
- Hold the floss tightly between your thumb and forefingers, with about an inch of floss between them, leaving no slack. Use a gentle rocking motion to guide the floss between your teeth. Do not jerk the floss or snap the floss into the gums.
- When the floss reaches the gumline, curve it into a C-shape against one tooth until you feel resistance.
- Hold the floss against the tooth. Gently scrape the side of the tooth, moving the floss away from the gum. Repeat on the other side of the gap, along the side of the next tooth.
- Keep to a regular pattern when you floss your teeth, which should help make sure you do not miss any food particles.
- Using dental mouthwash can also help prevent tooth decay.
Diet
Try to avoid eating lots of food and drink that are high in added sugars. Have them as an occasional treat, and only at mealtimes.
Most sugars in the diet are contained in processed and manufactured food and drinks.
This includes:
- fizzy drinks and sugared soft drinks
- coffee and tea with sugar added
- chocolate and sweets
- cakes and biscuits
- crisps
- white bread
- buns, pastries, fruit pies ·
- sugared breakfast cereals ·
- jams, preserves, honey ·
- ice cream
- fruit in syrup
- fresh fruit juices
- sugar-containing alcoholic drinks
- dried fruits
- syrups and sweet sauces.
It is important to recognise that honey, fresh fruit juice and dried fruit all contain sugars that cause tooth decay.
Emergency
Should you have an emergency outside of normal surgery hours please call 01926 888026.