A question we hear a lot from our patients at Eastside Dental: am I looking after my teeth correctly? Our Oral Health Advisors have put together a list of tips to help you.
You should be brushing your teeth twice a day. Once in the morning, and one other time in the day, for at least two minutes each time ensuring all surfaces are clean. Brushing your teeth correctly reduces the build up of plaque on the teeth.
You shouldn’t brush your teeth straight after eating meals or certain drinks. When foods containing high levels of sugar or carbohydrates are broken down in the mouth, they create acid. This acid can weaken the surface of your teeth, so if you brush straight away you can cause damage.
For most people the ideal toothbrush will have medium bristles with a small compact round end. Some people find it easier to use an electric toothbrush to reach all surfaces of the tooth. If you need advice on the best toothbrush to use, just speak to one of the Eastside team.
Use a tooth paste containing fluoride – fluoride helps prevent tooth decay. Remember not to rinse your mouth with water after brushing as this will remove the protective fluoride layer.
Use alcohol free fluoride mouthwash at a different time to brushing such as after lunch, as mouthwash rinses away the fluoride from your toothpaste.
Flossing is advised from the age of 12 to reduce tooth decay and gum disease. If you need advice on how to floss correctly you can speak to one of the Oral Health Advisors at Eastside.
You can use interdental brushes to clean between the gaps in your teeth that are hard to reach with a normal toothbrush.
The team at Eastside Dental are happy to offer help and advice on all aspects of oral care, just ask.
