Truesmile Dental Clinic

Top Dental Health Tips of the Season

1.  Brush at least twice a day.

    The best time to brush teeth is after meals. Choose a toothbrush with a small head for better access to back teeth. Soft bristles are kinder on your gums.

2. Use fluoridated toothpaste.

    Fluoride helps to harden tooth enamel and reduces your risk of decay.

3. Brush thoroughly.

    Tooth brushing should take between two and three minutes.

4. Floss your teeth daily.

    Use a slow and gentle sawing motion.

5. Limit acidic drinks like soft drinks, cordials and fruit juices.

    Food acids soften tooth material and dissolve the minerals in tooth enamel, causing holes (cavities or caries). In severe cases, teeth may be ‘eaten’ right down to the gum.

6. Limit sugary foods.

    Bacteria in dental plaque change sugars into acids.

7. Protect your teeth from injury.

    Wear a mouthguard or full-face helmet when playing sports.

8. Try to save a knocked out tooth.

    If possible, hold the tooth back in place while you seek immediate dental advice. If this is not possible, wrap the tooth in plastic or place it in milk and seek dental advice immediately.

9. Avoid using your teeth for anything other than chewing food.

    If you use them to crack nuts, remove bottle tops or rip open packaging, you risk chipping or even breaking your teeth.

10. See your dentist for regular check-ups.

     You should also visit your dentist if you have a dental problem such as a toothache or bleeding gums.

Proper Brushing technique

The proper brushing technique is to:

• Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums. 

• Gently move the brush back and forth in short (tooth-wide) strokes. 

• Brush the outer surfaces, the inner surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.

• To clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, tilt the brush vertically and make several up-and-down strokes.

• Clean between teeth daily once a day. Tooth decay-causing bacteria still linger between teeth where toothbrush bristles can’t reach. This helps remove plaque and food particles from between the teeth and under the gum line.

• Eat a balanced diet that limits sugary beverages and snacks.

• See your dentist regularly for prevention and treatment of oral disease.