Tooth brushing for oral hygiene

Brushing and flossing your teeth, at least three times daily, is very important in order to remove plaque. If not, plaque build up can lead to tooth decay and worse, gum disease.

Everytime you indulge in foods rich in starches and sugar, plaque bacteria produce acids that attack your tooth enamel. One the tooth enamel is eaten away by the acid, cavity results.

Hardened plaque is called calculus or “tartar”. When calculus forms in your gumline, the tissues are irritated and become inflamed. If not removed, the gum will start to recede, resulting to infected gaps. The infection can spread to the bone, weaken support and damage healthy teeth, if remained untreated. In the United Kingdom, gum diseases are the leading reason for adult tooth loss, leading to the use of dentures, implants and bridges.

Removal of all food debris and plaque from your teeth is necessary if you want to prevent your gums from getting infected or swollen. Not removing these plaque can lead to the formation of tartar, which can cause more problems for you. Tartar can only be removed by a skilled dentist or dental hygienist. In order to prevent plaque build up, have your teeth cleaned by your dentist regularly.

To ensure proper cleaning, you should use the right toothbrush. For adults, toothbrushes ranging from small to medium sizes and with round-ended, multi-tufted nylon filaments or bristles are recommended. The head of the toothbrush should be able to get into the hard-to-reach areas of your mouth, particularly the back. For children, the same nylon filaments are required although the toothbrush can be smaller.

Old toothbrushes with worn out bristles will not be able to clean your teeth thoroughly. Replacing them after two months of use is advised. If the filaments start to look and feel worn out, you should replace your toothbrush immediately.

To ensure proper teeth cleaning, follow these brushing tips:

1. Make sure that your toothbrush is placed against your gumline and teeth. Make circular movements repeatedly on each tooth.
2. The outer surfaces should be brushed by placing the bristles on your gumline at the right angle.
3. Do the same on the surfaces inside your teeth.
4. Pay attention to the chewing surfaces and brush them.
5. Brush the inside of your front teeth by tilting your toothbrush vertically. Circular strokes are recommended.
6. Do not neglect to brush your tongue to ensure breath freshness and removal of bad breath-causing bacteria.

Make an effort to brush your teeth properly, at least twice daily, using toothpaste that contains fluoride. If bleeding occurs while brushing, you should immediately seek a dentist.

TO FIND A LONDON DENTIST CLICK HERE