BRUSHING TECHNIQUE

• Hold the toothbrush just under the gum-line at a 45° angle. Gently jiggle the brush or move in tiny circles over the teeth and gums. Repeat for each tooth.
• Brush the insides of each tooth using the same jiggling action in step.
• For the chewing surface, use a light back and forth motion.

How To Brush Your Teeth

TOOTHBRUSH CHOICE 

When choosing a toothbrush you consider the following factors;

Size of the head :
Toothbrushes with small heads are better as they can reach difficult to clean areas near the back of the mouth and between the tongue and lower molar teeth.

Shape of the bristles :
Some toothbrushes have bristles that stick out in all directions, whether you like them is a matter of personal preference. The extra bristles may just get in the way if you use the correct tooth brushing technique. For those with less dexterity the brushes with the extra bristles may be an advantage but generally should be avoided.

Changing your toothbrush :
After three months of use a toothbrushes bristles will start to wear and not clean as efficiently. Some brands of toothbrush have coloured indicators which fade with use. Once the colour bar is not visible the toothbrush should be changed.

TOOTHPASTE CHOICE

Toothpastes have many ingredients, which help to clean and maintain our mouths in a healthy condition. Several ingredients are important and are outlined below. When buying toothpaste you can check which the ingredients on the side of the tube/packet.

Fluoride
Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay by strengthening the enamel which covers the teeth. Today, most toothpastes contain fluoride due to its ability to help reduce tooth decay. Children’s toothpaste has less fluoride in it as at high levels fluoride may interfere with the formation of the adult teeth which are still growing inside the gums.

Strontium chloride
Hot and cold sensitivity may be reduced using a toothpaste that contains sodium or potassium chloride. These ingredients act by blocking up the open dentine tubules which have acted as communication channels with the nerve chamber.

Triclosan
This is an antibacterial agent, which is added to some toothpastes. Clinical studies have shown that this agent may reduce the levels of gum inflammation.

FLOSSING

Wrap dental floss around the middle fingers and gently ease it between the teeth with the aid of the forefingers and thumb.

To remove plaque scrape the sides of the teeth gently, without injuring the gums. 

How to Floss

GUM MASSAGE

Gum Massage is necessary because it increases the blood supply in the gums which in turn make them firm & healthy.
It should be done gently with your index finger in circular motion.

CLEANING YOUR TONGUE 

This is the most important but the most neglected Daily Dental Care activity. Cleaning the tongue is essential because a thin coating of food particles get deported on the surface, which results in bacterial growth. If not cleaned daily, it leads to bad breath.

The tongue can be cleaned by the tongue cleaner available in the market or by the brush itself.

SOMETHING ABOUT SWEETS

Tooth decay can easily be avoided if your sugar intake is controlled correctly. Sugary food should ideally be only eaten with the main meals as snacking greatly increases the time of acid attack in our mouths. Drinking lots of cup's of tea with sugar is also a risk, try and reduce the amount or try artifical sweetners. Certain foods may also be erosive, this means that they are very acidic. This includes things like Coke or lemon.

When you eat sweets or other sugary food the bacteria in our mouths produce acid which then dissolves our teeth. These bacteria are always in our mouth, even after toothbrushing. the worst time to eat sweets is just before bedtime as the amount of saliva we produce is decreased during sleep. Therefore the effects of saliva which protects the teeth would be decreased. 

Avoid sticky toffee: Sweets that are very sticky cause a bigger problem because they stick between the teeth and may stay there for an extended time supplying the bacteria with sugar.

Eat a lot at one time: Mums won't like this, but if you eat sweets you should eat them quickly and all at once. This reduces the time that sugar is present in the mouth.

Bad Breath

Bad breath, or halitosis, can be caused by many things. It may be the result of odor-causing foods, tooth decay, periodontal (gum) disease, continued mouth dryness, use of tobacco products, sinus or respiratory infections, some medical disorders, inadequate oral hygiene or some medications. Your dentist can help identify the cause and, if it's due to an oral condition, can develop a treatment plan to eliminate this common source of embarrassment.

Hygiene-related causes for bad breath: What you eat affects the air you exhale. Certain foods, such as garlic and onions, contribute to objectionable breath odor. Once the food is absorbed into the bloodstream, it is transferred to the lungs, where it is expelled. Brushing, flossing and mouthwash will only mask the odor temporarily. Odors continue until the body eliminates the food. Dieters may develop unpleasant breath from infrequent eating.

If you do not brush and floss daily, particles of food remain in the mouth, collecting bacteria, which can cause bad breath. Food that collects between the teeth, on the tongue and around the gums can rot, leaving an unpleasant odor. Dentures that are not cleaned properly can also harbor odor-causing bacteria and food particles.

Diseases-related causes for bad breath: One of the warning signs of periodontal (gum) disease is persistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth. Periodontal disease is caused by plaque, the sticky, colorless film of bacteria that constantly forms on teeth. The bacteria create toxins that irritate the gums. In the advanced stage of the disease, that gums, bone and other structures that support the teeth become damaged. With regular dental checkups, your dentist can detect and treat periodontal disease early.

Bad breath is also caused by dry mouth (xerostomia), which occurs when the flow of saliva decreases. Saliva is necessary to cleanse the mouth and remove particles that may cause odor. Dry mouth may be caused by various medications, salivary gland problems or continuously breathing through the mouth. If you suffer from dry mouth, your dentist may prescribe an artificial saliva, or suggest using sugarless candy and increasing your fluid intake.

Tobacco products cause bad breath, stain teeth, reduce one's ability to taste foods and irritate gum tissues. Tobacco users are more likely to suffer from periodontal disease and are at greater risk for developing oral cancer. If you use tobacco, ask your dentist for tips on kicking the habit.

Bad breath may be the sign of a medical disorder, such as a local infection in the respiratory tract (nose, throat windpipe, lungs), chronic sinusitis, postnasal drip, chronic bronchitis, diabetes, gastrointestinal disturbance, liver or kidney ailment. If your dentist determines that your mouth is healthy, you may be referred to your family doctor or a specialist to determine the cause of bad breath.

Caring for your smile: Eliminating periodontal disease and maintaining good oral health is essential to reducing bad breath. Schedule regular dental visits for a professional cleaning and checkup. If you think you have constant bad breath, keep a log of the foods you eat and make a list of medications you take. Some medications may play a role in creating mouth odors. Let your dentist know if you've had any surgery or illness since your last appointment.

Brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste to remove food debris and plaque. Brush your tongue, too. Once a day, use floss or an interdental cleaner to clean between teeth. If you wear removable dentures, take them out at night. Clean them thoroughly before replacing them the next morning.

Mouthwashes are generally cosmetic and do not have a long lasting effect on bad breath. If you must constantly use a breath freshener to hide unpleasant mouth odor, see your dentist. If you need extra help in controlling plaque, your dentist may recommend using a special antimicrobial mouth rinse. A fluoride mouth rinse, used along with brushing and flossing, can help prevent tooth decay. Look for products that carry the American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance. Products that display the seal have undergone strict testing for safety and effectiveness.