Dentists recommend a thorough 2 minute clean twice a day, with flossing and the occasional hygiene visit if and when needed. These are the basics weโve always known, but when we clean our teeth out of routine without thinking about it, how can we be sure weโre ticking all the boxes?
Toothbrush
Electric or manual? Soft or hard bristles? Thereโs lots of choice when it comes to toothbrushes. Electric toothbrushes do clean teeth more thoroughly, although you may slack on active brushing because you think the rotating head is doing all the work for you, in which case they lose their effectiveness. For more detailed advice on which toothbrush is best for you, read our blog post โChoosing The Right Toothbrushโ.
Not only is it important to decide which toothbrush you use, but also how to use it as well.
Brushing your teeth at 6am when youโre half awake may mean youโre neglecting certain areas in your mouth. Jessica Hilburg from the NYU College of Dentistry pointed out that many people only focus on the front side of their teeth. Itโs important to remember to look after your gums too, as gum disease effects 3 out of every 4 adults over the age of 35 in the UK – taking care of your teeth and gums is the best form of prevention. Remember, if your gums bleed when you brush your teeth, itโs best to speak to your dentist about it.
Toothpaste
Toothpaste is used to remove plaque from the surface of our teeth โ a bacteria that can cause cavities, gum disease and possible tooth loss if left untreated. Thankfully, toothpaste is an easy and effective way of removing plaque, and there are a wide range of toothpastes readily available, including whitening, fresh breath and desensitising ranges. Your dentist may recommend you use desensitising toothpaste if consuming cold food and drinks such as ice cream or iced coffee causes you discomfort. Deciding what toothpaste to use is a personal choice, so as long as you use it, you canโt go wrong! For more detailed advice on the right toothpaste for you, read our blog post โThe Ultimate Toothpaste Guideโ.
Flossing
You can almost predict that your dentist will ask you if you floss during your appointment, and if you donโt, you may mumble a slightly embarrassed โOccasionallyโฆโ. Flossing is a simple way to reach areas of the teeth that your toothbrush hasnโt touched. Ideal for removing plaque and food remains stuck in the small gaps between teeth, flossing can be done using dental floss or tape. Your dentist make recommend you use interdental brushes if you have bigger gaps. You should try to floss once a day.
Mouthwash
Another area we may neglect with our toothbrush is the roof of the mouth. Some people donโt like the sensation of touching the roof of their mouth due to the concentration of nerves in the area making it sensitive and ticklish. This is one of the biggest reasons to use mouth wash โ to reach plaque and bacteria in places your toothbrush hasnโt reached. Mouthwash is also a good tool for fighting bad breath, plaque and other oral hygiene issues. There are a variety of mouthwashes available, but as a rule any fluoride mouthwash is efficient and inexpensive.
If youโre a new patient, book your free consultation with Katherine, who can arrange a treatment plan for you. If youโre concerned about bleeding gums, book an appointment to speak to your dentist. To book an appointment with our friendly hygienist Jon, call Shifnal Dental Care on 01952 460119.
