Aside from seeing our dentist twice a year, we should all be following a good oral hygiene regime, which ensures we remove most of the harmful bacteria and this should be enough to enjoy good oral hygiene throughout your life. When you stop and think about it, your teeth and gums have to endure constant heavy use; everything you consume goes in this cavity and with correct brushing and flossing, you can keep your teeth clean.
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What is the Best Type of Toothbrush?
Many people never consider that their toothbrush might not be suitable and rather than picking up one in the local supermarket, read some of the advice you can find online. Most dentists would agree that a soft-bristled toothbrush with a small head is ideal, as this enables you to brush in those hard-to-reach areas and with a fantastic dentist in Woollahra who stocks premium toothbrushes and can examine your teeth and gums.
Online Resources
If you search on YouTube, you will find many short videos on how to correctly brush your teeth, while you can also read about foods and drinks to avoid, such as sweets and soft drinks, both of which contain a lot of sugar.
Brushing Frequency
You should actually brush your teeth 5 times a day; first thing in the morning, after breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus one more brush before retiring to bed. The pre-sleep brush is critical and without it, bacteria trapped between your teeth will have 8-9 hours to develop, which could be the onset of cavities. Here are a few foods to avoid if you suffer with anxiety, which might be helpful during the lockdown.
Flossing
Flossing in an integral part of good oral hygiene practices and you should run the floss back and forth between the teeth, changing the angle as you do. A short piece about 1ft long is adequate, and wrapping each end around your two index fingers, you are good to go.
Antiseptic Mouthwash
This is also essential for good oral hygiene, as swishing antiseptic solutions around your mouth remove the thin film that covers the tooth enamel and it should be used after snacks or drinks, plus you can rinse with mouthwash after brushing. This also helps keep your breath fresh and you can carry a small hip flask for when you are out and about.
Toothpaste
Some people mistakenly think that using a powder toothpaste, which is abrasive, will clean your teeth more effectively, yet abrasive toothpaste can cause the tooth enamel to erode, leading to sensitive teeth. Choosing a toothpaste can be best done using trial and error, until you find one that you like and make sure that the product contains fluoride, which helps to prevent tooth decay.
Regular Dental Check-Ups
Some people only see their dentist when they are in pain and this strategy will likely lead to oral issues, as oral examinations reveal any issues and the dentist can recommend prompt treatment. Every 6 months is fine and resist the urge to postpone as the time nears, because it is important to have your teeth and gums checked by your dentist.
If you take good care of your teeth and gums, they will last you a lifetime.
