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The Best Ways to Clean Your Teeth
The important thing is to remove ALL dental plaque properly at least once a day. The best way to clean plaque from the teeth is by toothbrushing. A thorough clean usually takes 2-3 minutes.
The recommended technique is as follows:
1. Clean the outside surfaces of the teeth by angling the bristles of the toothbrush at a 45 degree angle to the gumline and move the brush in small circles across the teeth.
2. Clean the inside surfaces of the teeth using the same method.
3. Clean the chewing surfaces by scrubbing gently backwards and forwards.
Other important points to remember include:
- Use a small-headed brush.
- The toothbrush should have soft to medium bristles.
- Apply a smear or pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste to the toothbrush.
The Best Way To Clean Between The Teeth
40% of tooth surfaces cannot be cleaned with a toothbrush. These are the surfaces between the teeth. It is important to clean the plaque from the areas between the teeth to remove the bacteria that cause dental disease. There are several ways you can clean between the teeth. Howvwer, the recommended method is using dental floss. The correct technique for flossing is as follows:
- Use a length of floss as long as the distance between the tips of your fingers and your elbow.
- Wind the floss around your middle fingers.
- Hold the floss between your thumb and first finger.
- Put the floss between the teeth and slide gently towards the gums.
- Curve the floss to one side wipe along the side of the tooth three times.
- Curve the floss to the other side and wipe along the side of the next tooth three times.
- Pull the floss out and wind the floss on so that you are using a fresh piece for the next space.
- Move along to the next space and repeat the process.
- Keep going!
The Benefits of Using Fluoride
Fluoride is used to prevent tooth decay. It strengthens tooth enamel that has been weakened by plaque acids. It also stops bacteria making plaque acid and slows bacteria reproduction.
Fluoride can be added to water, some processed foods and drinks, toothpastes and other dental products such as mouth rinses, gels and tablets. It is very important to talk to a dentist about whether extra fluoride is needed to prevent decay, because there may be enough fluoride in your water.
Fluoride works in two ways:
1. Systemic fluoride is fluoride that is ingested (swallowed). This fluoride is absorbed into the developing teeth. This type of fluoride is important for children.
2. Topical fluoride is fluoride that washes over, and is absorbed into the weak surfaces of the teeth that have been created by plaque acids.
The Importance of Regular Dental Checkups
Regular checkups are important for the early detection of dental diseases. In the early stages, dental disease is often symptomless and the person is unaware of any problem. If problems are detected early, treatment is usually cheaper and a lot less complex.
Dental professionals can also recommend preventive treatments, such as fluoride, that will reduce the risk of dental disease and the need for complex, expensive treatment.
for the next 5 days.
The best way to prevent teeth from being knocked out during sport is by wearing a mouth guard.
A dentist or dental technician can give advice on the best sort of mouthguard to get.
Content provided by Leanne Coombe, Education Officer, Centre for Rural and Remote Oral Health, July 2002
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