Brushing your teeth is no big deal. Right? At Soar Valley Dental Practice we couldn’t disagree more! Though the task of brushing might look easy, it actually involves a lot of important things.
Here’s an easy guide to 8 oral hygiene habits you want for the New Year.
1: Choose the right toothbrush
Most dentists would agree that using a toothbrush with soft bristles is ideal for removing plaque and debris. Harder bristles do nothing extra for your oral health, in fact they can do some damage to your gums! Choose a toothbrush with a small head; this helps it get to those hard to reach places at the back of the mouth.
2: Replacing your toothbrush
Your toothbrush is home to over a 100 million pieces of bacteria. But don’t worry; you have bacteria in your mouth too! However make sure you replace your brush every 3 to 4 months. That includes changing the head for electric toothbrushes too! Replace them more often if you are unwell, have a weakened immune system or the bristles are damaged.
3: Brushing your teeth twice a day
You want to brush at least twice a day, that’s once in the morning and the last thing before bed! Remember – brush before breakfast and don’t eat or drink anything after you brush at night (except water).
4: Regular interdental cleaning
Everyday, tiny food particles and plaque get into the spaces between teeth and results in an inflammatory response in the gums. The only proven way to prevent this is to use Interdental brushes, most commonly called ‘TePe brushes’, as part of your daily routine. We sell all types of TePe brushes at the practice, so ask your dentist at Soar Valley Dental to pick out which one is best for you and we’ll show you how to use them too.
5: Time yourself when you brush
Don’t rush in the bathroom! Leave enough time to brush your teeth for two minutes. The nurses at Soar Valley Dental Practice suggest putting on your favourite song in the background to keep you occupied whilst you brush, a great trick we’ve found for kids too actually!
6: Choose the right toothpaste
All dentists in the UK will recommend using fluoride toothpaste, which is proven to prevent tooth decay. At your dental check up, we will advise you on which toothpaste is best suited for you, you may require a toothpaste which can be prescribed to you by one of our dentists. So make an appointment or ask at your regular dental care appointment.
7: Stop rinsing just after brushing
At Soar Valley Dental we always say “Spit don’t rinse!” and that’s because your fluoride toothpaste will work for longer on your teeth if kept on after brushing. Remember, just spit out all the excess toothpaste and leave it tasting minty. That way your teeth will reap all the benefits of your fluoride toothpaste.
8: Start cleaning your tongue
The truth is, your tongue is just as much of a target for bacteria as your teeth. Hence, it is important to clean your tongue daily. There has been no evidence to suggest whether regular toothbrushes or tongue scrapers are better than the other. Cleaning your tongue will help prevent bad breath – what better reason do you need?
