SPRING CLEAN YOUR ORAL HYGIENE
Australia Dental Clontarf
There are so many things that as individuals we can do at home to keep our pearly whites shining! Its very completely normal to spring clean the home or the car, why not the mouth? The most common oral diseases are dental decay and periodontal (gum) disease, this spring lets set our goals on a healthier mouth. The fact is that over half of Aussies don’t even brush their teeth. It is probably why we as Australians have the most dental decay in the world, behind the Philippines and India.
The Science Behind Brushing
Yes you read that right! Science! It is a little bit of a science, for optimal brushing we need a few things aligned. Starting with the type of toothbrush you are using, a manual toothbrush does do the trick, however an electric toothbrush can make it easier, and who doesn’t love that. It is important that brushing is done in soft circular motions, an electric toothbrush will do this for you by oscillating and rotating. The best toothpaste to use is a non abrasive fluoride toothpaste, this way it wont be wearing the first layer of the tooth away and the fluoride within the paste will help to replenish areas of the mouth which require remineralisation. Your toothbrush or toothbrush head should be changed every 3 months, this is the most ideal time frame as it will remove the most amount of plaque without damaging the teeth.
Regular Check and Cleans Are A Must!
Here at Australia Dental Clontarf we recommend you see the dentist for your regular check and clean every 6 months. This is the best way to catch decay in its early stages and target it at the preventative level rather than large and expensive procedures. We believe in prevention over treatment! Visiting us every 6 months will limit the amount of tartar built up on the teeth. If this tartar is not removed then the build up can create serious concerns, such as periodontitis and decay. By going to the dentist 6 monthly you can buy yourself peace of mind, knowing that your mouth is healthy!
Floss The Teeth You Want To Keep
Flossing has been proven to reduce tooth decay and gum disease more so than brushing, yet less than 40% of Australians actually Floss! Flossing removes plaque from between the teeth which is the main cause for decay within inter-dental spaces. Due to this it also helps to strengthen the gums and reduce risk of gum diseases. The right way to floss is down the side of each tooth, ensuring you reach the gum and actually go beneath it. Flossing can cause unhealthy gums to bleed however it is the floss which will continue to make them healthy, bleeding is the bacteria in and around the gums being released! So when you floss, and you see blood, keep flossing, bleeding is a sign that your gums are not healthy now but they soon will be.
