Tooth Brushing

How to brush your teeth properly

Brushing your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste not only helps prevent tooth decay and gum disease, it can also prevent bad breath.

It isn't just about moving some toothpaste around your mouth, though. You need to concentrate on the nooks and crannies to make sure you remove as much plaque and leftover bits of food as possible. Your dentist or hygienist will be able to show you how best to brush your teeth, but here are some tips:

Put a pea-sized blob of fluoride toothpaste on your toothbrush
Using small circular movements, brush your teeth, making sure you don't miss any
Don't forget the hard-to-reach bits at the back of your mouth and behind the teeth
Brush along the gum line as well as the teeth themselves

Finding the right toothbrush for you

A toothbrush with a small head is best, so you can move it around your mouth better. The bristles should be either soft or medium as you run less of a risk of damaging your teeth by brushing too hard.

Some people prefer to use an electric toothbrush, but there is little or no difference in the benefit, as long as you brush properly.

To rinse or not to rinse

Your dentist may recommend that you use a mouthwash or rinse after you've brushed your teeth. Using a mouthwash can help get rid of the last bits of bacteria or leftover food that you might have missed with your toothbrush, especially in the hard-to-reach areas.

There are plenty of mouthwashes on the market, but you may need to read the labels as some mouthwashes contain alcohol which may be of concern to some individuals

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