It is easy to get your mouth clean and healthy, and keep it that way. A simple routine can help prevent most dental problems:

  • Brush your teeth for two minutes, last thing at night and at least one other time during the day, using fluoride toothpaste.
  • Use a toothbrush with a small to medium sized head.
  • Use a toothbrush with soft to medium, multi-tufted, round-ended nylon bristles.
  • Consider using a power toothbrush.
  • Use small, circular movements to clean your teeth.
  • Change your toothbrush regularly, and at least every 3 months.
  • Clean between your teeth every day using interdental brushes or dental floss.
  • Have sugary drinks and foods less often.
  • Visit your dental team regularly, as often as they recommend.
  • Although most people brush regularly, many don't clean between their teeth and some people don't have regular dental check-ups. A few small changes in your daily routine can make a big difference in the long term. Your dental team can remove any build-up on your teeth and treat any gum disease that has already appeared. But daily dental care is up to you, and the main weapons are the toothbrush, toothpaste and interdental cleaning (cleaning between your teeth)
  • FLOSS PROCEDURE:

You can clean between your teeth with an ‘interdental’ brush or dental floss. Dental tape is thicker than floss and many people find it easier to use. Cleaning in between your teeth removes plaque and bits of food from between your teeth and under your gumline – areas a toothbrush can't reach. You should clean between your teeth at least once a day. Your dental team can show you proper interdental cleaning techniques

  1. Break off about 45 centimetres (18 inches) of floss, and wind most of it around one of your middle fingers. Wind the remaining floss around the same finger of the other hand. As you use the floss, you will take up the used section with this finger.
  2. Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers, with about an inch of floss between them, leaving no slack. Use a gentle 'rocking' motion to guide the floss between your teeth. Do not jerk the floss or snap the floss into the gums. 
  3. When the floss reaches your gumline, curve it into a C-shape against one tooth until you feel resistance. 
  4. Hold the floss against the tooth. Gently scrape the side of the tooth, moving the floss away from the gum. Repeat on the other side of the gap, along the side of the next tooth. 
  5. Don't forget the back of your last tooth.

    When flossing, keep to a regular pattern. Start at the top and work from left to right, then move to the bottom and again work from the left to right. This way you're less likely to miss any teeth. At first it also helps to look in the mirror.

    It is also very important to clean around the edges of any crowns, bridges or implants. This can be difficult to do effectively using traditional floss and there are now specialised flosses to do the job thoroughly. Ask your dental team which product to use and how to use it properly