Brushing and Flossing Teeth

Say cheese. Now, smile just a bit more… that’s it… click .”
You’d probably be able to smile much more if you weren’t so insecure about your teeth, which are beginning to look more like eggs yolks than whites.
To prevent cavities, you need to remove plaque. It`s a thin film of bacteria and food particles that sticks to teeth and cannot be rinsed off. It can only be removed by tooth brushing and flossing, and by professional cleaning by a dentist or dental hygienist. The longer plaque is allowed to stick to the teeth, the greater are the chances that it will cause tooth decay and inflammation of the gums. The main dietary cause of tooth decay is eating too much sugar. ooth decay can be reduced by controlling the consumption of sugar, and the formation of plaque. These are the two main causes of decay.
Brushing and flossing are the most effective ways of controlling plaque wich formation and growth cannot be stopped so you need be aware of the fact that plaque is being formed continuously. It can only be controlled by regular daily removal.

Brushing

Dentists say that the minimum time you should spend brushing your teeth is 2 minutes twice a day. You can use an egg timer or play a favorite song while brushing your teeth to get used to brushing for a full 2 to 3 minutes. Some electronic toothbrushes have timers that let you know when 2 minutes are up.
Hold your brush at a 45-degree angle against your gum line. Gently brush from where the tooth and gum meet to the chewing surface in short (about half-a-tooth-wide) strokes. Brushing too hard can cause receding gums, tooth sensitivity, and, over time, loose teeth.
To clean the chewing surfaces of your teeth, use short sweeping strokes, tipping the bristles into the pits and crevices.
To clean the inside surfaces of your top and bottom front teeth and gums, hold the brush almost vertical. With back and forth motions, bring the front part of the brush over the teeth and gums.
Using a forward-sweeping motion, gently brush your tongue and the roof of your mouth to remove the decay-causing bacteria that exist in these places.

What Type of Toothbrush Should I Use?

With so many shapes, sizes and styles of toothbrushes on the market, deciding which kind to buy can be confusing. Here’s what you should look for: Most dental professionals agree that a soft-bristled brush is best for removing plaque and debris from your teeth. Small-headed brushes are also preferable, since they can better reach all areas of the mouth, including hard-to-reach back teeth. When it comes to the type of handle (such as non-slip grip or flexible neck), shape of the head (tapered or rectangular) and style of bristles (such as rippled, flat or trimmed to a dome shape), pick whatever is most comfortable for you. The best toothbrush is one that fits your mouth and allows you to reach all teeth easily. For many, a powered toothbrush is a good alternative. It can do a better job of cleaning teeth, particularly for those who have difficulty brushing or who have limited manual dexterity

Toothpaste

Toothpaste protects, cleans and polishes teeth. It makes oral hygiene more efficient. It has a fresh taste and smell, and freshens the breath. Modern toothpastes contain ingredients which are crucial to oral health. Brushing twice a day with toothpaste is essential to maintaining a healthy mouth.
Active ingredients: plaque and calculus reducing agents, anti-bacterial substances, fluoridem, breath fresheners, desensitising agents, abrasives, whitening ingredients
Desensitising agents make the dentine in a tooth less sensitive to hot and cold, and to sweet flavours. Dentine is normally covered by the enamel over the crown of a tooth and by the cementum over the roots. When the enamel layer near the gum margin has worn thin, the dentine becomes exposed. The same applies when the cementum of the roots has been worn away. Teeth then become sensitive to temperature changes or to sweetness. The main desensitising agents are strontium and potassium chloride. Regular use of a toothpaste containing desensitising agents will diminish or even cure the problem.

Electric toothbrushes

Investigations have proven to be very successful in maintaining good oral health, and removing plaque. The action of the brush is very efficient for cleaning teeth. Electric toothbrushes are recommended for the elderly and people with arthritis or other disabilities, who may find it difficult to manage with a manual toothbrush. It is effective with fixed orthodontic appliances.

Is it advisable to clean the tongue?

Tongue cleaning is a method of removing food particles, white or coloured coatings, and bacteria from the tongue’s surface. Tongue cleaners are recommended for scraping the surface of the tongue, where bacteria can convert food particles into bad smelling sulphur gases. They are designed to remove the coating from the tongue. Tongue scrapers are easy to use and come in different sizes for adults and children.

Dental floss

Brushing is important but it won’t remove the plaque and particles of food between your teeth, under the gumline, or under braces. You’ll need to floss these spaces at least once a day.
The type of floss you choose depends on how much space you have between your teeth. There are two types of floss from which to choose:
Nylon (or multifilament) floss and PTFE (monofilament) floss. Nylon floss is available waxed and unwaxed, and in a variety of flavors. Because this type of floss is composed of many strands of nylon, it may sometimes tear or shred, especially between teeth with tight contact points. While more expensive, single filament (PTFE) floss slides easily between teeth, even those with tight spaces between teeth, and is virtually shred-resistant. When used properly, both types of floss are excellent at removing plaque and debris.
However, studies have shown that there is no major difference in the effectiveness based on the type of floss used.
With any floss, you should be careful to avoid injuring your gums. Carefully insert the floss between two teeth, using a back and forth motion. Gently bring the floss to the gumline, but don’t force it under the gums. Curve the floss around the edge of your tooth in the shape of the letter “C” and slide it up and down the side of each tooth.
Repeat this process between all your teeth, and remember to floss the back sides of your back teeth.

Floss on hands

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