How to clean your teeth properly

Recent dental research says, people are brushing their teeth but they are not brushing correctly or for long enough so lets brush up on our technique.

Regular brushing is necessary to reduce the build up of plaque.

Brush Up

A toothbrush is used to remove plaque from the outside and inside surfaces of a tooth.

General Rules

It is really important to brush right up to the gum line.
Teeth should be brushed individually, using a soft toothbrush, with small strokes. Hard brushing can wear grooves in the enamel.
Teeth must be brushed twice a day for three minutes each time.

5 easy steps to proper brushing

1. Place your toothbrush next to your teeth so that it rests on the gums at an angle of 45 degrees. Tiny circular movements of the brush clean the surface of the teeth from all directions.

2. Begin cleaning around the outside and the inside of your top teeth. Move the toothbrush from the gums towards the edge of teeth to brush plaque away from the gum line.

3. Do the same with the lower teeth- make sure you clean the outside and the inside surfaces.

4. Clean the biting surfaces of your back teeth with a gentle scrubbing motion.

5. Work the bristles into the gaps between the teeth.

After brushing use dental floss to complete your dental hygiene routine

Flossing

A toothbrush will not remove plaque from between the teeth.Dental floss is needed to clean between teeth. Make it part of your daily brushing routine

1. Break off about 40cm of dental floss and wind the ends around your index fingers.

2. Press the floss between your fingers and your thumbs to support it.

3. Ease the floss between your teeth using a gentle back and forth movement.

4. Don't stop brushing or flossing if your gums bleed, it is a sign to do it more rather than less!

5. Your gums may feel sore for a few days but will soon be all right.