Oral Hygiene : A Key to Better Hygiene - 2

Habits are formed early, so it is important that good oral care starts at a young age. Here are a few points that should be a permanent part of of your daily routine - and that of your children (if you have any) - to avoid the build-up of plaque and tooth decay.

Brushing

• Teeth - and tongue - should be cleaned at least twice a day: in the morning and before bed.
• Pay attention to the entire mouth when brushing to ensure the cleaning process is thorough. Hold your toothbrush at a slight angle against your teeth and brush with short back-and-forth motions. Avoid vigorous or harsh scrubbing as it irritates the gums.
• Replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months because old bristles are no longer effective. If you have problems gripping a toothbrush, consider an electric toothbrush.
• Ensure that your toothpaste contains fluoride as this helps prevent tooth decay.

Flossing

• Brushing is not enough. You should floss once a day to ensure that hard-to-reach gaps between teeth are free of food debris, which is a source of bacterial growth.
• Cut off sufficient floss (around 40 cm) to wrap around your fingers with sufficient space to floss your teeth.
• Gently scrape the floss against the tooth several times from the gum upwards to ensure thorough plaque removal. As you move to the next tooth, unwind fresh floss around your finger.
• If your gums initially bleed when you floss, don't worry. The bleeding should stop as your gums become healthier and tighter around your teeth.
• If you find it difficult to floss, ask your dentist about other options to help you keep to your daily flossing schedule.

Rinsing with antiseptic rinses

• Antiseptic rinses reach the entire mouth area to kill bacteria and prevent the accumulation of plaque between teeth. Certain rinses have been further shown to reduce the risk of gingivitis.
• Rinsing after brushing completes you teeth and gum cleaning routine. Hold around 15 ml of the rinse in your mouth before expelling it.
• Your dentist may even suggest an antiseptic rinse that contains fluoride.