Oral Hygeine

Brushing

Brushing is the most important part of keeping your teeth and gums healthy but also visiting your dentist having regular check up’s is recommended to maintain good oral hygiene. To ensure that you are doing so you need to brush 2 times a day for 2 minutes ensuring you are brushing all surfaces of the teeth. To prevent cavities you need to remove plaque, the transparent layer of bacteria which covers the teeth and can be done by brushing.

Some people have more of a tendency to accumulate tartar more quickly than others, tartar is hardened plaque which is hard and very difficult to remove so hygiene visits are also necessary along with brushing. You need to replace your toothbrush or your electric brush at least every 3 months, if the bristles look worn or you have had a cores sore/virus.

Description: Use small circular movements with the brush held at 45 degrees to the tooth Move systematically around the mouth Remember to clean the inside surfaces and the biting surfaces Dont forget behind the top and bottom teeth A good technique will take 2 minutes

Flossing

Flossing is also another important part of your daily routine after brushing. Flossing your teeth will help get rid of bacteria and plaque which you could not reach with your toothbrush. With flossing you need be very careful not to damage your gums. Use it in a slow motion back and forth and slide up and down the tooth but do not force it on your gums as it may cause bleeding and irritation.

Your dentist and hygienist usually recommend flossing 1-2 times a day after brushing. Floss can be purchased at your dental practice and they usually recommend wax free floss which is thinner and easier to glide on tooth surfaces.

Description: Debris accumulates between the teeth If not removed, bacteria will develop and plaque will form Use the floss with a back and forth motion and with a vertical action until all the plaque is removed Work the floss gently under the gum

Interdental cleaning

Interdental brushes are small brushes which can be held between your thumb and fingers. They also can come with a holder and come in different sizes. The size which suits you can be found from your hygienist who will be able to determine which size you are with a demonstration. Interdental brushes are tiny headed brushes which help remove plaque and debris from in between the teeth which may not have been removed from your toothbrush. Slowly insert the brush in between the teeth but not forcing it as it will damage your gums so ensure the correct size is being used. Rinsing the brush enables you to use again providing the brush looks useable.

Description: The TePe interdental brush is used to clean in between teeth Turning the brush on insertion will help access Used daily, it removes plaque and food debris where your usual brush cannot reach For spaces at the back of the mouth, bend the brush in a slight curve but never at right angles this will help you access the more difficult-to-reach areas A choice of 8 colour-coded sizes is available to help clean different sized spaces

Tongue cleaning

A tongue cleaner is used to clean bacteria, food debris, fungi and dead cells from the tongue. There are many types of tongue cleaners available like plastic metal or other materials which are designed and shaped in the anatomy of the tongue. Tongue bacteria accounts for 80 to 90 percent of bad breath and clinical studies show that by using a daily tongue cleaner, bacteria as a significant effect on decreasing. Tongue cleaning also improves the sense of taste due to cleaning the taste buds on the tongue. Tongue cleaners are available from your dentist and advice on how to use the tongue will be available from your hygienist.

Description: 85% of bad breath originates in the mouth, most of which comes from the tongue Stagnating plaque bacteria and food debris can give off an offensive odour Tongue cleansing removes unwanted bacteria from the tongue's surface and the tongue-coating that cause bad breath TongueDetox is designed to make tongue cleaning easy and comfortable Use daily for fresher breath, improved taste and a healthier mouth

Cleaning implants

A Implant is a titanium screw or post that goes into the bone. Bone heals in and it is like having a tooth back. A tooth that is on a dental implant is a crown and are usually made of porcelain sometimes porcelain with metal underneath. It is important to keep these clean regularly first as if they were your own teeth. It is really important that you clean round the implant to keep the bacteria away. You do not want any infections around the bone that may jeopardize you dental implant.

Special implant brushes are available at your dentist which is very effective in cleaning implants. Brush the tooth really good in every direction, biting surface outer surface, inner surface and brush in little circles at a 45 degree angle to get to the gums and once you get those gums good and clean it is also important to floss around the area and you could also use interdental brushes to target all the bacteria that might be associated around the crown.

Description: Acute marginal inflamation Use extra soft filaments for the acutely affected area Tongue cleansing removes unwanted bacteria from the tongue's surface Using a standard brushing technique Interdental cleaning with the extra soft range removes plaque comfortably and effectively Use a standard inter dental cleaning technique with extra soft filaments Resolution of inflamed site

Description: Following the placement of an implant it is important to keep the surrounding area clean Use a 45 degree angle as the standard brushing technique Use plastic coated interdental brushes for safe effective plaque removal Tightly floss approximal surfaces and implants Ensure all surfaces are clean Adapt floss/tape for teeth and gums

Cleaning under bridges

A dental bridge is an appliance used to replace one or more missing teeth, which would be cemented into place and cannot be removed. You do not want food or food particles getting stuck under the bridge. Bridges should be cleaned every day and can be done so by using “ super floss”. Super floss has its own three unique components. A stiffened end, spongy floss and regular floss- all works all together for maximum benefits. It would be just like using floss and the super floss you feed through and pull away .Further advice on how to achieve excellence in cleaning can be found out from your dentist or hygienist.

Description: Superfloss can be used 'under' bridges First use the stiff end of the Superfloss to insert between the teeth Pull the Superfloss through and then sweep under the pontic Pull through the normal floss and floss the abutments as usual

Mouth rinses

Rinsing with mouthwash provides extra protection against bacteria after brushing and flossing. An oral rinse (mouth rinse or mouthwash) is a liquid solution that you gargle around your entire mouth- teeth, gums and tongue for 30 seconds to help oral hygiene reduce oral discomfort and also provides moisture to oral tissues or help with bad breath. A wide range of mouthwashes are available and your dentist or hygienist would be able to recommend the best one to suit you.

Description: Plaque build-up can lead to inflamed gums A mouth rinse can help by removing the plaque and reducing the inflammation