You clean your teeth every day, but when was the last time you really thought about what you were doing? Are you brushing and flossing properly? By Lisa Offord.
How to brush
Angle your toothbrush at 45 degrees to your teeth, aiming the bristles towards the gum line. The area between teeth and the gum is where plaque accumulates, so it’s important to keep this area clean. Once you have the brush at the correct angle, jiggle the brush gently back and forth, concentrating on each tooth, inside and outside.
The idea is to penetrate the bristles into the gaps between teeth to get rid of soft plaque. Lightly brush your tongue or use a tongue cleaner as bacteria can live here, too.
You should brush twice a day for two to three minutes.
How to floss
The way you hold the floss is important. Pull about 30cm to 45cm of dental floss from the dispenser and wind it firmly around the middle finger of each hand.
Move the floss gently up and down, using a gentle sawing motion against the sides of your teeth. You should floss at least once a day. To give your teeth a good flossing, spend at least two to three minutes. Make sure you rinse your mouth after flossing.
For more dental health tips pick up the January issue of Good Health.