We recommend the following steps for good oral hygiene:
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Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Replace your toothbrush every three or four months. If the bristles are worn, you need to replace it sooner. A worn toothbrush cannot clean your teeth properly.
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Clean between your teeth every day with dental floss or interdental brushes. Decay-causing bacteria stay longer between the teeth, where a toothbrush cannot reach them. This cleaning helps remove the sticky layer on the teeth called plaque, as well as food particles between the teeth and under the gums.
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Eat a balanced diet and limit frequent snacking between main meals.
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Visit your dentist regularly for an oral examination and professional cleaning.
Antimicrobial mouthwashes and toothpastes reduce the number of bacteria and stop bacterial activity in dental plaque, which causes gingivitis (an early and reversible form of periodontal disease). Mouthwashes containing fluoride reduce and prevent tooth decay. However, they are not suitable for children under six years of age. Always check the manufacturer's recommendations for any restrictions on their use.
Ask for a consultation about which oral hygiene products are best for you.
Frequently asked questions
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What is plaque?
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Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that forms on the teeth and gums. After every meal, the bacteria in plaque release acids that attack tooth enamel. Repeated, frequent attacks can weaken the enamel and eventually lead to tooth decay. Most of the foods we eat every day cause bacteria to release acids. If you snack often, your enamel may be under acid attack all day long. Plaque that is not carefully removed every day can harden and turn into tartar.
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Plaque also produces substances that irritate the gums. They become red and bleed easily. Over time, the gums pull away from the teeth. Pockets form and fill with more bacteria and pus. If the gums are not treated, the bone around them can be destroyed. The teeth then become loose and may eventually be lost.
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One way to protect yourself from tooth decay and periodontal (gum) disease is to eat a balanced diet and limit snacks between meals. If you want a quick snack, it is best to choose raw vegetables, yoghurt or fruit.
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Am I brushing my teeth correctly?
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Hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums.
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Move the brush back and forth gently, in short strokes (about the width of one tooth).
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Use the head of the brush to clean the inner surfaces of the front teeth, with gentle up-and-down strokes.
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Don't forget to clean your tongue as well, to remove bacteria and freshen your breath.
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Am I using dental floss correctly?
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Break off a piece of floss about 15–20 centimetres long and wind most of it around one finger (index or middle finger). Wind the rest of the floss around the same finger of the other hand.
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Gently guide the floss between your teeth using a gentle rubbing motion. Never press it too hard against the gums, and take care not to injure the interdental papilla (the gum that fills the space between the teeth near the base of the tooth).
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When the floss reaches the gum, curve it into a C shape and gently slide it into the space between the tooth and the gum.
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Hold the floss tightly against the tooth and carefully clean the tooth surface with gentle up-and-down rubbing motions.
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Some people find flossing difficult. In such cases, other interdental cleaning aids can be used, such as interdental brushes and toothpicks. Ask your dentist how to use them correctly, so that you do not damage your gums.
This article is for information only and does not replace an examination by a dentist.
