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January 26th, 2012
How often should I brush my teeth?
In general you should brush your teeth twice a day, in the morning and last thing before you go to bed at night. The morning brush gets rid of that ‘morning breath’ taste and smell and the night brush removes plaque and food debris that has accumulated over the course of the day.
It may be suitable to brush during the day as well, particularly if you are eating or drinking a lot of sweet things. However, be aware that too much brushing can wear away the tooth enamel and weaken your teeth. This is particularly important as leaving teeth uncleaned overnight allows the sugars from the food in your mouth to turn into acid. It is this acid that can cause dental decay and cavities.
Which toothpaste do you recommend?
I recommend a good general fluoride toothpaste from a brand such as Colgate, Aquafresh or Sensodyne. Fluoride is important as it strengthens tooth enamel, can reverse early decay and help reduce sensitivity.
Do you recommend a mouth wash?
For general use, I recommend a peroxide or fluoride wash for general rinsing. Avoid alcohol based mouth washes. Specific antibacterial mouth washes may sometimes be prescribed by a dentist to treat infection.
How often should I floss?
Once a day. I recommend after you’ve brushed your teeth in the evening.
I find flossing difficult. Is there something else I can do instead?
I recommend a PTFE floss such as Glide. Unlike a regular floss which is made from cotton, PTFE is smoother and therefore slides between the teeth more comfortably making it easier to use.
Which type of toothbrush is the best?
I recommend a brush with a medium firm bristle and a compact head. If a brush is too hard it can damage the gums and if it is too big it is less able to get in the hard-to-reach places in the mouth.
Do you recommend electric tooth brushes?
Yes. In general when used correctly electric toothbrushes are more effective at removing plaque and food debris from the teeth and gum line. My personal choice is a sonic electric toothbrush.
How often should I visit a dentist?
If you have no dental problems, I recommend an annual examination and six monthly cleanings. If there are specific and ongoing problems I like to review patients every 3 months until we get the problems under control.
