DO’S & DON’TS OF TOOTHBRUSHING

Brushing Teeth Do’s

Do use a fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride is added to toothpastes because it can help to strengthen the tooth enamel, making it more resistant to tooth decay. It also reduces the amount of acid that the bacteria on your teeth produce.
Use a soft/medium toothbrush with a small head that can reach the spaces at the back of your mouth.
Brush for two minutes, twice a day. Break it down into the sections of your mouth – upper right, upper left, lower right and lower left; brush each section for 30 seconds.
Do use a stopwatch to get an idea of what two minutes feels like.
Use the right technique. Tilt the brush to a 45-degree angle against the gum line and brush using small circles. This method is the most gentle and effective way to remove plaque!.
Brush your tongue to remove odour-causing bacteria.
Do use dental floss and/or interdental brushes to clean between the gaps in your teeth, each gap may vary in size.
Replace your toothbrush every three months or after you have had a cold, virus or infection.
Consider a powered toothbrush, it can clean better especially if you have difficulty brushing or with dexterity.
Do establish a good tooth brushing routine with children as early as possible.

Brushing Teeth Don’ts

Do not brush too hard. Use a soft toothbrush and a gentle touch. If you are using an electric toothbrush, you just need to guide the brush rather than apply pressure. Too much brushing or brushing too hard will wear down the enamel on your teeth and damage your gums, which can cause sensitivity.
Avoid brushing from side to side as this can scrape at the gums.
Don’t forget to brush your back teeth.
Restrict from rinsing after brushing. Just spit out the toothpaste and allow the fluoride in the toothpaste to stay on your teeth.
Do not brush straight after eating, wait at least 30 minutes. Acid in food can soften the enamel so brushing too soon will damage the enamel. After eating you should rinse away any food debris with a glass of water or chew some sugar free gum.
Don’t ever share a toothbrush with anyone, even a family member. Germs and infection could be transferred via a toothbrush.

THE BENEFITS OF FLUORIDE

What are the benefits of fluoride?

Fluoride strengthens teeth and reduces your risk of cavities by approximately 25%.

Specifically, fluoride:

Remineralizes your tooth enamel.
Reverses early tooth decay.
Slows down the process of demineralization.
Prevents the growth of cavity-causing bacteria.

Is fluoride toxic?

When used properly, fluoride is safe and effective. But it can be hazardous at high doses. (The “toxic” dosage level varies based on a person’s weight).

If you’re a parent, it’s important to supervise your child’s use of fluoride. Here are some helpful tips:

Avoid flavored toothpaste. (Children are more likely to swallow flavored toothpaste.)
Use only a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste on your child’s toothbrush.
Be cautious about using fluoridated toothpaste in children under age 6. (Children under 6 years of age are more likely to swallow toothpaste instead of spitting it out.)

Are there risks or side effects of fluoride?

The most common side effect of fluoride is fluorosis (fluoride-induced tooth discoloration). People with fluorosis develop spots on their teeth that can range from light white to dark brown. These spots typically occur during tooth development, usually in children under the age of 6.

Fluorosis most often results from consuming naturally occurring fluoride, like that found in well water. If you have well water, testing a sample can help determine how much fluoride is in your water.