Oral Hygiene Advice
How to look after your gums
Did You Know:
90% of the population are estimated to suffer from gum disease at some point in their life
Gum disease and not tooth decay is the largest single cause of tooth loss.
More than half of all teenagers have some form of gum disease.
Around 50% of all pregnant women suffer dental problems at some point during their pregnancy – the most common being pregnancy gingivitis. Changing hormone levels can make gums more susceptible to plaque attack.
Gum disease affects 3 out of every 4 adults over the age of 35 in the UK
Dental plaque is the main cause of gum disease – plaque is the sticky stuff that collects on the hard surface of your teeth and gums.
Complete removal of plaque is the single most effective way of preventing gum disease.
For Perfect gums we recommend:
First clean between your teeth using either floss or interdental brushes such as Tepe’s as recommended by your dentist. We recommend you do this at least once daily.
Brush your teeth twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste and a good quality rechargeable electric toothbrush such as the Oral B Triumph.
Change the brush head regularly at least every 3 months, sooner if it starts to look frayed
Be methodical - one of the biggest problems most people have is that they miss parts of their mouth when brushing. Always start at the same spot on the back teeth. First clean the all the outside surfaces, till you get to the other side and then the inside. Finally finish off cleaning the biting surfaces.
Clean at the gum line angle your toothbrush at 45 degrees towards the gum line and use gentle circular movements if using a manual toothbrush. With electric toothbrushes just hold the brush head against the tooth, again at 45 degrees, and gently follow the curve of the gum. Let the brush do the work, just hold it against the each tooth for a few seconds.
Finally once you have finished, spit out the excess toothpaste and leave the rest on your teeth. This will help reduce sensitivity and the risk if decay. |
