Everyone knows that they have to clean their teeth, but sometimes there can be a lot of conflicting information to deal with. It’s not necessarily common knowledge either.
Let’s break it down and talk about cleaning your teeth clean at home.
Toothbrush
Manual or electric? This is up to you. Go for soft bristles (as soft as you can find!), and a small headed toothbrush. If you have an electric toothbrush, something with a pressure sensor and timer is best. Avoid pressing too hard with your toothbrush as these can cause toothbrush abrasions and receding gums.
Toothpaste
Any toothpaste with fluoride is good! Avoid whitening and charcoal toothpastes as these can cause damage to the enamel and sensitivity.
Once you are done brushing, spit out the toothpaste and don’t rinse after! Leaving the toothpaste on gives you more benefit from the fluoride.
Flossing
Your toothbrush does not clean in between the teeth effectively. This is why we have floss. You can use any type of interdental cleaner (interdental brushes, flossettes, floss, water pick) that works well in your hands.
Watch this video by the Australian Dental Association to learn how to floss.
How often?
You should be cleaning your teeth at home at least twice a day. Ideally morning and night. Avoid eating for 30 minutes before and after brushing for the best results.
You should floss once a day.
Wondering about your children’s teeth? See our article on how to keep your children’s teeth clean.
How do I know I’m doing it properly?
Ideally you are wiping every surface of every tooth with your brush and floss. If you are unsure, you can find plaque disclosing tablets and solutions at the chemist that can highlight the areas you are missing. To use these, brush first, then use the plaque disclosing solution according to the package directions. Any plaque and food that is left behind changes colour so it is easily seen. This is a great activity to do with kids to show why it’s important to brush our teeth!
