Five ways to keep your teeth clean

Keep your oral health on track with our dentists top tips.

Regular brushing and flossing are essential for maintaining overall oral health, but even if you are committed to your oral hygiene routine, there are ways to improve the condition of your teeth and gums.

Find out how to keep your teeth looking fresh with our top tips below.

Master your brushing technique

It’s important to brush your teeth at least twice a day, but it’s just as important that you use the correct technique when doing so.

In order to really remove leftover food particles and plaque from your teeth, begin by placing your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gums. Brush using short strokes in a back and forth motion, and be sure to cover all surfaces of your teeth. Next, hold your brush at a vertical angle and use short strokes to brush the back surfaces of your teeth.

Brush for two minutes each time

It’s no secret that regular brushing is key to maintaining oral health, but it’s also essential that you brush for long enough each time. We recommend that you brush your teeth for at least two minutes each time — if you find it difficult to brush for this long, try setting a timer or listening to a song to pass the time.

Brushing for the right length of time helps to ensure that your teeth are cleaned thoroughly and reduces the risk of oral health issues such as tooth decay and gum disease from developing.

Get your flossing technique right

It’s important that you floss your teeth at least once a day and that you pay attention to your technique when doing so.

To floss properly, use a long piece of dental floss (around 45 centimetres is ideal) — this will allow you to use a new, clean piece of floss every few teeth without spreading the bacteria you have already removed. Try and move the floss in a ‘c’ shape as you wrap it around each tooth.

Keep your toothbrush clean

In order to keep your toothbrush clean, rinse it after each use and simply leave it to airdry. Even with regular cleaning, toothbrushes do tend to deteriorate over time so it is a good idea to replace yours from time to time.

Ideally, you should replace your toothbrush every three or four months. This will ensure that your bristles remain in good condition and that your toothbrush is doing a good job of keeping your teeth clean.

Commit to a healthy diet

Nutrition is key when it comes to maintaining both oral and overall health. We recommend that you eat plenty of whole foods, like fruits and vegetables and that you limit your consumption of processed sugar. It is also a good idea to limit snacking throughout the day — constant exposure of food particles to your teeth can promote the growth of bacteria in the mouth.

How can we help?

At Kitchener Street Dental, we offer scaling and cleaning as part of our preventative dentistry services. Regular professional cleans are an effective way to keep your teeth healthy and free from stains. To find out what to expect from a professional clean at our practice, please have a look here.

If you would like to make an appointment, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. We look forward to helping you achieve and maintain a healthy, clean smile.