ORAL HEALTH CARE

Your oral health care is essential for the health of your teeth and gums and the beauty of your smile.  Something as simple as learning how to properly brush your teeth is the first step in maintaining healthy teeth and gums.  Tooth decay and gum disease and tooth loss will all be reduced.  Consider the following tips on oral health from Align Dentistry & Medical Centre.

How to Brush Your Teeth with a Manual Toothbrush

1.  There are several different methods of brushing your teeth with a manual toothbrush, but prior to choosing any, discuss your best method with your dentist and follow their recommendations.  You should start with a fluoride toothpaste with a soft bristle toothbrush and change your toothbrush every three months.
2. You should brush your teeth no less than two minutes two times a day.  Brush your teeth in sections, taking 30 seconds to brush each section of your mouth- upper left, upper right, lower left, lower right.  This should be done both in the morning and at night.  Preferably brush after lunch, as well.
3. Brush your teeth using a 45 degree angle for the outer and inner surfaces.  Brush the teeth using strokes about the size of half of the tooth and brush against the gum line.  Be certain to get the back of your mouth.
4.  Brush your chewing surfaces, holding the brush flat and brushing your teeth in a back and forth motion.
5. Brush the inside surfaces of your front teeth, using vertical up and down strokes with the toothbrush tip.
6.  Brush along the gum line with a gentle pressure.
7.  Brush your tongue using a back to front motion.

If you are a smoker, be aware that smoking causes more than bad breath.  Every smoker knows they would like to quit smoking, but quitting is not easy.  Know that smoking causes much more than bad breath.  You raise your risk of developing oral cancer, including cancer of the mouth, salivary glands, throat, tongue and lip.

Early symptoms of oral and throat cancers include symptoms that feel similar to a toothache.  Bad breath is also an early sign of oral cancer, as well as lumps or red, white or dark patches on the inside of the mouth and difficulty in moving the jaw, swallowing and chewing.

Tobacco use is the top risk factor for oral cancer and you should speak with your dentist regarding the best ways to quit smoking.  If you are a smoker reduce your risks by brushing and flossing at least twice a day and visiting your dentist regularly.

For more information on oral health or to schedule a dental checkup by calling the number below.

Call us at (02) 9723 5757, (02) 9086 9219