Your dentist may also recommend using the following items to complement your flossing regimen: Interdental cleaners Resembling bottle brushes and available in a range of different widths, these cleaners are often more suitable to use than floss if you have large gaps between your teeth. They’re also

It’s one thing to make flossing a part of your dental health care routine, quite another to do it properly. Your dentist will be able to instruct you on the correct flossing technique which should involve the following basic steps: 1. Wind approximately 45 cm of floss

It’s always best to floss when you’re not in a rush or when you’re too tired to do it justice. At the end of the day, if you’re too tired you might benefit from flossing first thing in the morning or after lunch. Or if you like

Here’s something you may not know – nearly half the surface area of your teeth lies between them. And no, we’re not telling you this so you can ace your next trivia night. The fact is, if you’re relying solely on brushing you’re not effectively cleaning a

Babies • Use a damp washcloth and clean your baby’s gums by gently rubbing them. • As teeth appear introduce a soft, child-size toothbrush. • Do not use toothpaste. • Visit a dentist when the first teeth appear or by 12 months. • Parents should continue to

Tempting as it is to think that pressing harder on your teeth equals a better clean, the fact is that too much pressure can damage your gums and tooth enamel. If the bristles are wearing out on your toothbrushes well before the three-month mark, you’re pressing too

If you have limited dexterity, a powered toothbrush may be a better option since it largely does all the work for you. Kids enjoy the fun of powered toothbrushes, especially decorated with their favourite characters. They can also be programmed to run for two minutes, taking out

Soft-bristled toothbrushes with a small head and a flexible neck are most effective in removing plaque and debris from your teeth, without damaging your teeth and gums. Teeth should be cleaned systematically, starting at the back with the toothbrush bristle at the gum line on a 45°

If you’re like most people, you probably don’t give much thought to how you brush your teeth, beyond squeezing on some toothpaste and scrubbing back and forth. But as your dentist will tell you, how you brush your teeth matters a great deal. How often you brush,

Chewing sugar-free gum (and that’s the crucial qualifier, it must be sugar-free!) may not be the first thing that springs to mind when you’re thinking about good dietary habits to benefit your teeth. Studies have shown that chewing sugar-free gum for 20 minutes after eating can prompt