Preventive Treatments

Flossing

You should floss your teeth at least once a day. Flossing in between your teeth removes food debris and plaque form in between the teeth that a toothbrush can't reach. Plaque causes tooth decay and can lead to Gum diseases. Another great reason to floss is that recent studies have shown that flossing helps to prevent a heart attack or stroke.

When flossing, be sure to gently insert the floss in between the teeth, without snapping, which could damage the gum tissue. Gently move the floss up and down into the spaces between the gum and teeth. Floss the sides of all of your teeth, even if there isn't a tooth next to another one. There are a number of dental products available that are designed to make flossing easier, such as disposable dental flosses.

Mouth washes

These are (usually flavoured) antiseptic solutions, also known as gargles, used for cleaning the mouth and freshening breath. Mouth washing also plays a role in patients who are unable to use a toothbrush or where a painful periodontal condition limits tooth brushing. It may also be used in patients with superficial infections of the mouth and can be beneficial in patients suffering from halitosis.

Brushing

Brushing teeth is a simple task, but lots of people brush their teeth incorrectly, either skipping around so much that they don't really clean anything, or rubbing so hard that they actually damage their teeth and gums.

No matter how good you try to brush your teeth, some bacteria will always be left behind. The growth of dental plaque starts again the moment you stop brushing your teeth and remove the toothbrush from your mouth.

You should be very careful to use proper toothbrushing techniques so that the percentage of bacteria left behind will be the lowest possible.

Proper brushing is essential for cleaning teeth and gums effectively. Use a toothbrush with soft, nylon, round-ended bristles that will not scratch and irritate teeth or damage gums.