Brushing & Flossing
Cleaning your teeth thoroughly is an essential part of maintaining good oral health and preventing diseases such as tooth decay and gum disease. Dr. Grant has found in his experience, that very few people have ever actually been taught the best way to brush or floss their teeth!
Brushing
If you are using a manual toothbrush please follow the general instructions below:1
Find a toothbrush with a small head and soft bristles
2
Use toothpaste containing fluoride as fluoride helps to prevent tooth decay
3
Brush at a 45 degree angle towards your gums with either a small backwards and forwards motion, or a small circular motion
4
Ensure you are brushing the gums on the outside of your teeth and the inside of your teeth
5
Use vertical brush strokes to brush the inside of the upper and lower front teeth
6
Ensure you have brushed all of your teeth thoroughly
If you are using an electric toothbrush - follow the exact same instructions.
Flossing
To properly floss your teeth please follow the instructions below:1
Ensure you have enough floss - 30-45 centimetres is generally enough
2
Wrap the floss around your MIDDLE FINGERS - not your index fingers
3
Pinch the floss with your index finger and thumb
4
Wiggle the floss gently down between your teeth, pull it all the way down the tooth surface until it is just below your gums, then drag it back up and out of your teeth
5
Ensure you are cleaning every tooth thoroughly in this fashion
There are other useful tools and products which may assist you in keeping good oral health.
We are always happy to assist you in person or online with your enquiries about how to best look after your teeth and gums. Need assistance? Call us, email us, or ask us on social media.