A good oral hygiene regime results in a healthy smile.

Daily brushing with fluoride toothpaste accompanied by proper flossing techniques should be applied daily in the morning and before bedtime.

We also recommend a healthy diet limiting high sugar intake, resulting in demineralization areas that are weak and soft areas on the teeth causing cavities. Visiting an oral hygienist twice a year will help prevent problems before they develop – less painful and expensive treatment.

Children should avoid snacking and sipping on bottles with sugar juices.

Your child should be guided by you for proper cleaning and help them achieve optimal hygiene goals. Flossing with kids begin when two teeth have erupted next to each other.

Keeping bacteria levels under control by removing dental plaque through brushing helps the body’s natural defense prevent bacteria from causing gum infections.

Your gums should be looking firm and pink with no bleeding when brushing or flossing. When experiencing any bad breath or bleeding gums, you should visit the oral hygienist.

Brushing tips

• Use toothpaste that contains fluoride (your dentist can recommend one).
• Hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your teeth and gums
• Gently brush with a circular motion.
• Brush inner surfaces of teeth with the same motion.
• Use toothbrush tip to brush inner surfaces of upper and lower front teeth.
• Use scrubbing motion on chewing surfaces.
• Brush your tongue.
• Rinse your mouth well.

Flossing tips

• Use about 15cm of floss wrapped around your middle finger.
• Hold the other end with your other hand.
• Work the floss between your teeth in an up and down motion.
• Make sure to floss the surfaces of both teeth.
• Also, floss below the gum line.
• Floss between every tooth.