Gumsmart

Oral health: Step 1 - Brushing

The best way to avoid gum disease is to practise good oral hygiene. Gums, once damaged never grow back so it's vital to look after them. The best way to do this is to care for your teeth and gums at home and ensure you visit your dentist every 12 months, or as often as they recommend. Read on to find out more about the 3 steps to oral cleaning:

Brushing regularly, for two minutes, twice a day, is an important part of oral healthcare. When selecting a toothbrush to buy, look for one with a small head and a handle that's comfortable to grip. Dentists recommend you should replace your toothbrush every three months. Here are some tips for effective brushing:

Be gentle - Rough brushing and worn toothbrushes can damage tooth enamel.

Be methodical - one of the biggest problems most people have is that they miss parts of their mouth when brushing. A routine will help ensure you clean every corner of your mouth every time you brush. For example, start with the outer surfaces of your lower teeth, work from the back teeth to the front and then right round to the back teeth on the other side. Once you have finished all the outer surfaces then move onto the inner surfaces and repeat the process. Then brush all the biting surfaces. Finally repeat the process for the upper teeth.

Pay special attention to the area where the teeth meet your gums - Be especially careful to brush away plaque from the area around the gums and in the gaps between teeth. Combined with regular flossing, this will help you control plaque build-up.

Brush at an angle to the gums - Brush in a circular or elliptical fashion. Using a back and forth motion can risk making the root surface tender and wearing down the gum line. When you do this, point the toothbrush downwards towards the gum at a 45 degree angle as this helps to clean the gum margin.