Oral Hygiene Instructions
- Always use a SOFT toothbrush
- Use a flouride toothpaste
- Brush twice a day
- Don't apply pressure - let your brush do the work!
- See your dentist every 6-9 Months
Brushing
Place your brush at a 45 degree angle to the gum - use a gentle circular motion at the gumline.
Brush the outside sufaces and the inside surfaces of all the upper and lower teeth.
For the chewing surfaces, use a firm back and forth motion
Flossing
Use floss to clean where your toothbrush can't reach
- Take about 45cm of floss and wind the ends around the middle or index fingers
- Grip the floss firmly with the index finger and thumb
- Guide the floss between the teeth using a gentle sawing motion just until the floss reaches between the tooth and the gum
- Gently scrape the side each tooth using an up and down motion but be careful no to snap the floss onto the gums
Disclosing Gel / tablets
- Rinse mouth with water or mouthwash.
- Chew 1 tablet or use 5 drops of solution. Swish around for 30 seconds. Do not swallow. SPIT OUT. CAUTION: The colour can get on your clothes. It can also colour your sink. It is probably best to spit out the colour into a disposable cup, and throw the cup away.
- Rinse with water. The colour remaining on teeth indicates areas overlooked in brushing and may contain harmful dental plaque.
- Thoroughly remove the colour by brushing and flossing.
- The colour will disappear from the tongue, gums, and mouth after use.
Rinse
For most patients we advise after flossing and brushing that you rinse with a mouthwash.
For patients who are at more risk of decay we recommend you use a fluoride application. Please contact our surgery for further information.
Fluoride
What is Fluoride? Fluoride is a chemical substance known to strengthen teeth enamel making teeth less susceptilble to decay. There are three ways fluoride makes its ways to teeth:
- Through food or water
- Using fluoride toothpaste and mouthrinse daily/weekly
- Topical application made directly to the surface of the teeth by your dentist
- Fluorides are important in protecting teeth from decay in the following ways:
- They act with minerals in saliva to restore and harden enamel damaged by the early stages of decay
- They make fully formed teeth more resistant to decay.
- If your water supply does not have fluoride, then additional fluoride may be recommended.
- For children under the age of six always use a pea sized amount of reduced fluoride toothpaste, such as Colgate Junior.