Why is keeping your mouth area clean important?
Maintaining good hygiene is very important; it stops diseases spreading and keeps you clean. This includes oral hygiene. Maintaining good oral hygiene is essential to prevent dental disease and bad breath.
Oral hygiene basics:
Good mouth hygiene is usually attributed to someone who:
- Has clean, tartar and plaque-free teeth
- Has pink, healthy gums with no bleeding during brushing and flossing
- Has breath that feels fresh and clean
Having an effective cleaning plan for your teeth and mouth can be valuable not just now but in later life. Putting a greater emphasis on oral hygiene helps you to avoid tooth decay and gum disease. Some basics of oral hygiene to consider are:
- Brushing your teeth twice a day (in the morning and before bed) with fluoride toothpaste and an electronic toothbrush. Clean the roof of your mouth, tongue and gums gently as part of your bi-daily routine
- Flossing before cleaning your teeth is vital for removing debris left behind during eating. This should be done at least once with every brushing. Floss in between the teeth and take care not to damage the gums while flossing.
- Use mouthwash to rinse around the mouth after meals. Mouthwash and water should not be used after brushing as this can wash away fluoride from the toothpaste that coasts and protects the teeth from incoming stains and plaque.
Good oral hygiene can sometimes be difficult to manage without proper support and advice. Our team of professional and friendly pharmacy staff will highlight changes you can make to get the best out of your daily cleaning routine.
Should I use mouthwash?
Using a mouthwash that contains fluoride can help prevent tooth decay. However, it is important that you don’t use mouthwash immediately after brushing your teeth as it will wash away any concentrated fluoride that is left on your teeth.
Try not to eat or drink for at least 30 minutes after using a fluoride mouthwash to maximise its effects.
What type of toothpaste should I use?
Most kinds of toothpaste are very similar, but there are some things you should be looking for when picking your toothpaste. It’s important to use toothpaste with the right concentration of fluoride.
Adults should look for toothpaste that contains at least 1,350 parts per million. Children don’t actually need to use “special children’s toothpaste” they can use any kind as long as it has a minimum of 1,350 to 1,500 parts per million of fluoride.
Children under the age of 3 should use just a small smear of toothpaste. Over the age of 3 but under 6 should only use a small pea-sized blob.
Electrical or Manual Toothbrush: Which one is better?
Some high-end electric toothbrushes can be more effective for plaque control than manual toothbrushes. However, these are usually very expensive. Manual toothbrushes are much better for ensuring you get every part of your mouth.
Regardless of if your toothbrush is manual or electric, you should ensure that you use it effectively and regularly.