Keep your pearly whites in top condition with a few easy steps, writes Susan Edmunds.
It's something almost everyone does every day. Most people do it more than once - some people three or four times. But do you really know how to brush your teeth properly? With so many different types of toothbrush available, not to mention floss, mouthwash and tongue scrapers, it seems to have become quite an elaborate art.
Dr Asi Cohen, of Smilecare Dental, says there are some common mistakes that people make when brushing their teeth. "Toothbrushing isn't just an act of randomly pushing the brush over the teeth. It has to be done systematically." He says people should focus on the most decay-prone areas - the gumline, back teeth and bits that are hard to get at when flossing.
He says everyone should brush at least twice a day. "For those who have to eat frequent small portions of food through the day, brushing after lunch would be hugely beneficial also." But don't rush to brush. He says if you brush immediately after consuming something acidic, like diet soft drinks, you can do more damage through "scrubbing" the acidity into your teeth. "Neutralise acidity from citric fruits or carbonated drinks with a water or baking soda rinse before brushing."
Dr Cohen recommends the Bass technique for toothbrushing. Brush in circles and up and down, but when it comes to the gum line, move the brush to a 45-degree angle, apply gentle pressure so it just goes under the gums, vibrate there and then flick it away. This should dislodge any food trapped under the gums. Always brush your tongue. The whole process should take about two or three minutes.
But don't think that because brushing is good, lots of brushing is better. Toothbrushing that is too vigorous creates problems of its own. Dr Cohen says a lot of people have "toothbrush abrasion" around the gumline, where some of the tooth that should be under the gum is exposed.
This is usually due to heavy-handed "back and forth" brushing with a firm toothbrush, and the consumption of energy drinks, soft drinks and some herbal teas. The acidity in those drinks can cause erosion in the enamel around the gums, making those areas more vulnerable to excessive brushing.
He says electric toothbrushes are a good option, because their pulsing motion removes plaque more efficiently than regular toothbrushing. "The smaller toothbrush heads associated with electric toothbrushes allow them to be manoeuvred into narrow spaces and hard-to-reach surfaces better than a manual toothbrush. Electric toothbrushes protect against toothbrush abrasion as they will cease brushing if too much pressure is applied to the tooth surface."
Grazing on food is bad for teeth. If you are going to eat sugary foods, whether it's fruit, sugar in your coffee or lollies, have them all in one go rather than throughout the day.
After about half an hour, your saliva works to neutralise the acidity, but if you are constantly snacking, you don't give it a chance to work.
In areas where the water supply isn't fluoridated, Dr Cohen says not rinsing toothpaste out completely - leaving a bit in your mouth - may offer some protective benefit. He says under-fives should use a children's toothpaste, with less concentrated fluoride.
Toothy tips
* Brush at least twice a day and always brush your tongue.
* Focus on problem areas and work your way through your mouth systematically, don't just brush randomly.
* Brush gently - you aren't trying to scrub your teeth.
* Wash your mouth out before you brush when you have had acidic food or drinks.
* In most cases, water is as much of a mouthwash as you need. Mouthwash can strip away the beneficial qualities of your toothpaste.
