Maintaining good oral hygiene is critical to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. This means cleaning your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, visiting the dentist and hygienist regularly and limiting the amount of sugar in your diet.

Brush your teeth

Brushing is the most effective way to remove plaque. Here are some tips for getting the most benefit from brushing your teeth.

• Brush at least twice a day. Make sure you brush every surface of every tooth. To do this properly can take longer than you think. Most dentists would recommend around two minutes.
• Use fluoride toothpaste to protect against decay.
• Use a toothbrush with a small head and synthetic bristles.
• Start at one side of your mouth and move round to the other side, brushing all the tooth surfaces thoroughly.
• Pay particular attention to the gumline, angling the bristles into the crevice where the gums meet the teeth.
• Replace your toothbrush every month.

Some people prefer an electric toothbrush. There is some evidence that certain types of electric toothbrush are more efficient at removing plaque than brushing by hand. However, the thoroughness of the cleaning is much more important than what type of brush you use. You must clean every surface of every tooth and a small toothbrush, whether electric or not, will help.

Clean between your teeth

Dental floss or inter-dental brushes remove plaque and particles of food from between the teeth and under the gumline. These are areas that a toothbrush cannot reach. Correct technique is important, so ask for advice from your dentist or hygienist.

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