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We have to brush our teeth every day – twice a day. But, we all know that sometimes we skip out on that second round of scrubbing the pearly whites. Either we are too tired or aren’t quite sure if we are done eating for the day. But, dentists all agree that cleaning your mouth before bed is very important. 

Even more so, cleaning the mouth is one thing – but are you going about your oral routine properly? Is the way you brush your teeth effective?

How to brush

There is a very specific way to brush your teeth properly, and it seems most of us are doing it wrong. Firstly, when brushing, do not put too much pressure on the brush. The point of the toothbrush is that the tip of the bristles tackles the plaque. 

Mouth Health.Org says to:

• Hold your toothbrush 45-degrees to the gums. 
• Brush back and forth gently, in short strokes. Make sure the strokes cover a tooth at a time. 
• Brush the outer surface of the teeth first (that is, the front of the smile that everyone sees.
• Now, do the back of teeth (if you run your tongue across the back of your teeth, you will notice a furry film – that is plaque.
• To clean the inside surface, you must tilt the brush vertically. Remember to make several up-and-down strokes.
• Remember that your touch, inner cheeks and the roof of your mouth need cleaning too. Usually, the back of your toothbrush will have a rough patch designed to clean the tissue in the mouth by gently scraping it. 

How to floss

Dentists and oral healthcare experts highly recommend daily flossing.

According to Colgate, proper flossing removes plaque and food particles from in between the teeth, the places between which your toothbrush cannot easily reach. These places include the area underneath your gum line and between your teeth. 

If you don’t floss every day, the plaque build-up can lead to dreaded tooth decay and gum disease.

This is the proper technique for daily flossing to ensure maximum results:

• Remove an 18-inch long piece of floss from the container.
• Using your middle fingers, wind most of the floss around each one, save for an inch or two of floss in between. This is the section that you will start with.
• Make sure to have a firm grip – the middle section must be taut in order to get in between your chompers.
• Once you have inserted the floss (not too deep, you don’t want to cut into the gum), curve the floss around the base of each tooth, making sure you go beneath the gum line. 
• Use fresh sections of floss as you move through all the teeth.

Which floss should I buy?

There are two types of floss from which we can choose:

• Nylon floss (or multifilament) 

Nylon floss is composed of many strands of nylon and can be waxed and unwaxed. It also comes in loads of flavours. 

• PTFE floss (monofilament) 

 While more expensive, single filament (PTFE) floss slides between the teeth more easily, even those with tight spaces, and is virtually shred-resistant. 

Either type will remove plaque and debris from betwixt the teeth.

Is mouthwash good? 

The mouthwash business is a major corporation that promises everything from protection from 99% of bacteria and germs to even stronger teeth, and fresher breath, reports Affinity Dental. But how effective is the product as an addition to a daily oral care routine?

It depends on which one you get.

Different formulas use different amounts of chemical ingredients in order to perform various tasks.

For example, an anti-plaque mouthwash decreases plaque accumulation, which helps to prevent gingivitis and cavities. 

Some popular active ingredients present in antiseptic mouthwash are;

• Cetylpyridinium Chloride 
• Thymol, 
• Triclosan, 
• Chlorhexidine.

Some mouthwashes contain essential oils like menthol (peppermint), eucalyptus and thymol for their antifungal and antibacterial properties.

Then, there is cosmetic mouthwash. This mouthwash’s only purpose is to mask bad breath, with no health or cleaning benefits to the user.  

These formulas are usually more affordable – Think breath spray or Mint strips.

Whitening mouthwash has a bleaching agent, such as hydrogen peroxide, for whitening the teeth.

How do I use it?

Mouthwash is an integral part of a morning and night-time oral routine. It works as an on-the-go breath freshener (for when you can’t do the whole routine) and a final cleaner at the end of brushing and flossing.

The steps:

• Pour a capful into your mouth. 
• Swirl it around – most brands say 30 seconds. 
• Be sure to move the solution through the gaps in your teeth and under your tongue.
• Gargle it in as far back in your throat as possible.
• Spit. Do not rinse with water. 

If the burning sensation is a bit too intense, add a few drops of water to the capful to ease the minty tingle.

Other important oral care rules

Always check with your dentist before changing your oral care routine. 

A healthy diet really does affect the health of your teeth and gums. Cut down on sugary treats, especially the sticky kind that can get stuck between the teeth and cause cavities! 

Don’t eat once you are done brushing your teeth at night! And remember to drink loads of water, especially after eating anything acidic. Give the water a swirl in your mouth before swallowing!