Brush up on your knowledge! Here are some answers to commonly asked questions to help keep your teeth strong, your gums healthy, and your breath fresh.
Q: Why do I need to brush my teeth?
A: More than 600 different types of naturally occurring bacteria are contained in the mouth. If they are not removed by regular brushing, they form a coating called plaque. If plaque builds up, it can cause some nasty damage, such as gum disease and tooth decay.
Q: What is the correct way to brush teeth?
A: It is recommended that you take at least two minutes to clean teeth thoroughly, twice a day.
Q: How should I choose a toothbrush?
A: It's important that your toothbrush can reach all the surfaces of your teeth. So a brush with a smaller head is generally better than one with a larger head. Whether you choose a toothbrush with a straight handle or not depends on the shape of your mouth and how easily you can manipulate the brush.
Q: How often should I change my brush?
A: Dentists recommend that you change your toothbrush at least every three months because:
- The bristle ends become worn and may cause damage to gums and teeth
- Bacteria can build up on the brush head
- A year's supply of toothbrushes costs less than a night at the movies, so there's no excuse not to!
Q: Why do teeth become sensitive?
A: Teeth become sensitive when the nerve endings become exposed. While neither tooth enamel nor the cementum covering the root have nerve endings, in some cases gum disease, excessive brushing, tooth grinding or general wear can expose nerve endings in the dentine.
This makes the tooth sensitive to touch and to hot, cold and sweet things. Toothpastes for sensitive teeth, such as Aquafresh Sensitive Maximum Strength, can help by blocking the dentine tubules and preventing the exposure of the dentine to stimuli.
Always read the label. Use only as directed. If symptoms persist, see your dentist.
Q: What causes bad breath and how can it be cured?
A: The most common cause of bad breath is bad smelling gases that are by-products of bacterial activity in the mouth. Better oral hygiene can help to cure bad breath.
- Use a quality toothpaste that contains fluoride
- Don't forget to clean behind the back teeth
- Try cleaning the tongue gently
- Using a mouthwash can help, but don't give it to small children
- Floss or clean between your teeth
- Chew sugar-free gum if your mouth feels dry. This will stimulate saliva which will help to kill the bacteria that cause bad breath
- Clean your mouth after eating or drinking
- Eat regular meals. Fasting may lead to bad breath
- Avoid drinking too much coffee, as it tends to make bad breath worse
However, if bad breath persists, a visit to the dentist may be necessary to find out the exact cause.