Most people rinse their mouth out with water or mouthwash, or both, after they’ve finished brushing their teeth and spat out the toothpaste. But should you? There are now a large number of people, including a lot of dentists, who believe rinsing the mouth after brushing shouldn’t be done and needs to be expelled as a natural routine of dental hygiene.
To rinse or not to rinse
It’s something that is simply accepted by many people, that you rinse after brushing. But when you sit down and think about it, it makes sense not to. Spitting out the toothpaste once you’re done brushing and leaving the residue on the teeth not only keeps your mouth fresh but means the fluoride in your toothpaste continues to work after you’ve finished brushing and this is exactly what many dentists are now saying.
Many companies that make and sell toothpaste are also preaching the same message. Colgate has stated that leaving fluoride on the teeth can allow the toothpaste to continue to work up until your next meal.
Are there other views?
If you were to follow up reading this article with a look into other people’s views on the internet you would discover an ongoing debate between those who believe in rinsing and those who don’t. Despite many dentists advising to not rinse, a large number of people still stick by the idea of rinsing. This can be true for some toothpaste with very high fluoride concentrations, such as whiteners and smokers’ toothpaste, or toothpastes with other added chemicals which could damage teeth if there is prolonged contact.
It should be stressed however that these toothpastes are not common orthodox toothpastes and are usually prescribed or specialised types.
Daily dental flossing forms part of an oral hygiene regimen for keeping the mouth clean and healthy. Flossing maintains healthy teeth and gums for a beautiful smile.
Removing plaque
Getting between hard-to-reach dental contours, floss removes debris that sticky plaque may adhere to. When plaque builds up between teeth and the gum line, it may cause bacteria to over-colonise, triggering the start of tooth decay and gum disease.
Dental floss ensures food debris, plaque and bacteria are removed for good oral health. If left, these agents cause rotting in the mouth, smelly breath and raise the risk of oral trauma, leading to tooth loss. Ideally, teeth should be flossed after meals and when teeth are brushed in the morning and before bedtime.
There are a range of flosses or dental tapes at various shop outlets that may be used as part of a daily oral cleansing schedule. The dentist or dental hygienist may advise on what dental cleaning instruments are most suitable, particularly for those with dexterity problems.
Flossing technique
Take about 18 inches of floss, with sections enough for each tooth along a dental arch. Wrap the dental floss section between the index fingers and slide between the teeth, back and forwards and along the gum line. Think of the motion as making a C shape, scraping debris from the surrounds of the each tooth.
Be gentle and use separate sections of the 18 inch floss for each tooth along the arch. If you started with the upper arch, get a new 18 inch of floss to do the lower arch of teeth one by one. Work in a pattern from side to side, not missing any teeth out so that all are cleaned.
Some bleeding during flossing is normal, however persistent bleeding should be checked by a dentist as it may be a sign of gum disease.
In addition to providing our patients with the latest cosmetic innovations, we are also committed to promoting good oral health and providing preventative and general dental treatments to free your mouth from oral disease and ensure your teeth and gums stay healthy. Bad breath (halitosis) is a very common problem, which is usually easily treated. If you’re suffering, call us and we will help you to banish halitosis for good and boost your confidence.
About bad breath
Bad breath affects most people from time to time, but if you have persistent bad breath, this can really take its toll on your confidence. Occasional bad breath is usually linked to your diet, but if you have bad breath on a regular basis, this is commonly associated with poor oral hygiene. Good oral hygiene is an effective means of getting rid of bacteria; if you don’t brush and floss frequently, these bacteria gather in the mouth and multiply, increasing the risk of bad breath, as well as gum disease and decay.
When you eat, the bacteria in your mouth feed, and this causes them to give off gases that have a very unpleasant odour. This is why you experienced bad breath.
How we can help
Our dentists and hygienists are experienced in treating bad breath and they use oral hygiene treatments such as scale and polish, and offer advice about oral hygiene at home, to help you get rid of harmful bacteria and enjoy clean, fresh breath.
We can provide regular intensive cleaning treatments and give you advice about brushing and flossing at home to prevent bad breath in the future. We can also offer lifestyle and diet and nutrition tips to help to reduce the risk of bad breath.
Dental check-ups are just as important to your oral health and hygiene as brushing and flossing your teeth. You may think you have mastered the art of caring for your teeth, but things can break-out and go wrong pretty quickly in your mouth, which is where your dentist can step in and save the day for you. At a check-up, an x-ray and a probe can assess you for anything going wrong and then it can be fixed straight away. Your dentist can also give you a thorough scale and polish if needed to get into places that your personal cleaning can’t. However, you shouldn’t just see the dentists as a repair shop; also see it as an opportunity to discuss any troubles you may have. Modern dentists cover everything from diet, your general health, cosmetic dentistry, to phobias, oral hygiene, smoking and drinking. Use this time well and you should continue to have healthy teeth and gums for the rest of your life. For more information about making use of a dental check-up in Swindon, then get in contact with Clifton Dental of Bristol- they serve your town.
Every one of you should know the values of brushing your teeth well: this basic, yet valuable procedure each day ensures that you remove sticky bacteria from the surfaces of your teeth and hopefully prevent plaque from getting a hold in your mouth. However, for all the good brushing does, it is often required that you to go the extra mile in order to give your teeth and gums a thorough clean. Your brush is simply too big to get right in between your teeth and up around the gums, so you have to go out and accessorise more. Inter-dental brushes are tiny and can right into the areas where food gets stuck; dental floss is also excellent for this. Flossing after meals can help get up around the gums and remove any left over bits that may be lodged in there. To add to your set of goodies, having a good mouthwash can also help swish away any bacteria and leave your mouth feeling fresh and healthy. If you back this entire process up with regular visits to your dentist, your teeth and gums should remain healthy throughout your life. For this and other issues on oral hygiene you may have, get along and see Clifton Dental in Bristol; they can offer you expert advice on this subject and are only to willing to talk to you.
There is always going to be an ever present evil waiting to strike in your mouth- plaque, and it is something you are going to have to be on your guard against all of your life in Bristol. It starts with a build-up of sticky films on the surfaces of your teeth that then get nasty by developing into hard tartar; from this, there is a danger of tooth decay and gum disease breaking out. But you can stop this from the start by ensuring you brush correctly and doing this right involves you getting the right toothbrush and then perfecting the way you use it- and there are many to choose from in order to do this. Hand held brushes are fine if you can work them right, but they are rather making way for electric ones these days. There is a lot of design and technology behind electric toothbrushes, all of which is meant of make it easy to attack the threat of plaque building up in your mouth. There are some incredible variations on the theme; some go round, others go up and down- some pulse specifically to break down tartar. All of these work brilliantly and will help to thwart any threat to the surfaces of your teeth. Choosing can be confusing though, so to give yourself an advantage, go along to see the people at Clifton Dental; they can give you pointers when it comes to choosing a good toothbrush.
Looking after your teeth is quite intricate and sometimes just brushing is not enough to give your teeth and gums total care. Of course, getting a good brush is essential; regular brushing will remove any film, bacteria and plaque from the surfaces. But one of the biggest dangers comes from food that gets lodged between the teeth and seeing as your toothbrush can’t reach these places, this food will start to breed bacteria and produce acids that will eat into your teeth’s enamel. To back up your brushing, you need other products to help you out. Flossing and inter-dental brushes can get into the dark areas between your teeth and up around your gums to ensure your whole mouth is free from foodstuffs. The crowning glory to all of this is to use a mouthwash- this will complete your cleaning regime completely. However, what a lot of people forget to do is to clean their tongue; this holds more bacteria than any other part of your mouth, so by scrubbing it gently at the end of the day and using a mouthwash afterwards, you have ensured that your oral hygiene is the best it can get. For more tips on looking after your mouth, you should get in touch with the Clifton dental studio in Bristol as they serve the whole of the Swindon area.
If you are having doubts about whether you are looking after your teeth and gums enough, then you should get along to Clifton Dental in Bristol because they can tell you everything about oral hygiene. You would think it’s an easy thing to do, but it’s surprising how many people still manage to get the basics of flossing and brushing wrong. Okay, let’s just say you’ve thrown all of your products away and you are starting all over again. You need to find a toothbrush to begin with. The brush has got to do the basics of keeping the surfaces of your teeth clear of bacteria and remove any obvious signs of food, but it has to be sympathetic to the tenderness of your gums so it doesn’t need to be too abrasive. Brushes also come in different shapes- some are angled so to allow a better approach to the inside track of the teeth. Electric ones are superb for doing all the work for you, they’re efficient and they get the job done. However good your brushes are though, they still fall short of dislodging food from between the teeth and gums, which is why you need back-up from dental floss that you can weave up and into these crooks and crannies. Floss comes in different thickness’s, so you need to find one that suits the conditions in your mouth: some floss already comes pre-strung on plastic harps to take the sting out of wrapping it around your fingers. Learn how to apply both properly to your teeth and gums and you we are well on the way to oral glory.
Brushing your teeth twice a day may seem like no big deal, no routine of importance. However, cleaning your teeth properly is one of the most beneficial ways to ensure good oral health In addition, flossing once a day can go a long way in removing stubborn plaque and bacteria, leading a to a cleaner and more healthy mouth.
Brushing your teeth should be a conscious effort, using a clean toothbrush with soft bristles and topped with fluoride toothpaste. Small, circular motions should be used to clean the teeth on both sides, ensure you cover the entire jawbone and pay attention to each row of teeth. Do not rub too aggressively as this may result in a loss of enamel or may cause damage to the surrounding tissues. The tongue should not be neglected either as this is where most of the harmful bacteria reside. You may use the back of your toothbrush to gently rub the surface of the tongue. Once again, do not be too abrasive, you do not want to cause damage to your mouth as you are tying to protect it from just that.
Around Bristol, Clifton Dental recommends flossing your teeth at least once a day. Toothbrushes cannot always reach certain areas in the mouth, such as in the gaps between the teeth, and this is where plaque and bacteria can collect, possibly causing gum disease or tooth decay. Dental floss can be brought from any chemists and can even be carried around during the day, in case you should wish to floss after every meal.
If you follow these simple, but important steps, your teeth should remain happy and healthy for a long time.
As you grow up in Bristol, so many things are thrown at you so quickly and it can become overwhelming dealing with every issue, but as long you make sure that everything is succinct and in place, it will give you a launch pad to reach for the stars. But before take-off, you need to look after your teeth because then they will look after you too. Good dental hygiene is essential in setting you asunder, and you need to get the basics right to keep the health of your mouth together. Having your dentist in the picture is so important, as they can tell you all you need to know for the future. It may sound trivial and a bit patronizing, but if you don’t know how to choose the right brush and then use a toothbrush properly, you don’t stand a chance against the evils of gum disease and tooth decay. However if you get this right, then you have a chance of batting for the right team, especially if you back up your teeth brushing with some flossing as well; flossing your mouth after brushing can get into areas that your big old toothbrush can’t and ensure that all the residue of bacteria does not lead to plaque.
Dr Gerrard is a Bristol based Cosmetic dentist with many years of experience and is one of only a small number of dentists accredited by The British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
Dental check-ups are just as important to your oral health and hygiene as brushing and flossing your teeth. You may think you have mastered the art of caring for your teeth, but things can break-out and go wrong pretty quickly in your mouth, which is where your dentist can step in and save the day for you. At a check-up, an x-ray and a probe can assess you for anything going wrong and then it can be fixed straight away. Your dentist can also give you a thorough scale and polish if needed to get into places that your personal cleaning can’t. However, you shouldn’t just see the dentists as a repair shop; also see it as an opportunity to discuss any troubles you may have. Modern dentists cover everything from diet, your general health, cosmetic dentistry, to phobias, oral hygiene, smoking and drinking. Use this time well and you should continue to have healthy teeth and gums for the rest of your life. For more information about making use of a dental check-up in Swindon, then get in contact with Clifton Dental of Bristol- they serve your town.
Every one of you should know the values of brushing your teeth well: this basic, yet valuable procedure each day ensures that you remove sticky bacteria from the surfaces of your teeth and hopefully prevent plaque from getting a hold in your mouth. However, for all the good brushing does, it is often required that you to go the extra mile in order to give your teeth and gums a thorough clean. Your brush is simply too big to get right in between your teeth and up around the gums, so you have to go out and accessorise more. Inter-dental brushes are tiny and can right into the areas where food gets stuck; dental floss is also excellent for this. Flossing after meals can help get up around the gums and remove any left over bits that may be lodged in there. To add to your set of goodies, having a good mouthwash can also help swish away any bacteria and leave your mouth feeling fresh and healthy. If you back this entire process up with regular visits to your dentist, your teeth and gums should remain healthy throughout your life. For this and other issues on oral hygiene you may have, get along and see Clifton Dental in Bristol; they can offer you expert advice on this subject and are only to willing to talk to you.
There is always going to be an ever present evil waiting to strike in your mouth- plaque, and it is something you are going to have to be on your guard against all of your life in Bristol. It starts with a build-up of sticky films on the surfaces of your teeth that then get nasty by developing into hard tartar; from this, there is a danger of tooth decay and gum disease breaking out. But you can stop this from the start by ensuring you brush correctly and doing this right involves you getting the right toothbrush and then perfecting the way you use it- and there are many to choose from in order to do this. Hand held brushes are fine if you can work them right, but they are rather making way for electric ones these days. There is a lot of design and technology behind electric toothbrushes, all of which is meant of make it easy to attack the threat of plaque building up in your mouth. There are some incredible variations on the theme; some go round, others go up and down- some pulse specifically to break down tartar. All of these work brilliantly and will help to thwart any threat to the surfaces of your teeth. Choosing can be confusing though, so to give yourself an advantage, go along to see the people at Clifton Dental; they can give you pointers when it comes to choosing a good toothbrush.
