Educating you on your oral health is an important part of our job. Maintaining oral hygiene can also play a significant role in your overall health. Recent research has linked periodontal disease as a risk factor for ailments including diabetes, premature/low-birth weight babies, heart disease and a number of other systemic diseases. Periodontal disease and decay are both caused by bacterial plaque, a colourless film that sticks to your teeth at the gum line. Plaque constantly forms on your teeth. With thorough twice daily brushing and flossing, you can remove these germs and help prevent periodontal disease. Many foods and drinks that we associate with a modern diet, including wine, some fruits, orange juice and salad dressing contain acids that can temporarily soften tooth enamel making it vulnerable to acid wear.

It is very important to brush twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush.

1. Place brush at a 45’ angle along the gumline. Use small circles to gently brush. Repeat for each tooth.
2. Brush inside of each back tooth, using the wiggling action shown on step 1.
3. Brush the chewing surfaces of the teeth, using a back and forth motion.
4. Use the tip of the brush to clean behind each front tooth, both top and bottom.
5. Don’t forget to brush your tongue!

It is important to floss between your teeth each night as plaque hides between the teeth.

1. Pull 30-45 cm of dental floss from the dispenser and wrap the ends around your middle finger.
2. Gently insert the floss between two adjoining teeth and rub the floss up and down against each tooth.
3. Unwind the floss when needed so that a clean piece is used for every tooth.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 until you have flossed between all teeth and behind the very back teeth.

Daily brushing and flossing will keep dental calculus to a minimum, but regular professional cleaning is needed to remove calculus your toothbrush and floss have missed. Your regular visits to Glenbrook Dental Surgery are an important part of your preventative care. We will thoroughly review oral hygiene basics and make product recommendations for you during your visits with us.  With regular check-ups and proper preventive care, we believe that most of our patients can expect to keep all of their teeth for the rest of their lives.

Did you know that consuming some everyday foods and drinks can lead to a condition where your tooth enamel can be more easily worn away, resulting in some undesirable effects on your teeth? Many of the foods and drinks that we associate with a modern diet, including wine, some fruits, orange juice and salad dressing contain acids that can temporarily soften tooth enamel making it vulnerable to acid wear.