Brushing twice a day and using something between your teeth like floss or interdental brushes helps disrupt plaque and keep your teeth and gums healthy! 

Think of plaque like rust, if it stays on the teeth and gums long enough, it will essentially eat away at your teeth and gums. Here are some tips to give your teeth and gums the best chance of winning the battle:

• Brush twice a day with a soft toothbrush.
• Be gentle when brushing — applying too much pressure will cause damage long term to your teeth and gums.
• Brushing too hard can cause abrasion on your teeth, wearing away the outer surface (enamel) which can also cause receding gums (meaning your gums slowly move down the roots of your teeth).
• Soft toothbrushes are the best for long term care of your teeth and gums.
• Plaque is soft and easily removed by a toothbrush, if you’re brushing twice a day.
• As long as your bristles are touching your teeth and/or gums, that’s all the pressure you need.
• Try to be mindful when brushing your teeth, rather than “drifting off” or getting distracted.
• Avoid brushing after eating or drinking as this can be abraisive and cause damage to the tooth surface
• If you find an area that bleeds during brushing don’t avoid it! Continue brushing the plaque off this area and the bleeding should improve. If bleeding continues for more than a week please book an appointment to see one of our Dentists

• Floss or use an interdental brush once a day between your teeth
• You need to clean in-between the teeth, as these are areas your toothbrush alone cannot reach. Using something between your teeth helps break up plaque and provide oxygen to the area.
• Ideally this should be done daily, to prevent fillings between the teeth or gum disease.
• The longer plaque remains between the teeth, the more damage it can do to your gums and bone.
• Your gums don’t like plaque and if it isn’t removed you will get puffy and bleedy gums. This can cause recession of the gums and bone that hold your teeth in place.
• If left too long, plaque buildup can result in teeth needing to be removed, or coming out on their own.
• Signs of gum disease include red, puffy or inflamed gums, and some bleeding with brushing or flossing.
• If you do see blood, it means infection is present and you should schedule a checkup as soon as possible.