The Tribune

REGULAR car maintenance keeps your vehicle in good running order, increases its years of use and reduces cost of repairs. Good oral hygiene - the daily care techniques that maintain healthy gums, stop bad breadth and prevent tooth decay - is analogous to good car maintenance, with the exception that it helps to keep your smile for life.

The basic requirements for good oral hygiene include a toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, mouthwash and enthusiasm to smile for life.

Toothbrushes

A wide variety of toothbrushes is available in local stores and pharmacies. They vary in colour, size and bristle texture; the choice is confusing for consumers.

One should select a soft bristle toothbrush. Contrary to popular belief that ‘hard brushes clean better’, a soft bristle toothbrush, when used correctly, will effectively clean the tooth surfaces with minimal wear. Tooth wear from poor brushing technique can lead to tooth sensitivity and an unaesthetic appearance, which will need professional intervention.

Toothbrushes for children generally have a smaller sized head, larger handles and cartoon characters to enhance popularity. Electric toothbrushes are especially helpful for people with impaired or poorly developed manual dexterity, such as the elderly, those affected by arthritis and children.

The most commonly practiced tooth brushing technique is the horizontal scrub, which involves angling the toothbrush so the bristles move in a horizontal back-and-forth scrubbing motion. This method does not effectively remove plaque from tooth surfaces and may cause tooth wear.

A simple yet effective way to brush is the Fones technique - especially recommended for children. This utilises a circular scrubbing motion to all surfaces of teeth. The technique is demonstrated on YouTube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=BB6CeOYzGKc

There are other methods of brushing, including the Bass, Charters and Stillman. Ask your dentist or hygienist which technique would be right for you.

The timing and frequency of brushing are crucial in maintaining good oral hygiene. It is recommended that tooth brushing be performed at least twice a day after meals.

Toothpaste

The adjunct to a toothbrush is a toothpaste and its selection is just as important. A trip to any pharmacy would show many different brands of toothpaste in a variety of colourful packaging. However, behind the marketing, one of the most important ingredients that a consumer should look for is whether the toothpaste contains fluoride as the active ingredient. Fluoride toothpaste helps to strengthen the tooth and make it more resistant to tooth decay.

Children up to three should only use a smear of toothpaste while older children should use a pea-size amount and brush under parental supervision. This is to prevent accidental swallowing of toothpaste

Whitening toothpaste contains peroxide-based products, which may help improve aesthetics and gain a brighter smile but in some cases it may cause tooth sensitivity.

Flossing

The majority of adults and children overlook the practice of flossing; yet it is paramount to basic oral health maintenance. Flossing aids in preventing tooth decay and promotes healthy gums by removing bacteria and food present between the teeth and under the gum line, which is inaccessible to a toothbrush. Flossing is required at least once per day, particularly at night-time.

Parents should start flossing their child’s teeth when the spaces between teeth close. Typically this occurs at the age of five and above. Proper flossing technique involves cutting between 15 to 18 inches of dental floss, wrapping it around your fingers and deliberately passing it between the teeth in a “C” shape and moving it in an up/down motion. Alternatively, purchasing a floss holder is particularly helpful in older persons or those with diminished manual dexterity. A practical visual guide can be found at www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PreNWWOYfI

Mouthwashes

Mouthwashes are typically alcohol-based; like toothpastes they are packaged with lots of marketing behind them. However, fluoride mouth washes are recommended. Alcohol-based mouthwashes which do not contain fluoride only “freshen” one’s breath but do not help fight tooth decay.

Whitening mouthwashes aim for a brighter smile and will not help against tooth decay. Antibacterial mouthwashes are particularly useful when recommended by your dentist. Fluoridated mouthwashes help to strength teeth and prevent decay.

Fluoridated mouthwashes should be used daily and are particularly useful after consuming acidic foods. It is important that the consumer reads mouthwash ‘ingredients’ for fluoride before purchasing; furthermore these mouthwashes have specific instructions for proper use. Mouthwashes can be used safely by children aged seven and older to prevent the risk of swallowing.

• Dr Renald Turnquest is a member of the Bahamas Dental Association