Taking Care of Your Oral Health

TAKING CARE OF YOUR ORAL HEALTH

Brushing alone isn't enough to clean all of the plaque from the surface of your teeth. Interproximal areas (those places in between your teeth) and below the gumline are two spots where the toothbrush can't reach and plaque can build up. These are areas that are more susceptible to cavities. Daily flossing and regular visits to your dentist are the only effective ways to remove this plaque.

Flossing Fact

Did you know that failing to floss means up to 35% of your tooth surface goes uncleaned?

What's dental floss made of?

Dental floss is a man-made fibre (usually made of nylon) that comes on a spool. Ask your dentist how to correctly use dental floss if you're not sure.

Brushing

Brushing your teeth is one of the most effective ways of removing plaque from the exposed surfaces of your teeth.

What's the best kind of brush to use?

Contrary to what you might think, a gentle brushing with a soft-bristle toothbrush is just as effective (and less damaging!) than a vigorous scrubbing with a stiff-bristle toothbrush.

Your tooth enamel is relatively thin. Years of aggressive brushing can begin to wear away the enamel and make the teeth sensitive. (Remember, the enamel on your teeth does not contain nerve fibres, but the dentin layer underneath does. See the Healthy Teeth page on Cavities.) Brushing too hard can also damage your gums.