Improve your dental health - brushing
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Brush properly
We all know we should brush our teeth twice a day, but how you clean them is just as important.
- Spend at least two minutes brushing your teeth
- Use a small-headed brush: this will make it easier to reach your back teeth
- Avoid side-to-side brushing: small circular movements or up and down cleaning is a far better way to clean your teeth.
- Try an electric toothbrush. You can do the job perfectly well with a manual brush, but electric ones often have a timer and are also great for people with arthritis.
Do make sure you use a fluoride toothpaste as well when you brush. Fluoride is especially important for kids, because it helps strengthen young teeth.
Fluoride doesn't normally occur naturally in water, but in places where it is in the supply, such as Birmingham, there are half the number of cases of tooth decay.
- Next: Why scraping your tongue will boost your mouth's health
More help and advice
- Read more about dental plaque and gum disease
- An expert's advice on how to keep your teeth pain-free
- Treating dental plaque and gum disease
- More expert advice on flossing
By Rob Mansfield
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