A good dental hygienist can help to prevent tooth decay and gum disease for your family.

Below we answer some of the most common questions on dental hygiene. You can book an appointment with our dental hygienist for a thorough clean via our contact form here.

What is the best way to brush my teeth?

You need to spend between 2 to 3 minutes brushing your teeth to ensure you have removed any plaque or food build up. If you have a manual toothbrush, tilt the brush head at a 45- degree angle towards your gums and use small circular motions to brush two teeth at a time as you make your way along the teeth. Be sure to also brush the areas next to your tongue and palate.

If you have an electric toothbrush with a rotating head, slowly move the toothbrush across each tooth, for two seconds at a 45-degree angle (towards the gum). Repeat the sequence until you have reached two minutes.

The New Zealand Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth twice a day, usually the best times for this are after you have eaten breakfast and dinner. Don’t forget to also brush the top of your tongue!

What is the best toothbrush to use?

Hard and stiff bristles may damage your teeth and gums, so it’s best to purchase a toothbrush with softer bristles and a small head. There are many electric and non-electric toothbrushes to choose from these days, both of which can prove effective and removing plaque and reaching to the back of the molars in the mouth. Some studies have shown that electric toothbrushes are slightly better at removing plaque and bacteria, due to the small, rotating head of the brush.

Newmarket Family Dental Care has an excellent range of toothbrushes available at the clinic to purchase – please see reception for any information regarding these.

What is the best way to floss?

Flossing your teeth should be done at least once a day, as it helps to remove plaque from between your teeth (where brushes can’t reach) and around the gum line. Hold the floss tightly between your thumb and index fingers, and gently saw the floss between the contact points of the teeth. When through the contact point, you can gently slide it about 2-3mm under the gum where there is a natural space between the gum and tooth. Do this in a C shape, push-pull motion. Then repeat for the other teeth.

Do I need to use mouthwash?

Mouthwashes can offer some benefit in your dental hygiene regimen, however they’re generally unnecessary as part of an everyday routine. Effective brushing and flossing is the key to healthy teeth and gums – no mouthwash in the world will replace the need for this.

How often should I visit my dental hygienist?

It mostly depends on the current health of your teeth and gums – but if you have good dental hygiene habits and a healthy mouth, most people should visit their dental hygienist twice yearly.

If you have fillings or crowns or a history of dental disease, you should visit closer to every four months, and as you get older more visits to the hygienist are recommended if you wish to keep your teeth into your golden years!

Make a booking or request and appointment with our Dental Hygienist Morgan Jenkins, by contacting us at Newmarket Family Dental Care via our online contact form here.