Brushing your teeth is probably the most boring chore on Earth. Yet, it’s something nearly everyone does hopefully twice a day. We’re taught to clean our teeth from when we’re a toddler, but are we actually be doing it incorrectly? We chatted to Tabitha Acret, a leading Australian Dental Hygienist who outlined the whole tooth ( pun intended ) of the matter.
1. How often should adults brush their teeth and for how long?
Everyone from children to adults should brush their teeth twice a day once in the morning and once before bed for at least 2 minutes each. The night time brush is the most important as our saliva flow reduces at night. We lose the protective factor that saliva creates and our teeth become more vulnerable to the acids and bacteria that are in our mouths.
2. What are some common health problems associated with not brushing your teeth?
When we do not disrupt the plaque from brushing we become susceptible to gum disease, bleeding gums, decay and infections that can cause discomfort and pain. You can also get bad breath and yellow or discoloured teeth.
3. How often should we be going to the dentist?
Each person has different needs for their visitation to the dental practice, your dentist or dental hygienist will set individual recall periods for you, the better you brush at home the less frequently you will need to go! Though as a rule, the average is every 6 months.
4. What are your top tips for whiter teeth without breaking the bank?
Brush twice a day and clean in between your teeth once a day. Visit your dental hygienist for regular cleaning to remove staining. Check whether your dental practice uses the AIRFLOW Dental Spa, a non-contact form of dental cleaning featuring a jet of warm water, fine powder, and air. Gone are the days of scary dental appointments featuring painful teeth scratching and nails scraping like noise on the blackboard sounds!
When you have red and sore gums they make your teeth look more yellow, so by keeping your teeth and gums healthy your smile will also be brighter. If you drink coffee, tea or red wine, once you have finished your drink, have a mouthful of water to rinse the staining residue off your teeth.
5. Does charcoal actually help make your teeth whiter? How?
No, charcoal toothpastes are a fad. Though the advertising claims it works wonders, the scientific research shows that there is no evidence to support any ‘whitening effect’ and that some brands are quite abrasive and may even cause damage to your teeth. A professional clean with the AIRFLOW Dental Spa, is not teeth whitening but it will considerably improve the brightness of your teeth and give you a fresh and sparkling mouth in an instant.
To find out where they could trial AIFLOW head to https://airflowdentalspa.com.au/
Words by Arrnott Olssen
