Maintaining good oral hygiene is about more than just brushing, yet so many of use rely entirely on brushing to keep our teeth clean and healthy. But we may be playing a dangerous game if we don’t pay enough attention to the other areas of the mouth.

Brushing is obviously very important for the health of our teeth and gums. Brushing twice a day for three minutes with an appropriate brush will remove plaque from the flat surfaces of the teeth, both front and back. Brushing will also gently stimulate the gums helping them to stay healthy and fight off gum disease. But brushing alone may not be enough to clean all the necessary areas of the teeth.

For example, the areas between the teeth are very narrow and difficult to clean with the bristles of a toothbrush. It is the same with the areas around the base off the teeth and between the gums and the teeth. For these small gaps, so often the starting point of tooth decay, it is necessary to use dental floss at least once a day to remove bacteria and plaque to protect your mouth.

As well as flossing, it may be necessary to use and inter-dental brush, especially designed for use between the teeth. Other cleaning tools that are recommended for use by Central Leeds dentists include implements for cleaning the tongue. This could either be special tongue cleaning brush or even a tongue scraper. It is necessary to clean the tongue as it is a perfect environment for bacteria to build up. As well as all these measures it is crucial that you keep up your six-monthly visits to the dentist for check up appointments.