Caring for My Teeth and Gums 

Why Are Teeth Important?

• Help chew and digest food
• Aid in clear speech
• Shape your face and smile
• A healthy smile boosts confidence

What Can Go Wrong?

• Tooth decay can lead to pain, infection, and loss of teeth
• Gum disease may cause swollen gums, bad breath, loose teeth, and bone loss
• Untreated issues may require fillings, crowns, extractions, or implants

How to Keep Teeth and Gums Healthy

• Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste
• Spit, don’t rinse – keeps fluoride on teeth
• Clean between teeth daily with floss or interdental brushes
• Limit sugary foods and drinks
• Visit your dental team regularly

Understanding Plaque

• A sticky layer of bacteria that forms constantly on teeth
• Feeds on sugar and releases acid that attacks enamel
• Can harden into tartar, leading to gum irritation and disease

Signs of Gum Disease

• Red, swollen, or bleeding gums
• Bad breath
• Receding gums or loose teeth
• Often painless – don’t ignore bleeding when brushing

Brushing Tips

• Use a small or medium brush with soft to medium bristles
• Replace your toothbrush every 2–3 months
• Brush in small circular movements at a 45° angle to the gumline
• Clean all surfaces of the teeth, including your tongue

Electric Toothbrushes

• More effective at removing plaque
• Great for people with limited mobility or children
• Oscillating, rotating heads work best

Cleaning Between Teeth

• Use floss or interdental brushes daily
• Don’t skip any teeth, including the back ones
• Gums may bleed at first – this should stop with regular cleaning

Toothpaste and Mouthwash

• Use fluoride toothpaste (1000–1500 ppm)
• Children under 3: use a smear; age 3+: pea-sized amount
• Use fluoride mouthwash only if advised by your dentist
• Avoid rinsing with water after brushing

Diet and Oral Health

• Sugar frequency causes more harm than quantity
• Limit sugary snacks and drinks to mealtimes
• Acidic drinks can erode enamel (fizzy drinks, wine, juice)
• Chew sugar-free gum or drink water after eating

Denture Care

• Brush, soak, and brush again using a separate toothbrush
• Clean all surfaces including the gum side
• Clean over a bowl of water to avoid damage if dropped

Implants and Bridges

• Clean daily as advised by your dental team
• Maintain regular check-ups to prevent infection or failure

Why Visit the Dentist?

• Prevention is better than cure
• Early detection = easier treatment
• Regular visits help maintain long-term oral health

Daily Dental Care Checklist

• Brush for 2 minutes, twice a day
• Use fluoride toothpaste
• Don’t rinse after brushing
• Clean between teeth daily
• Limit sugary food and drinks
• Replace toothbrush every 2–3 months
• Visit your dental team regularly

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