Toothbrushing and oral hygiene
Teeth and gums should be brushed at night and at one other time during the day using a pea sized amount of family fluoride toothpaste containing 1450 parts per million fluoride. Use a power or manual toothbrush with a small head and medium textured bristles. Do not rinse out after brushing, just spit out remaining toothpaste.
Ask your dentist for advice on cleaning in between your teeth. You may benefit from using a fluoride mouth rinse daily at a different time to brushing.
Diet and drinks
Sugary foods and drinks between meals may cause tooth decay. Reduce the amount and frequency of sugary foods and drinks. The best choice of drink is either milk or plain water. Many other soft drinks (fresh juices, fruit smoothies, sugar free, no added sugar, low sugar, fizzy and diet drinks) are very acidic and can cause wear of the teeth so try to avoid brushing straight after having a soft drink.
The best choices for healthy snacks between meals are fresh fruit or vegetables or something savoury. Fruit can also be acidic so try to avoid brushing straight after eating fruit. Keep dried fruits and any sugary snacks like biscuits, cakes, sweets or chocolate to mealtimes and avoid sugary foods and drinks at bedtime.
Sugar is also known by the following names: glucose, glucose syrup, fructose, sucrose, dextrose, honey, maltose, corn syrup. All of these can harm your teeth.
Smoking and alcohol
Smoking and chewing tobacco can lead to bad breath, stained teeth, gum disease, and mouth cancer. For help and advice with quitting, call 0151 541 5656, text ABL to 60777, e-mail [email protected] or visit the ABL health website.
Keep alcohol consumption to recommended levels (none for under 18 years old, no more than 14 units a week for over 18 years old).
Mouth piercings and playing sport
Mouth piercings can cause infection, pain, swelling and fractured teeth. Wear a mouthguard when you play physical or contact sports. Remember sports drinks can contain high levels of sugar.
Visiting the dentist
Visit the dentist regularly even if you have no natural teeth (ask your dentist to recommend how often you should visit). Speak to your dentist about fluoride varnish, treatments that can help to prevent dental
disease and whether you should be using a fluoride mouthwash and higher fluoride toothpaste.
How to brush your teeth correctly
- Place the brush at a 45 degree angle to the tooth surface. The bristles should contact both the tooth and the gum line.
- Move the brush in a small, circular jiggling motion.
- Use a small back and forth motion to clean the inside surfaces of the back teeth.
- Tilt the brush vertically and use small up and down strokes to clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth.
- Brush the biting surfaces using a back and forth motion.
Specialised Dental Service opening hours:
Monday – Thursday 8.30am – 5.00pm
Friday 8.30am – 4.30pm
Clinic contact details:
St Catherine’s Health Centre Dental Clinic – 0151 514 6420
Victoria Central Health Centre Dental Clinic – 0151 514 6266
Leasowe – 0151 514 2340
Download the PDF