Dental floss is a man-made fibre, usually nylon and comes on a spool. It is inexpensive, ready to use and always available in the market. Dental floss is used in cleaning the crevices between the teeth and below the gum line where bristles of ordinary toothbrush can’t reach. It mechanically removes the bacteria that build up on our teeth and gums. Brushing alone cannot remove these bacteria. If the bacteria are not removed, they turn into plaque. Afterwards, the plaque will then turn into a hard substance that is commonly known as tartar. This will lead to the growth of more dangerous types of bacteria that produce toxins which is harmful to our bodies. The toxins will irritate the gums and can lead to gingivitis or inflammation. It will then result to Periodontal Disease wherein the toxins harm the gums and the bones that support the teeth and lead to tooth loss.
Dental flossing can also eliminate bad breath. It prevents the bacteria from breaking down food particles left in the mouth and turning it into volatile sulphur compounds that cause bad breath.
When flossing, use about 18 inches of floss. Wind some of it around one of your middle finger and the rest around the other middle finger. Use the thumb and forefinger of each hand in grasping the floss and leave an inch of floss between the two hands. Insert the floss in-between teeth. When the floss reaches the gum flap, gently slide it into the space between the tooth and the gum. Scrape up and down along the side of the tooth. Repeat five to six times. Do the same on the adjacent tooth. Repeat the procedure on the rest of the teeth. Turn each middle finger to use a fresh section of the floss. Don’t forget to gargle with water after flossing.
Dental flossing is easy… Try to make it a habit for an odour free healthy smile!

It is not difficult to maintain good oral hygiene; all you have to do is to follow these tips on oral hygiene. These tips are not difficult to follow; and you need not use any expensive equipment, potions or lotions to follow them.Bleeding gums is a problem most complaints dentists in London receive from their customers. However to cure this problem, you only have to examine the way you brush your teeth. Brushing away from the gums exposes the roots of the teeth; this is why it is better to use a gentle ‘up and down’ motion when brushing.

Frenzied side to side brushing motion also causes recession of the gums. Try to clean the areas between your teeth using floss; pieces of food found here only decays and will otherwise be detected only with toothache or gum disease. Even smoking is bad for gums as over time, it affects the deterioration of gums.

If you have sensitive teeth, I suggest you use specialized toothpastes to prevent sensitivity. Try rinsing with warm water if you have sensitive teeth and just resent rinsing with cold water.

Bad breath develops with poor oral hygiene. Though an antiseptic mouthwash improves your breath, drinking lots of water is an easier option as it prevents the mouth from drying. Also make it a point to clean the back of your tongue using your toothbrush and to dislodge pieces of food in your teeth to prevent it from rotting in your mouth.

Most important, visit your dentist regularly. If you have any problems, don’t hesitate to consult professionals as we are here to look after the single set of adult teeth you have to maintain throughout your life.

What do you think about bad breath? It’s a sensitive topic and many people are hurt if you point out that they have bad breath. So what can you do to treat your bad breath easily?Don’t wait for some one to point out your bad breath. All you have to do is a simple five minute test and you can detect it yourself. Trust your own nose. Just hold your palms together to cover your mouth and nose and exhale air into your palm; you will get the odor of your mouth. Please do this test, especially if your friends are turning their face or keeping a distance from you while talking.

Find out the underlying reasons for your bad breath and that’s the only way you can treat it. There are many factors including medical problems which can cause bad breath. One of the main reasons is lack of proper oral hygiene. Bacteria react with food particles in the plaque, resulting in bad breath. Some medical problems such as sinus conditions and diabetes can cause bad breath. Tonsillolith, cavities, gum problems, dirty dentures, dry mouth, and stinky food also cause bad breath. You can find many products to control bad breath but it’s a good idea to get yourself checked by your London dentist to root out the main cause of bad breath.

Do you regularly use a mouthwash? Active ingredients in a mouthwash may vary and each has its own uses. It doesn’t really control the bad breath but does help to mask the odor for a few minutes. But quite a few people still use mouthwash. So what does a mouthwash actually contain? Let’s find out!
• Most of the new generation mouthwashes contain sodium chlorite which is supposed to keep the mouth odorless for a maximum of four hours. But it’s not very effective in killing bacteria which causes the bad breath.
• Some mouthwashes contain sodium chlorite as well as zinc chloride. These are much more effective in controlling bad breath for up to 12 hours. But after that bacteria rebounds again to produce stale gases.
• A few other common ingredients used in mouthwashes are sodium bicarbonate, alcohol along with flavoring oils, sorbitol, urea, boric acid, propylene glycol, dchloride and chlorophylin, cinnamon, methyl salicylate, menthol, anethole, thyme, certified colors, cetylpyridinium and resorcinol. But there are is a very high chance that quite a few of the ingredients can cause allergic reaction and problems in adults so do be careful.
• Antimicrobials like cetylpyridinium chloride, sanguinarine, chlorhexidine, phenolic compounds can actually cut down the amount of bacteria in the mouth controlling bad breath.By now you must have realized that there’s no substitute for good oral hygiene and brushing. There are so many varieties in London stores that it can be confusing so try to use a mouthwash only on the recommendation of your London dentist who can get you a medicated mouthwash for your specific needs.