RUSH ASICS

Cleaning
Brushing is one of the most effective ways of removing plaque from the exposed surfaces of your teeth. A sticky, yellow layer, interspersed with food particles and bacteria, plaque is one of the most prominent causes for dental problems. Says Dr Neeraj Verma, senior consultant, dental surgery, Apollo Hospital, Delhi, 8220;One develops a fresh layer of plaque every eight hours. Now it8217;s impossible to brush your teeth that frequently but cleaning them twice a day is a must. Plaque collects faster if the intake of carbohydrates is more. These substances combine with plaque to form an acid, which leads to swollen gums in adults and tooth decay in kids.8221;
Brushing at night is an absolute must. 8220;Brushing in the morning mainly freshens you up. During the day, our mouth is mostly in use. Night is the time when bacteria can attack our teeth and gums the most as there is no activity and they get enough time and space to multiply and cause damage,8221; says Mumbai-based dentist Dr Homi F. Irani.
How long should you brush? Most people do not brush for more than 30-40 seconds. That8217;s as good as a formality. 8220;A thorough session of brushing should last for at least two to three minutes,8221; says Delhi-based dentist Dr Priyanka Mittal. Instead of vigorous brushing with a stiff-bristle toothbrush, one must go for gentle, circular, massaging movements with a soft-bristle toothbrush.

Flossing
Brushing takes care of the exposed areas of your denture, but daily flossing is a must to deal with the interproximal areas places in between your teeth and the area below the gumline. It is impossible for the brush to reach those places. 8220;Flossing accounts for almost 40 per cent of teeth and gum cleaning. It must be usually done before brushing so that fluoride from the toothpaste can seep in between your teeth better and the bacteria that8217;s removed between your teeth also gets washed away,8221; adds Mittal.

Mint fresh
According to a new study by the American Association for Dental Research, brushing twice a day with antibacterial toothpaste and using a toothbrush with a built-in tongue scraper can eliminate chronic bad breath to a large extent. Chronic bad breath, or halitosis, is often caused by the breakdown of bacteria in the mouth, producing foul-smelling compounds. Also teeth having extensive untreated decay can trap enough debris that they become the source of foul odours. Other causes of bad breath are inflamed tonsils, dry mouth, sinusitis and inflamed throat. Even diabetes can lead to a foul breath. If you thought mouth fresheners are doing much good to your gums, think again. Experts insist they have a temporary impact and very frequent use can make matters worse. 8220;Most of them have anti-bacterial elements. They may work well in the beginning but excessive use of any kind of antibiotic compound increases the resistance power of these bacteria, which helps them multiply,8221; says Dr Verma. nbsp;

Watch your diet
Experts blame the changing food habits for the rise in dental problems. Says Dr Irani, 8220;Polished foods like burgers and sandwiches call for very little chewing. The rather rough surfaces of fruits, salads and vegetables, on the other hand, act as a natural brush and their fibre content require extensive chewing, which means a lot of exercise for our teeth and gums.8221; copy;