Toolkit for a Happy and Healthy Mouth

1. Brush your teeth twice daily with a fluoridated toothpaste, once in the morning and once before going to bed. Fluoridated toothpaste can be avoided where borewell water is being used especially in North India (endemic for highly fluoridated water)
2. Brushing for two minutes in a prescribed way is enough. Avoid overbrushing
3. Never use toothbrush with hard bristles, hard bristles abrade the tooth surface
4. If your tooth brush frays in less than three months, you are applying excessive pressure. Only a mild pressure is required for brushing.
5. Change your brush every three months
6. Floss at least twice a week to clean interdental area
7. Mouthwashes can never replace tooth brushing. Use mouthwash only on the advice of a dentist.
8. Cleaning your tongue is equally important part of oral hygiene routine as is toothbrushing.
9. Drink sufficient water at regular intervals (hourly half a glass would be good)
10. Visit your dentist every six months.

Dr Veenu Madaan Hans, is an Associate Professor, Dentistry in a reputed Government College.She is a periodontist with 16 years of experience in treating patients especially those with gum diseases. You can connect with her on Twitter at @dr_veenu.