Inculcate oral hygiene habits in your children at the outset, so they don't suffer from tooth problems later on.

For some people, brushing their teeth is such a chore, and sticking to healthy oral habits is difficult. This is because we as adults know we should be brushing our teeth regularly, but if these habits weren't drilled into us as children, we find it difficult to incorporate them now. It is thus essential that you inculcate healthy oral habits in your children at the outset. Here's what you, and your children, should know about oral hygiene.

Proper brushing

Removing plaque is essential to good dental health. If plaque is allowed to remain on the teeth for 24 to 48 hours, it can harden into calculus, which can lead to gum disease and possible tooth loss. Once plaque forms into calculus, only your hygienist or dentist can remove it.

Proper brushing includes:

Regular brushing

Many of us brush our teeth in the mornings, and skip brushing them at night. If you must brush your teeth just once a day, it is far, far more essential you brush them at night. When we sleep, our mouths produce less saliva to combat bacteria, and so our teeth are more vulnerable. It's best to brush twice a day: at night before going to bed, and in the morning, after breakfast - so your mouth remains clean until your next meal.

Remember though that if plaque is allowed to remain on the teeth for over 24 hours, it hardens into a substance called calculus, which leads to tooth loss and gum disease if left untreated. Once calculus forms, it can be removed only by a dentist - brushing will not remove it.

Time spent

Many of us spend just a few seconds brushing our teeth. All this really achieves is a feeling of freshness because of the toothpaste - chewing a mint could have done the job as well! You haven't really cleaned your teeth at all. Aim to spend at least three to five minutes brushing your teeth.

Toothbrush

Use a toothbrush with soft bristles. Harder bristles can cause damage to the enamel. Although some dentists recommend using an electric toothbrush, a manual toothbrush works just as well.

Gums

Make sure you massage your gums well when brushing your teeth. Focus on your gums as much as you would on your teeth to stimulate them and help prevent gum disease.

Floss

Although you may brush your teeth for three minutes twice a day, your brush is still unable to remove miniscule particles between your teeth. This can only be removed by flossing. Floss your teeth once a day, preferably at night.

Tongue

Clean your tongue every time you brush your teeth. Bad breath is caused not just by the presence of plaque/bacteria on your teeth, but also by the tongue. When cleaning your tongue, try and clean as far back as possible, without gagging.

Mouthwash

If you brush your teeth regularly and properly, you don't really need to use mouthwash. However, if you suffer from bad breath, gargle with mouthwash every morning, after brushing your teeth.