Oral overhaul Clean up your dental regimen to optimise your tooth and gum health

Your teeth will serve you much longer if they’re well looked after, here’s how to take care of yours Dental floss gets into the spaces between teeth that your toothbrush can’t reach, so taking a few minutes to floss your teeth once a day gives your teeth

To ensure your teeth and gums stay in good working order, they need to be properly maintained. What does that involve? How you brush plays a big part. But, if you’re like most people, when you’re brushing you’re on autopilot. Are you doing a good job? Whether you are or not, it’s worth reviewing your dental care skills.

BE A FLOSSER HERE’S HOW

Wash your hands, then, slide a piece of dental floss about 45cm long between your teeth and move it up and down in a ‘C’ shape against each tooth surface and under the gum line. Use a fresh section of floss for each gap. Or, try a water flosser.

Cordless Select Water Flosser, $155, waterpik.com.au.

GENTLY BRUSHING YOUR TONGUE HELPS REDUCE A BUILD UP OF BACTERIA IN YOUR MOUTH

YOUR TONGUE’S TELLING TALES!

Everything you need to know

YOUR mouth has plenty to say about your health, according to dentists who explain the appearance of the tongue contains clues about potential ailments!

Read : Is your running nutrition playing havoc with your teeth?

Experts say a healthy tongue should be pain-free, pink and covered with small projections called papillae — and any changes may suggest problems with oral health, vitamin deficiencies, allergies or a weakened immune system.

Be on the lookout for the following persistent symptoms and consult a physician if needed.

WHITE PATCHES: The harmless fungus Candida lives naturally in and on the body. But an overgrowth — which may be triggered by antibiotics, chronic stress or an impaired immune system — will manifest as white deposits and may cause painful swallowing and a loss of taste and smell.

Read: Alzheimer’s disease: Does it begin in the mouth?

GLOSSY AND SMOOTH: The tongue’s tiny papillae can drop off due to deficiencies in iron and vitamin B12, which are vital for making red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout the body.

CANKER SORES: Small, painful lesions on the tongue, gums or cheeks could be signs of stress or injury, such as an accidental bite or brushing too hard.

Read: 4 Dental Treatments That Improve Your Appearance

STRAWBERRY TONGUE: A bright red tongue that appears swollen with pronounced papillae after eating could indicate a food allergy. But it also may be a side effect of strep throat, a bacterial infection. YELLOW PATCHES: Docs say brushing can help eliminate the mustard color if the unsightly hue is caused by a buildup of skin cells and bacteria. But it could also be a sign of gastritis, an inflammation of the lining of the stomach.