At Advance Dental Clinic we’re always eager to encourage good oral hygiene habits and stand firmly by the mantra that prevention is better than cure. We highly recommend regular routine check-ups for adults and children and our dental team is always on hand to offer advice about maintaining good oral hygiene at home, choosing healthy foods and making healthy lifestyle choices. In addition to brushing twice daily, we also recommend flossing. Flossing involves using very fine dental tape, called floss, to clean parts of the mouth, which often can’t be reached with a toothbrush. Flossing is good for you because it gives you a more thorough clean and targets areas that are prone to bacteria collection, such as the gum line and the cracks between the teeth. Sometimes, flossing can take a little getting used to and if you find that you just get the hang of it, there may be alternatives. One method of cleaning we recommend is using inter-dental brushes. These tiny hand-held brushes are specifically designed to clean between the teeth; they have very fine bristles and they fit between the teeth to prevent plaque formation and staining. There are various sizes of inter-dental brush available and our dentists and hygienists can recommend brushes for you; they will also be happy to show you how to use the brushes and talk through the benefits with you. Good oral hygiene is really important for your oral and general health, as neglecting cleaning increases the risk of plaque development. Plaque is the main risk factor for decay and gum disease and it also contributes to bad breath (halitosis). If you would like advice about buying oral hygiene products, flossing and brushing techniques or boosting your oral health, please don’t hesitate to ask; our expert Essex dentist will be more than happy to help.