I am certain that most people have their own share of childhood tooth stories. This is usually because parents have their own, different ways of getting their children to take care of their teeth and visit the dentist. These exaggerated stories of tooth fairies promise of a sticker from the dentist often sticks with us all the way through to adulthood.

There Of course encouraging children to look after their dental hygiene is a good thing and creating a good habit at an early age is beneficial. Teaching youngsters how to brush their teeth, floss and use mouthwash will hopefully enable them to have clean, strong, plaque free teeth for as long as possible.

It is also important to teach children that there is a proper way to brush your teeth. Simply grabbing a brush and scrubbing the way is not enough and often causes more harm than good. Therefore it is important to brush your teeth at least two times a day and preferably after your meals. You should aim to brush all areas of your teeth from left to right, top to bottom and back to front. Most dentists now recommend that you use a horizontal, left to right action to ensure that you do not push your gum line back and away your teeth, exposing the root.

If you use an electric toothbrush, the rapid vibration and oscillation of the bristles will clean your teeth incredibly well without damaging your guns and without the need for vigorous scrubbing.

Try not to use candy or mints to hide the odour of food you have eaten throughout the day. Most candy and mints is jam-packed full of teeth which as you know can be incredibly harmful to the protective enamel coating on your teeth. Too much sugar can completely remove this enamel coated exposing your teeth to a build up of plaque and an increase in cavities. Instead try using a sugar-free dental gum or an alcohol free mouth wash to freshen your breath.

Finally it is crucial that you include flossing into your dental hygiene routine. Brushing will only clean approximately 60% of your tooth surface, so you need the flossing action to get in between each individual tooth to ensure a thorough clean. Your dentist will be able to advise you on which dental floss is suitable for you and whilst you are there why not ask them for a demonstration of a good flossing technique.

f you follow the above tips on personal dental care and go further than just brushing your teeth, then you will have strong, clean and gleaming teeth.