F I R S T

E V E R

E B O O K

K I R S T Y M I C H E L L E S H A W

TOP 3 TIPS

TO KEEP YOUR SMILE

Firstly, here is a huge ‘SHOUT OUT TO YOU’ From your teeth! Boy are they going to love you for learning how to look after them This little E-Book contains the top threetips discussed at The Lounge (The DentalHygiene Lounge, a little surgery that Iopened back in 2014, check out thefacebook page here) (You’l have to lol I’m writing thisbook on my phone whilst travelling toThailand; bear with me turns into a bearemoji) So let’s get to it!

Straight up! You want to keep your teeth, hell yeah!! Then you are reading the right

book. First things first,

THEY ARE YOUR RESPONSIBILITY

These are your teeth we are talkingabout! Reading is great, BUT you will have somehomework to do... You’ll have to actually put in alittle effort yourself. You would be surprised how

many people have an electric toothbrush anddon’t use it..

Are you guilty of this? I mean people have these brushes for years,

wrapped in the box at home and not using themIt’s literally like having a hoover at home and using

a sweeping brush!

YES it’s loud, YES it’s annoying to have to charge,

YES it hurts your gums and makes them bleed.. but (and here’s a big but)

THEY ARE AWSOME!

As a dental hygienist I can confidently use amanual toothbrush, However it’s an electric

toothbrush that I use (Actually a little upset that it’s not tucked in the

overhead compartment and I have to use amanual toothbrush in a few hours )

However, these are only the tools for the job, it's

how we use these 'tools' that makes thedifference!

Everyone wants a great smile, agree? (not everyone wants Love Island teeth,

totally understandable ) But teeth that are

- CLEAN - HEALTHY - STRONG Now that’s the aim!

LESS PLAQUE = LESS STAIN MEANING WHITER TEETH

Now do I have your attention?

So here are my top tips for a healthysmile

Number

BRUSH YOUR TEETH EFFECTIVLEY

Plaque will begin to stick to the surfaceof your enamel within 60 seconds of

toothbrushing

Now I need your imaginative skills here

I would like you to imagine plaque as a glue. This glue (plaque) wants to bind stain and

bacteria to your enamel surface! This clearplaque covers ALL surfaces of your teeth.

Now imagine this plaque is not clear and has a

colour (any colour, you can choose that) It’s your job toremove this plaque every time that you brush.

It is difficult, I had to go to university to learn howto brush my teeth, I appreciate not everyone is

that exited about teeth.

So to help there are clever little things calleddisclosing tablets. These are chewed and rinsedout and they stain any plaque pink/blue/purple

depending on what brand you buy. PLEASE don’t do this before

a night out! Unless you wantblue/purple lips then goahead and stain away

As mentioned above, toothbrushes are only

tools to HELP get the job done!

Technique is critical to ensure thoroughtoothbrushing for complete plaque removal.

Any plaque left behind is a breeding ground

for bacteria to thrive and cause harm.

Check out my social media video's for somedemonstrations on toothbrushing, better yet book

an appointment for a 1-2-1 toothbrushdemonstration at the surgery.

Number USE A GOOD TOOTHPASTE

Please no

whitening toothpastes Have you actually used one that

has worked?

Instead focus on using atoothpaste that will help

remove plaque Thus keeping your

teeth stain free

So what makes a ‘good toothpaste’

Without getting too geeky and into the science you need a toothpaste that you

- Like the flavour of

- Is suitable for your needs - Does the job

Fluoride is a key ingredient in toothpaste.

Yes before you shout at me it is toxic BUTonly in vast amounts.

Many patients dislike the use of fluoride due tothe number of published studies on its dangers. Fluoride has been linked to many health issues.However so has alcohol and the same patients

who refuse to use fluoride will happily drinkalcohol.. one of the most dangerous substances

that we can consume.

Fluoride strengthens your enamel

It is a ‘super ingredient’ in the fight against

dental disease (in my opinion)

Sure you can decide not to use it however Iwould strongly suggest you end your

relationship with sugar at the same time toprotect your teeth

All in all toothpastes are there to help strengthen

and remineralise your enamel. The No1 rule when toothbrushing is

TO LEAVE IT THERE

It’s like getting all ready for a big night out,

putting on your best perfume/aftershave andjumping back in the shower to rinse it all off

Please

You pay good money for your toothpaste so

it's important to use it correctly

Place a Pea sized amount of toothpaste

your toothbrush (1/2 a pea for children over 6 and

a smear for children under 6)

If you really need/want to use a mouthwashuse this in the middle of the day/after lunch..

Yes it contains all the ingredients to freshen

your breath but they are in much lessconcentration

than in your toothpaste.

Brush your teeth Spit out and don’t rinse No water No Mouthwash

Number

CLEAN IN-BETWEEN

Toothbrushing will clean 60% of yourtooth surface.

If you take the palms of your hands thisis equivalent to the area of your tooth

surface that’s huge..

Now imagine only cleaning 60% or a

and one

Just because you can't feel the spaces betweenyour teeth does not mean bacteria won’t find it’s

way in there.

Now you have probably heard of floss, you mayeven have seen the little tiny brushes with

different coloured handles, these were created toclean the space between your teeth, little mini

toothbrushes if you will.

Yes again they are a pain to use, they often - Make your gums bleed

- Sore to use - Bend & break

And are really an optional extra right? No way,sorry guys YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE TO

LEARN TO CLEAN BETWEEN!

Really, would you really take a shower, and just

not bother with 40% of your body? Clean means clean, you have to remove all of

that ‘invisible plaque remember’

Sure it’s hard to remember and it’s a hassle butso is everything until you persevere and take the

time to learn any new skill. I promise; once you master the art of

flossing/using interdental brushes correctly yourteeth will feel cleaner than they ever have before!

(unless you are visiting me for a scale & polish)

#shameless #love my job

I want to personally thank you for taking

the time to read this little EBook

I genuinely hope that you have learnt afew things.

If you have then please recommend it to

family & friends and help me to helpmore people to improve their smile &

keep their teeth & gums healthy. Thank you in advance

Any queries please feel free to PM me on

social media or email me via enquiries@thedentalhygienelounge.co.uk

visit www.thedentalhygienelounge.co.uk

or to book an appointment call the

reception team on 01639 644 507

36 Victoria Gardens Neath, Swansea

South Wales SA11 3BH