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World Oral Health Day: Five tips a cosmetic dentist wants you to know. Dr Patel, the founder of Marylebone Smile Clinic, has revealed five things he wants people to know about taking care of their teeth. Brushing harder doesn't make for cleaner teeth Brushing too hard can wear down your enamel and even make your gums recede. The expert recommends gentle brushing for two minutes twice a day and if your toothbrush bristles start to fray after a few weeks, you are brushing too hard. Remember to floss It's important to floss or use interdental sticks daily to clean in-between the teeth. “Brushing only cleans about 60% of your teeth, the rest is in between, where food and plaque get stuck.” Your gums should never bleed when you brush or floss If they do, something could be wrong. ”Bleeding gums usually mean there's inflammation or a build-up of plaque, and it's a sign your gums need some TLC. If you keep brushing and flossing daily, the bleeding should stop within a few days, and if it doesn't, book in to see your dentist.” Dr Patel also noted that mouthwash can't really clean between your teeth. Whitening toothpaste can't change the colour of your teeth It can remove surface stains like coffee, tea and red wine but "it won't make your teeth any whiter than their natural colour”. Your diet affects your teeth more than you realise Fizzy drinks and sweets are bad for our teeth, but a lot of "healthy" snacks can cause damage too. ”Things like dried fruit, granola bars, fruit juice, and smoothies can all be packed with sugar and acids that attack your teeth.”
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