Preventative treatment

Brushing

  • You should brush your teeth at least twice a day.
  • You should use a soft toothbrush when brushing your teeth.
  • Circular brushing motion is recommended.
  • Every time you brush your teeth, brush them for at least 2 minutes.
  • It’s recommended to brush your teeth with fluoridated toothpaste.
  • Make sure you don’t rinse your mouth after you spit out after brushing.
  • The best times to brush your teeth are after breakfast and before bed.
  • Electric toothbrushes are often recommended if you find it difficult to clean off all the plaque with a manual toothbrush.

Extra Cleaning Aids

  • Floss your teeth once daily.
  • Do not use a sawing motion when flossing - scrape the floss up and down the surface of the tooth.
  • Superfloss is useful for flossing under bridges and retainers.
  • Pikster interdental brushes are useful for accessing larger triangular gaps between teeth.
  • Mouthwash can be useful in certain cases and will be recommended to you by your dentist.

Fluoride

  • Fluoride is important for preventing decay and remineralising teeth.
  • Some people will have access to fluoride through their water supply.
  • It is important to use fluoridated toothpaste.
  • Children should use low-fluoride toothpaste.
  • Some adults with high decay rates may need a higher concentration of fluoridated toothpaste.
  • Your dentist will usually apply fluoride at your routine check-ups.

Fissure Sealants

  • Fissure sealants are resin coatings applied to the biting surfaces of teeth to prevent them from decaying.
  • These are very effective for reducing decay rates.
  • Fissure Sealants have no out-of-pocket at Westfund Dental Care for Westfund members (subject to waiting periods and annual limits).
  • No damage to the natural tooth is caused by fissure sealants.

 

Australian Dental Association Fact Sheets

Brushing – Keeping your teeth clean and healthy

Diet and oral health – How eating affects teeth

Flossing – Why it’s essential for oral health

Pregnancy – Separating fact from fiction

The cost of sports drinks – Read the label

Snack attack – You are what you eat