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General HealthTake care of your teeth
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Take care of your teeth

continued from page 2
When it comes to flossing, you need to do it once a day, ideally after your evening meal, to make sure you've got rid of plaque and any small pieces of food that can easily get trapped between teeth and under the gum line. The most effective way of flossing is to break off about 10 inches of floss, wind the ends round the middle finger of each hand, then pull floss tightly so there's about an inch of it between your fingers. Next, just gently push the floss between your teeth and, using a gentle sawing motion rub the sides of each tooth with the floss.

Some mouthwashes can be useful in helping to prevent decay as well as counteracting bad breath. Look out for the ones containing anti-plaque agents - triclosan or cetylpyridinium. Be aware that some mouthwashes contain alcohol - always read the label.

And lastly....
Be sure to see your dentist for regular dental check-ups. Apart from helping to control gum disease and tooth decay, a dentist will also keep a check on your overall oral health. Over 1,700 people die of oral cancer every year, a condition linked to smoking and drinking. By having regular check- ups, your dentist can pick up anything that he or she feels needs further investigation.

Further information: To find an NHS dentist in your area, call your local Health Authority, the number is in the Yellow Pages). If you're in Scotland you need the Health Board, in Northern Ireland, the Social Services Board.

For more oral health advice throughout September 2007 visit www.colgateohm.co.uk

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