‘Unfortunately, since most of us tend to start out stronger and then ease off, that means one or two sections of your mouth end up getting a more thorough cleansing,’ says dentist Lou Graham.

Solve the problem by simply charting a different course in your mouth each time you brush. And to really go for the gold (or white), swap your manual toothbrush for an electric model. ‘They pulse and oscillate up to 40 000 times per minute,’ he says, ‘which makes them much better at removing plaque and bacteria.’

But oral hygiene means more than pristine pearly whites – teeth and gums are an indicator of your body’s wellbeing. Evidence links gum disease to everything from diabetes to a 30% higher chance of heart problems. Gum disease is an indicator of overall poor health, and these three warning signs should never be ignored:

1 Blood On Your Toothbrush
A sign of gum disease that is too often ignored. If you see any sign of blood, make and appointment with your dentist today.

2 Persistent Ulcers
These can be a sign of oral cancer, which affects 20% more people now than it did 30 years ago. Get it checked out.

3 Pain
Whether in your teeth or your whole jaw, don’t leave it until it gets worse. It may be a sign of tooth decay or teeth grinding, also known as bruxism.

Words: Dailyfix
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