1 Brush your teeth properly twice a day. Brushing your teeth thoroughly removes plaque from the surface before it hardens into calculus.

2 Use a fluoride toothpaste. Using a toothpaste with fluoride helps to prevent decay.

3 Floss your teeth daily. Flossing is the only way to remove plaque from in between your teeth that a toothbrush can’t reach.

4 Use a mouth rinse. An antimicrobial mouth rinse can provide extra help in controlling plaque. Listerine is a good choice and has been approved by the British Dental Association.

5 Visit your dentist for regular check ups. Visiting your dentist on a regular basis is the best way to make sure that your teeth and gums stay healthy.