Dental care learning
Simple, practical guidance from our clinic in Harare — daily habits, safe home remedies, the signs that need a dentist, and why every six months matters.
Daily routine
Two minutes, soft bristles, 45° angle to the gum. Fluoride toothpaste, and don't rinse straight after — let the fluoride stay.
Floss or interdental brushes once a day. Brushing alone misses about 35% of each tooth surface.
After citrus, soda or vomiting, rinse with water and wait 30 minutes before brushing to protect softened enamel.
Limit sugary sipping through the day, drink water after meals, and wear a night guard if you grind your teeth.
Home remedies
½ teaspoon salt in a cup of warm water. Eases sore gums, ulcers and post-extraction discomfort.
10 minutes on, 10 minutes off against the cheek for swelling or after a knock to the mouth.
A drop on cotton wool against a sore tooth gives short-term relief. It numbs pain — it does not treat the cause.
Occasional gentle use helps surface stains. Daily scrubbing wears enamel down, so keep it rare.
Unsweetened, after meals. Helps wash away food debris and reduces bacterial acid.
Apples, carrots and celery stimulate saliva — your mouth's natural cleaning system.
Home remedies calm symptoms — they never cure decay, infection or gum disease. If pain returns, book a review.
When to get a review
Every six months
Decay and gum disease are painless at the start. A review finds them while treatment is small and affordable.
Hardened tartar can't be brushed off. Scaling and polishing every 6 months keeps gums firm and breath fresh.
Your dentist checks tongue, cheeks and throat tissue — early detection changes outcomes dramatically.
Two check-ups a year cost far less than one root canal, crown or emergency extraction.
Care by age
Wipe gums from birth; first dental visit by age 1 or when the first tooth appears. Brush with a smear of fluoride paste.
Supervise brushing to age 7–8. Ask about fluoride varnish, sealants and an orthodontic assessment around age 7.
Two reviews a year, X-rays as advised, and a night guard if you clench. Tell us about pregnancy, diabetes or new medication.
Watch for dry mouth, root decay and denture fit. Gum care matters more than ever as tissue thins.
Talk to Dr Bete about your teeth — cleaning, check-ups, whitening or braces.