10 August 2023
5 tips for maintaining your oral hygiene
Maintaining good oral hygiene is key to keeping your teeth healthy and ensuring that you have a perfect smile. Although your dentist plays an essential role in looking after your teeth, good oral hygiene starts with you. So what can you do to help look after your teeth and keep them in tip top condition? Here are 5 tips from the experts here at Ibbott&Co Dental Practice.
1. Brush correctly
Brushing your teeth correctly on a daily basis is one of the main defences in the battle against tooth decay. It is advised that you brush at least twice a day, and for a minimum of two minutes each time. While brushing, try to ensure that the brush is able to reach every surface of the teeth as well as getting into any gaps between the teeth.
Be sure to use a fluoride toothpaste, as this will offer the most protection to your teeth and help reduce the damage caused by acids. It is also best not to rinse your mouth immediately after brushing, as this can actually eliminate much of the benefits offered by the fluoride. If you use a mouthwash, try to leave at least half an hour after brushing before you use it, or even use it at a different time of day.
2. Use interdentals or floss
It is highly recommended to complement your brushing regime with flossing or interdental brushes for increased effectiveness. As well as protecting your teeth, this can also reduce the risk of gum disease – which as well as being a problem in and of itself is also now known to be linked to many other health problems.
It is worth noting that floss, interdental brushes and similar devices are not just for those with crooked teeth and awkward gaps either – the latest research shows that this can be of great benefit to everybody and is especially important for cleaning around the back teeth. If you haven’t added it to your daily routine yet, we strongly recommend that you consider introducing this extra step. And if you need more advice, don’t be afraid to discuss it with your dentist
3. Be snack aware
In a perfect world, we would not eat at all between meals – but this is neither practical nor possible for most people. However, care can still be taken when it comes to the timing of snacks, as well as what to eat and what to avoid. Consuming sweets or other products with a high sugar content increases the exposure of your teeth to acid, so these are best avoided altogether or consumed at mealtimes. However, it is not just sugary snacks that can promote decay – starchy savoury snacks such as crisps and bread can leave residue in the teeth that harbours bacteria and also contributes to increased acid attack. If you do consume such snacks, consider giving your teeth a brush afterwards, or even rinsing your mouth with water.
On the other hand some snacks offer benefits to the teeth. Cheese, for example, can help to stimulate saliva which reduces acid levels, whilst fresh, crunchy vegetables such as raw carrot or celery actually act as a natural form of toothbrush.
4. Watch the pops
As well as being conscious of the snacks we consume, it is also important to think about what we drink. Many carbonated soft drinks or ‘pops’ contain extremely high levels of sugar and are best avoided if possible. However, they are not the only offenders – many sports drinks also have high sugar levels and can be equally damaging to the teeth. Wherever possible, try to use sugar free or low sugar alternatives and avoid frequent or excess consumption.
5. Visit the dentist regularly
Finally, make sure you visit your dentist regularly – typically twice a year or at the frequency that your dentist recommends. Prevention is always better than cure and your dentist is able to identify any problems at the earliest opportunity and help to eliminate or manage them.
Dentists are also able to look for signs of gum disease that may be invisible to the untrained eye, as well as spotting early indicators of oral cancer. The dentist can also refer you to the dental hygienist who can help to give your teeth a thorough clean, as well as offer personalised advice on how to best keep your teeth clean and healthy.
To enquire about becoming a member of the award winning Field House Dental Practice in Wadhurst now or to book an appointment, call now on 01892 782300. Alternatively, click here to contact us online.
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