Top oral hygiene tips!
1. Proper brushing
This is one of the easiest steps to help your teeth keep clean. Use a tooth paste containing fluoride to help strengthen tooth enamel making it more resistant to decay. Try to brush at least twice a day to prevent acid buildup from the breakdown of food by bacteria.
2. Flossing
Flossing can help you remove food particles that brushing regularly cannot. We recommend flossing at least once a day.
3. Smoking
This is one of the biggest changes you can make to help your teeth. It will save you from oral cancer, gum disease and bone loss. Smoking also stains your teeth to give a yellow discolouration.
4. Limit sugary foods, fizzy drinks, coffee & alcohol
Sugar in your diet causes acid in your mouth which in turn causes tooth decay. Limit the number of acid attacks by having sugary foods and drinks just at mealtimes. Chewing sugar-free gum and drinking water after meals or snacks can also help to cancel out the acid more quickly. As well as causing decay, sugary fizzy drinks, fruit juices, sports drinks and wine can be acidic - which can also cause ‘dental erosion’. This is when the acid in food and drinks gradually wears away the hard enamel coating of the tooth. This may lead to the tooth becoming sensitive. Alcohol, coffee and tea can also cause discolouration and staining of the teeth.
5. Consume calcium & other vitamins
You need plenty of calcium for your teeth. It is essential for the teeth as well as your bones. Milk, yoghurt, green leafy vegetables (such as broccoli), cheese and other dairy products, almonds, canned salmon and sardines are high in calcium. You need Vitamin D to help absorb the calcium. Vitamin D is obtained from eggs, margarine, fatty fish such as salmon and moderate exposure to the sun.
6. Visit your hygienist & dentist
You should visit your dentist at least twice a year to have a full checkup and hygiene. This will check for any problems early on so they can be treated before they cause greater ones.
7. Use mouthwash
A mouthwash, in addition to daily brushing and flossing, can increase the cleanliness of your mouth. Antimicrobial mouth rinses reduce bacteria and plaque activity, which cause gingivitis and gum disease. Fluoride mouth rinses also help to reduce and prevent tooth decay. Mouthwashes should always be used at a different time to brushing your teeth.
8. Having a toothache or noticing other dental symptoms?
If you are having tooth and jaw pain make an appointment as soon as possible. Your dentist needs to diagnose the underlying cause and correct it before it turns into a greater problem.
9. Clean your tongue
Clean the surface of your tongue daily to remove bacteria that live on your tongue, These can contribute to bad breath (halitosis) and negatively affect your dental health.
