Last Updated on August 19, 2019 by team
There is no denying that our teeth, gums and mouth are important. Firstly, they are one of the things we tend to notice when meeting people. So it can have a positive or negative effect on our confidence depending on how you feel about your teeth.
Secondly, there is a link between poor oral hygiene and our overall health.
So to summarize, our teeth can be contributing factors to:
- Self confidence (good/bad)
- Worsening overall health (there is links between gum disease & heart disease!)
How To Look After Your Teeth In-between Seeing The Dentist
Now the key to good oral health is to be consistent with looking after your teeth every day. As dentists and dental professionals we are trained to look after peoples teeth. But, it is always best practice to continue the hard work in between each visit so you reduce the chance of requiring further work.
Imagine your teeth are like car. If you look after your car between each service and MOT, you are less likely to require further maintenance work. If you drive over pot holes at fast speeds, over rev your engine, harsh braking, letting the petrol tank run on fumes etc, over time you will start to cause damage to various parts of the car. This can lead to subsequent work being required to get your car up to the required safety standard.
Our oral health is exactly the same. You may not always be consistent with your daily habits, and you may not notice any immediate effects to this. But over a long period of time, your teeth can start to suffer. Did you know that the first sign of dental complications is not always pain. So you may feel fine, but a cavity could start to develop and is picked up at your next dental appointment.
To KEEP your teeth for as long as possible we have put together these short 5 points:
1. Brush Twice A Day
Brushing our teeth (with fluoride toothpaste) at least twice a day is a must. Our mouths will come into contact with many different types of bacteria on a daily basis. Bacteria if left on the surfaces lead to tooth decay. For 2 minutes each session, you can help fight the build up of bacteria. Brush your tongue as well as this is a haven for bacteria!
Ask us to show you how to brush effectively so your not missing any surfaces of your teeth.
2. Floss Once A Day
Brushing alone will not get all the areas of your teeth. The inter-dermal spaces (between the teeth) can and will trap food. Flossing once a day can remove food debris. Food debris will aid the growth of bacteria and is a contributing factor to tooth decay.
3. Use a mouthwash
If you are prone to getting cavities then you can also use a fluoride mouthwash. Mouthwash complements your brushing and flossing. It can help rinse food particles out help to get bits of plaque that remains after brushing and flossing. It also has the added benefit of helping bad breath
PLEASE NOTE: We advise you to use a mouthwash not straight after brushing your teeth (ideally at a different time in the day). Using a mouthwash straight away can wash the fluoride off your teeth (reducing the efficacy of the toothpaste used).
4. Build a routine
If you see your daily oral habit as a chore, then you will more than likely not stick to it. It doesn’t take a lot of time to complete and can help reduce your yearly dental bills. Kick start your day with a positive habit that sets you up for a good day!
5. Ask us for advice
There is lots of information on any subject on the world wide web which is easily accessible. We cannot all be experts in everything and it can be hard to digest information from any area your not 100% familiar with. We are a friendly team of trained professionals that are here to help you. Don’t be afraid to call us and ask any question (however small it may be).
If you are looking to find a new dentist, please do not hesitate to call us today…
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