Keep your Teeth Healthy

Keep teeth healthy

Oral hygiene is about more than just keeping your teeth clean, it is about keeping your teeth, mouth and gums healthy. We understand that like many aspects of health there area lot of contradicting messages out there about how best to do this. Fads are constantly popping up in newspapers and health magazines, but the key to keeping your teeth healthy really is very simple. Follow our quick tips to get your mouth healthy:

Brush Regularly

• Brush for two minutes twice a day.

• Replace your toothbrush every 3 months.

• Floss daily.

• Avoid rinsing with water or mouthwash.

This is one of the most effective ways of keeping your teeth healthy. Using a fluoride toothpaste, brush in a circular motion for a minimum of two minutes, twice a day. Before bed is the most important time to brush your teeth in order to remove any stains, sugar or excess acid that have built up over the course of the day. The other time to brush is completely up to you! The only thing to consider is that it is best to wait an hour after eating before brushing.

Brushing immediately after eating can damage your teeth, especially if you have been eating fruit, drinking fizzy drinks or consuming anything that is high in acid. This is because the enamel on your teeth is softened and can then be worn away by brushing.

As well as regular brushing, a great way to keep your teeth healthy is to:

Keep sugary snacks to mealtimes OR eat them all in one go.

Sugary snacks are bad for your teeth because bacteria on your teeth, known as plaque, reacts with the sugar to create acid. As you eat or drink, the sugar washes all over the inside of your mouth and into some very hard to reach places.

Over time, too much sugar in your diet can cause issues such as:

• Gum Disease

• Cavities

• Tooth decay

• Tooth loss

So what can you do to stop this? Or at least reduce the risk?

• Avoid food and drinks that contain added sugar

• Drink water between meals

• Limit snacking as much as possible

And if you’ve got an overly sweet tooth and can’t resist those little treats, the best thing to do is eat them all at once. By reducing the amount of time your teeth are in contact with sugar, you reduce the amount of corrosive acid produced.

As well as these daily steps, it is important for you to:

Visit the dentist on a regular basis.

It is important for everyone to visit the dentist regularly, how often varies from person to person, but your dentist will advise you on how often is right for you. By making regular visits, your dentist can identify any potential problems that may develop into something more serious and stop them in their tracks!

They can also advise you on the best way to take care of your teeth, mouth and gums resulting in a healthier, happier you.