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Self-help techniques for improved oral health

Wednesday, August 12th, 2020

With many dental practices running a reduced service at the moment, dentists are urging patients to take good care of their teeth and gums. The Coronavirus lockdown has caused significant backlogs, and many dental teams are working to reorganise delayed and cancelled appointments before resuming routine services, such as check-ups. In the absence of the widespread availability of dental examinations, here are some self-help techniques you can utilise to keep your smile in check. 

Oral hygiene

Good oral hygiene is the most effective way to keep dental disease at bay and reduce the risk of ailments and unpleasant symptoms such as toothache, bleeding gums and infections. Ideally, your daily oral hygiene regime should include twice-daily brushing using fluoride toothpaste and daily flossing or interdental brushing. Clean your teeth for at least two minutes each morning and evening, and try and avoid brushing within 45 minutes of eating or drinking. When you brush, apply toothpaste to the bristles and gently guide the brush around your teeth, angling the head to reach right into the corners and covering every surface of each individual tooth. Try and resist the temptation to brush hard. If you brush too firmly, this can damage the enamel. It’s also beneficial to avoid rinsing after brushing to prevent removing fluoride from the tooth surface. Interdental cleaning using a small hand-held brush or floss is important for targeting areas that cannot be reached with a toothbrush. After cleaning your teeth, brush your tongue with your toothbrush or use a tongue scraper. This will help to remove bacteria and food debris and lower the risk of bad breath (halitosis).

Diet

Your diet has an essential role to play if you’re on a mission to protect your teeth and gums. While many foods, for example, dairy products, nuts, seeds and leafy green vegetables, are good for your teeth because they contain calcium, some can be harmful. Foods that contain a lot of sugar and acidic foods and drinks carry a risk of decay and gum disease. As well as keeping an eye on what you eat, it’s critical to think about when you eat. This is because bacteria release acids when they feed. These acids attack and weaken the tooth enamel temporarily, and the teeth can only withstand a limited number of acid attacks. Aim to stick to three main meals and avoid grazing. If you snack all day, your enamel will not get chance to recover, and it may become worn and weak. 

Dental care

It might not be possible to see a dentist every 6-12 months at the moment, but it’s vital to seek advice if you do have any concerns about your dental health. Contact your dentist if you have prolonged periods of toothache or severe pain, or you notice blood when you brush your teeth. Bleeding, sore and swollen gums are symptomatic of gum disease, while pain, fever, inflammation and tenderness can be linked to dental infections. Your dentist will be able to recommend pain relief options, and they can also book an appointment for you if you need immediate treatment. 

Summary

There are several very simple steps you can take to improve your dental health and reduce the risk of oral health problems. Twice-daily brushing, eating well and seeking advice if you notice unusual symptoms will stand you in good stead to avoid dental dilemmas. 

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Five Habits to Pick Up For Better Dental Hygiene

Friday, July 21st, 2017

shutterstock_106092377Good dental hygiene is your best way of fighting oral disease. If you’d like to improve your dental hygiene regime, here are 5 good habits to pick up:

  • Brush twice a day: when you brush your teeth, you remove bacteria and food debris from your mouth, and this helps to prevent the formation of plaque. Plaque is the most significant cause of decay ad gum disease. For the best results, you should brush twice a day, every day.
  • Set a timer: you may think that you’re doing a good job when it comes to brushing, but have you ever stopped to check that you’re brushing for long enough? Setting a timer is a great way of making sure that you brush for the recommended 2-minute period every time.
  • Floss: flossing is really important because it cleans the parts of your mouth that you can’t reach with a brush. When you floss, you can dislodge debris and bacteria from the tiny cracks between your teeth, reducing the risk of plaque formation.
  • Use fluoride toothpaste: fluoride is a mineral, which has benefits for your oral health because it helps to protect your enamel.
  • Swap your toothbrush: if you’ve been using the same toothbrush for as long as you can remember, it’s time to invest in a new brush or brush head if you have an electric toothbrush. Ideally, you should swap your brush every 3-4 months.

If you’re keen to brush up on dental hygiene, we’re here to help, so don’t hesitate to get in touch if you need advice or brushing or flossing tips.

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How important is it to clean between the gaps of teeth?

Friday, June 30th, 2017

shutterstock_402210988Most people know that it’s important to clean the teeth twice a day. Although brushing is really effective, it only cleans part of your mouth. This is why we strongly recommend cleaning between the teeth.

The importance of cleaning between the teeth

When you brush your teeth, you clean away bacteria and food debris from the biting surfaces and the areas of the teeth you can access with a brush, but it’s not possible to get the brush head into every area of the mouth. It’s usually very difficult to clean between the teeth because the brush head is too large to fit between the gaps. This is when flossing and interdental brushing come in useful.

Flossing

Flossing is a popular means of cleaning the gaps between the teeth. It involves passing a thin piece of tape, called floss, between the teeth. Flossing displaces trapped bits of food and bacteria from those narrow cracks, reducing the risk of plaque formation. It can also help to prevent staining in areas that you can’t polish with your toothbrush. When you’re flossing, always be gentle, and never tug at the tape. If you pull too hard, this can hurt your gums.

Interdental brushing

Interdental brushes are specially designed, small hand-held brushes, which target the cracks between the teeth. There are various different sizes and thicknesses to choose from, and your dentist or hygienist can help you to choose the right brush for you and give you a demonstration to show you how to use your interdental brushes.

Brushing is really important for keeping dental diseases at bay, but don’t underestimate the importance of cleaning the cracks between your teeth. If you do this, you’ll achieve a much more thorough clean and you can reduce your risk of decay and gum disease by preventing plaque formation.

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Five Reasons to Book a Hygiene Treatment today

Wednesday, May 24th, 2017

shutterstock_246260737Are you looking for a sure-fire way to boost your oral health? If so, we strongly recommend booking a hygiene treatment today! Here are five reasons why this is a great idea:

  1. Clean, fresh breath: hygienists use powerful cleaning techniques, which banish plaque and tartar, putting a stop to bad breath and giving your mouth a lovely clean, fresh feeling.
  2. Reduced risk of decay: plaque is the leading cause of dental decay. If you struggle to remove plaque with a toothbrush, your hygienist can help. We have intensive treatments that clean the mouth thoroughly, preventing the build-up of plaque, as well as removing existing traces.
  3. Lower gum disease risk: plaque is also a major risk factor for gum disease. When you see your hygienist, they will cleanse your mouth, and target problems areas on the tooth surfaces, the gum line and the gums themselves. Seeing a dentist and a hygienist on a regular basis is likely to reduce your risk of dental disease dramatically.
  4. Brighter smiles: when you brush at home, there’s a limit to how much you can do and it can be tough to prevent staining and discolouration. Hygiene treatments are much more effective and they can remove surface stains, giving you a lighter and brighter smile.
  5. Increased confidence: whether you suffer from bad breath or you’re conscious of your discoloured teeth, a trip to the hygienist can provide you with a much-needed confidence boost.

To book a session with our excellent hygienists, call today or bob in if you’re passing.

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Five Tips to Improve Your Hygiene Routine

Wednesday, May 10th, 2017

shutterstock_528465388If you’re keen to steer clear of decay and keep gum disease at bay, a good oral hygiene routine is a must. If you’re not sure if you’re doing enough at home, here are 5 top tips to improve your daily regime:

  1. Brush twice a day, every day: do you ever have days when you can’t be bothered to brush your teeth and all you want to do is fall into bed? If so, try and find the energy to stay up 2 minutes longer and your teeth and gums will thank you forever. It’s really important to brush your teeth twice a day, every day. It only takes 2 minutes to make a massive difference to your oral health.
  2. Set a timer: many people don’t spend long enough cleaning their teeth, and setting a timer is an easy way to make sure you’re doing a thorough job. If you don’t have a brush with a timer, you can set an alarm on your phone or even brush along to a song.
  3. Use fluoride toothpaste: fluoride is a mineral, which helps to protect the enamel and reduce the risk of decay. Using fluoride toothpaste can help to strengthen your teeth. When you’ve brushed, don’t rinse, as this will wash the fluoride away.
  4. Brush gently: It’s understandable to assume that the harder you brush, the better the job. However, this isn’t the case when it comes to your teeth. If you brush too aggressively, you can wear away your tooth enamel, increasing the risk of sensitivity and cavities.
  5. Floss: brushing is really important for good oral health, but you can’t possibly reach every part of your mouth with a toothbrush. Flossing is a way of targeting areas that can’t be cleaned with a brush, such as the cracks between your teeth. Try and floss once a day.

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Four Steps To Fresher Breath

Thursday, April 20th, 2017

shutterstock_552265822Bad breath is not just a dental health issue, it can also cause people to feel embarrassed and ashamed. If you suffer from bad breath, it can knock your confidence and make you feel very uncomfortable in certain situations. If you long for fresher breath, follow these four simple steps:

  1. Focus on dental hygiene: the best way to beat bad breath is to adopt a good daily oral hygiene routine. You should brush twice a day for at least 2 minutes each time using fluoride toothpaste. It also helps to floss daily.
  2. Clean your tongue: many people assume that they only need to clean their teeth, but it’s actually hugely beneficial to brush your tongue too. Many cases of bad breath are associated with bacteria, which gathers on the tongue and releases odorous gases. You can use your normal toothbrush or buy a tongue scraper from a chemist or your dental practice.
  3. Chew gum: many people find that they get bad breath after eating and drinking and chewing gum can help to banish this issue. Make sure you choose sugar-free gum, and chew for 1-2 minutes after eating. This will help to freshen your breath and reduce your risk of decay, as chewing stimulates saliva production. This cleanses your mouth and reduces acidity.
  4. See your dental hygienist: we all know that it’s essential to see our dentist every 6-9 months, but when was the last time you booked a session with the dental hygienist? If you’re prone to bad breath, this is a great idea. Hygienists are experts in oral hygiene, and they will tackle stubborn plaque and tartar deposits, giving you healthy, bright teeth and clean, fresh breath.

If you’re worried about bad breath, don’t struggle in silence. We are here to help, so give us a call today!

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Five Tooth Brushing Tips for a Fresher Mouth

Tuesday, March 28th, 2017

shutterstock_447120436There’s nothing better than that fresh feeling you get when you’ve cleaned your teeth and you’ve got a lovely sparkling smile. If you’re after a fresher, cleaner mouth and a bright, beautiful smile, here are five brushing tips to take on board:

  1. Brush for 2 minutes: when you clean your teeth, do you wiggle the brush around and hope for the best? If so, you’re probably not doing the thorough job your teeth require. Spend at least 2 minutes brushing your teeth twice a day. If you don’t have a brush with a timer, you can set one on your phone or brush along to a song.
  2. Use a brush with a small head: if you find it tough to reach right into the corners of the mouth with your toothbrush, it may be because the brush head is too big. If you have brush with a small head, you can clean the corners much more effectively.
  3. Brush gently: you may think that the harder you brush, the better; however, this is not the case. If you brush very vigorously, you can actually do more harm than good. This is because brushing firmly can damage your enamel.
  4. Floss: flossing is important because it cleans that parts of the mouth that are commonly missed when you brush, such as the tiny gaps between your teeth.
  5. Brush your tongue: your tongue tends to attract bacteria, and most cases of bad breath are linked to bacteria lurking around the back of the tongue. When these bacteria feed, they release acids, which have an unpleasant odour. When you’ve finished brushing your teeth, clean your tongue with a brush or a tongue scraper.

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Five Things You Can Do a Day To Keep Your Teeth Healthy

Friday, March 17th, 2017

shutterstock_266494727If you’re keen to keep your smile in tip-top condition, there are plenty of very simple steps you can take. Here are just 5 things you can do every day to keep your teeth looking terrific.

  1. Brush your teeth twice a day: brushing is the best way to keep your mouth clean, and remove troublesome bacteria and bits of leftover food. Take 2 minutes every morning and evening to give your teeth a thorough clean.
  2. Use fluoride toothpaste: fluoride is a mineral, which is proven to protect and strengthen the enamel. When you brush your teeth, use fluoride toothpaste, and don’t rinse immediately after brushing, as this will wash the fluoride away.
  3. Floss: flossing daily helps to prevent plaque formation. When you brush, there are certain parts of the mouth, which you may not be able to reach. This is where flossing comes in handy. Use dental floss to clean the gum line, and the cracks between the teeth.
  4. Drink plenty of water: drinking water has a host of health benefits, and it can be hugely beneficial for your mouth. Drinking water helps to prevent dry mouth, and it can also help you to wash away food debris and neutralise acids in your mouth after eating.
  5. Chew sugar-free gum: chewing sugar-free gum for a couple of minutes after eating helps to reduce the risk of cavities. Chewing stimulates the release of saliva, and this helps to get rid of leftover food particles, cleanse the mouth, and reduce the potency of plaque acids.

If you have any more questions about keeping your teeth healthy, our dental team will be more than happy to help.

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Top Five Habits to Kick to Keep Your Teeth Healthy

Friday, March 10th, 2017

shutterstock_281101001Bad habits can put your dental health at risk. If you’re keen to protect your pearly whites for as long as possible, here are five habits to try and kick as soon as possible:

  1. Smoking: smoking is often associated with an increased risk of respiratory illnesses and lung cancer, but it can also contribute to oral health problems. Smoking discolours your teeth and elevates your risk of bad breath and gum disease. It’s also the most potent risk factor for mouth cancer. If you’d like to try and quit smoking, we are here to help, so don’t hesitate to call in and see us.
  2. Biting your nails: biting your nails isn’t just damaging for your nails. It’s also bad for your teeth. Biting down on hard nails can damage your teeth. There’s a risk that bacteria from under the nails can get into the mouth.
  3. Grinding your teeth: if you grind your teeth, you may damage them and increase your risk of TMJ disorder. This is a group of symptoms that affect the temporomandibular joint, the joint that joins the skull to the lower jaw. If you grind your teeth at night, we can provide you with a bite guard to protect your teeth while you sleep.
  4. Indulging your sweet tooth: if you’ve got a sweet tooth, giving into cravings can have serious implications for your health. Sugary foods increase the risk of acid wear and decay.
  5. Avoiding the dentist: if you can’t remember the last time you went to the dentist, you could be putting your teeth and gums at risk. Patients who attend regular checks are up to 60 percent less likely to develop decay and gum disease.

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A Healthy Diet for Beautifully Healthy Teeth

Friday, August 26th, 2016

2370471_sThe foods you eat can actually have a big impact on how your mouth looks and feels. Our mouths convert sugar into acid, which then attacks our tooth enamel and this can lead to mean old tooth decay. Whenever we eat, we expose our teeth to the possibility of decay, but of course we need to eat to fuel our bodies! There are some delicious foods that are good for your teeth, so you can still enjoy your grub without compromising your teeth.

Tooth-friendly treats

Calcium is a big enamel-protector and you can find it in meats (especially chicken), cheese, milk and nuts. Crisp fruits and vegetables like apples and carrots are good for your teeth because they’re full of water, so their natural sugars aren’t as harmful. These crunchy delights also help your mouth to produce saliva, which helps to keep tooth decay at bay by washing cheeky bits of food debris from your teeth. Acidic citrus fruits are good for you, but make sure you eat them as part of a meal with other healthy foods, because their high acid content can be harmful to your teeth.

Drinks-wise, milk and water are your teeth’s best friends.

Enamel enemies

And now for the baddies. Hard sweets like lollipops and other sugary sinners like cakes and biscuits are not so good for our teeth. As well as being packed with sugar, these foods can be sticky and make a good breeding ground for bad bacteria. Be careful with cough sweets too!

When it comes to drinks, try and avoid sugary, fizzy drinks, coffee and sweetened tea. Sipping sugary drinks throughout the day is a recipe for disaster because that will just expose your teeth to potential damage all day long. Coffee and red wine can stain your teeth, so you might want to watch out there too.

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