Our dentists strongly believe that the mouth is a window to the rest of the body and a healthy mouth often reflects a healthy body. At City Dental Leeds, we can’t stress the importance of looking after the teeth and gums enough and we are always here to provide preventative treatment and offer advice to help you maintain good oral hygiene at home and keep dental disease at bay.

Oral hygiene

Dental diseases such as tooth decay and gum disease are preventable and good oral hygiene is the best means of keeping the teeth and gums healthy. Daily hygiene practices are essential because they remove potentially harmful bacteria and clear away food debris. If leftovers and bacteria are left lurking in the mouth, this increases the risk of plaque developing and consequently increases the risk of decay and gum disease. Plaque is a sticky substance that clings to the tooth enamel and the gums. When the bacteria within the plaque feed, they release acids that erode the enamel and irritate the gums.

A good daily oral hygiene routine should include twice-daily brushing with fluoride toothpaste and daily flossing. Brushing should be thorough but gentle to avoid damage to the enamel and you should devote at least two minutes to cleaning in the morning and evening. We also highly recommend sticking to six-monthly check-ups and regular dental hygiene sessions.

Oral health and general health

We have always known that oral health is important, but in recent years there have been a number of studies published linking poor oral health to compromised general health. Studies show that oral diseases, particularly gum disease, can increase the risk of heart disease, strokes and even Alzheimer’s disease.

If you have any questions or queries about oral hygiene or oral health in general, don’t hesitate to ask your dentist or call the clinic for advice.