Your teeth are precious and fragile fragments of your body, they deserve special care and attention, something most people are all too quick to ignore. Looking after your dental hygiene is more than just brushing your teeth twice a day; the lifestyle habits and food choices you make can also have a sever detrimental effect on your oral-health and overall well-being.

For many people in the City of Leeds, brushing teeth is no more than a two minute process. A quick once over of the top and bottom rows is deemed acceptable and this may even be neglected and substituted for a piece chewing gum if the individual is low on time. Brushing your teeth is essential to remove the bacteria that build up in your mouth over the course of the day. It is essential to brush not only your teeth but also thoroughly clean your tongue, this is where many bacteria thrive and it is the number one cause of bad breath. Flossing is also recommended by all dentists as it allows one to access the crevices between the teeth, impossible with brushing alone.

Regular dental check-ups are imperative for anyone who is concerned about their oral hygiene. Only a dentist is able to determine if you are suffering from problems such as gum disease and tooth decay. An appointment should ideally be made every six months in order to keep on top of any problems and ensure any necessary treatment is given.

Smoking and the use of tobacco-based products are possibly the worst life-style habits with regards to dental health. Tobacco has been proven to cause gum disease, a painful and dangerous condition categorized by receding or bleeding gums. In order to lower the risk of developing such a disease, smoking and the use of all related substances should stopped.

Finally, in order to ensure your teeth are healthy, it is important to follow a diet low in sugar. Sugar is known to increase the risk of cavities and tooth decay, it is far better to consume natural sugars (those found in fruit) than processed food such as sweets and chocolate.