Our 5 Top Tips For Dental Hygiene
It’s crucial to take the right steps every day to help take care of your teeth and prevent any problems.
According to a recent study, more than a quarter of people say they have been eating less healthily during the weeks of lockdown, with stress, tiredness and anxiety often acting as key triggers for reaching for snacks and less healthy foods.
With this in mind, it’s essential to take a conscious note of your daily habits during lockdown, especially with foods! However, dental hygiene goes far beyond what foods we eat, it’s also about how we look after and clean our teeth, how often we visit the dentist, and how frequently we floss!
1. Don’t go to bed without brushing your teeth
It’s no secret that the general recommendation is to brush at least twice a day. Still, many of us continue to neglect brushing our teeth at night. But brushing before bed gets rid of the germs and plaque that accumulate throughout the day.
2. Brush properly
The way you brush is equally important — in fact, doing a poor job of brushing your teeth is almost as bad as not brushing at all. Take your time, moving the toothbrush in gentle, circular motions to remove plaque. Unremoved plaque can harden, leading to calculus buildup and gingivitis (early gum disease). Bacteria can also build up on your tongue, which can lead to bad mouth odour. Therefore ensure that you gently brush your tongue every time you brush your teeth or use a tongue cleaner. Lastly ensure you change your toothbrush regularly and if you use an electric toothbrush to change the tip regularly and ensure you use it when it is fully charged.
3. Treat flossing/interdental brushes as important as brushing
Many who brush regularly neglect to floss. “Flossing is not just for getting those little pieces of food that may be getting stuck in between your teeth,” “It’s really a way to stimulate the gums, reduce plaque buildup, and help lower inflammation in the area.” Flossing at least once a day is usually enough to reap these benefits.
4. Limit sugary and acidic foods
Ultimately, sugar converts into acid in the mouth, which can then erode the enamel of your teeth. These acids are what lead to cavities. Acidic fruits, teas, and coffee can also wear down tooth enamel. While you don’t necessarily have to avoid such foods altogether, it doesn’t hurt to be mindful and reduce frequency of intake.
5. See your dentist regularly
Your own everyday habits are crucial to your overall oral health. Still, even the most dutiful brushers and flossers need to see a dentist regularly. At minimum, you should see your dentist for checkups twice a year. Not only can a dentist can spot potential issues and offer treatment solutions but also they carry out cancer screening and assess the health of your gums.
Doing so is especially helpful if you have a history of dental issues, such as gingivitis or frequent cavities. We also recommend regular hygienist visits to maintain the health of your gums and to ensure you receive more in depth oral hygiene advice.
Are you due a dental check-up? Or do you have any questions around your dental hygiene?
Get in touch with us today by phoning 01252 872 497 or emailing us at [email protected].
We’re pleased to remain open during this second lockdown, however please visit our latest blog regarding our updates on this: https://thelinkdental.co.uk/latest-update-covid-19/.
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