For all the advances of modern dentistry, and the array of different types of toothpaste etc on the market these days, looking after your teeth and gums largely comes down to a basic good oral health regime. Naturally, our Staines dentists are here to help and also be on hand should anything go wrong, but there is a lot that the patient can, and should, do to keep their teeth and gums in good health.
In today’s blog, we are going to take a look at ten essential things that will help this and that we feel our local Staines patients should be aware of.
1 - Correct brushing
Most of you reading this will hopefully brush your teeth regularly. There are a few things to note though when doing so. First of all, don’t use a brush with worn bristles. This is less effective. Renewing your brush every three months or so is ideal. Make sure when you brush not to simply brush the flat surface but angle the bristles towards the gums to clean around the gum line too. Finally, there is no need to brush hard. Putting too much pressure can cause enamel erosion and reduce the protection for your teeth. Gentle circular brushing is all that is needed.
2 - Use dental floss
Even the best brushing won’t reach all food and bacteria and especially that which has become trapped between the teeth. This is an area where both tooth decay and gum disease often start. The best way to deal with this is to use dental floss. We are happy to show you how if you find this difficult. Flossing sticks and water flossers are also popular with some people, but, we believe, floss is the best (and cheapest) option and is worth persevering with.
3 - Cut down on the snacking
It isn’t just that many snacks contain sugars, but the fact that we do this all too frequently. You may not be aware that each time we eat, the enamel of our teeth softens a little. By constantly snacking, the enamel doesn’t have sufficient time to harden again before the next meal and can therefore wear away quicker. For this reason, you should also wait for at least half an hour after eating before you brush your teeth.
4 - Be aware of acidic food and drinks
The rise in ‘energy’ or ‘sports’ drinks has been a real problem in recent years. Not only are these high in sugar but are also highly acidic and can lead to enamel erosion which can then lead to sensitive teeth. These are best avoided altogether but even reducing them will help, as will drinking through a straw to reduce contact with the teeth. Regular ‘fizzy’ drinks such as colas have a similar effect as well. Stick to water where you can.
5 - Don’t skip dental appointments
Six monthly appointments are the bedrock of preventative care. It allows the dentists at the Clarence Dental Practice to monitor your oral health, checking your teeth and gums for any issues and carrying out routine x-rays to ensure there are no issues below the gum line. Skipping an appointment can mean that a small cavity that has formed, and which would require a small filling, may need a larger filling or crown if you miss an appointment at our Staines dental clinic.
6 - See the hygienist
Seeing the dentist for regular check ups is important, but seeing the hygienist should be on your list too. They play an important role in the prevention of gum disease especially, an issue that can lead to tooth loss if not addressed soon enough. They do this by offering advice on how to improve your home oral care and also providing a non invasive procedure known as a ‘scale and polish’ which removes hardened deposits, known as tartar or calculus, from the teeth and gum line and helps to keep your oral health in good shape.
7 - Remember that water is your friend
Not only should water be drunk as your main beverage, but swilling or drinking water after a meal will help to remove larger pieces of food debris that might otherwise linger for several hours until you brushed them. Perhaps more importantly though, drinking water helps you to stay hydrated. This avoids the problem of a dry mouth which can cause rapid expansion of oral bacteria that can lead to gingivitis and periodontitis, i.e. gum disease.
8 - Quit smoking
As above, smoking leads to a dry mouth and a greatly increased risk of gum disease. The nicotine in smoke also narrows the tiny blood vessels in the gums, meaning that healing is likely to be slower and increases the risk of infections. Most devastatingly though, smoking is a leading cause of oral cancer which can be disfiguring or even fatal. Quitting smoking, if you currently do, is one of the most important things that you can do for better oral health (and a healthier bank balance too!)
9 - Respond quickly to dental issues
We know that some people don’t like dentists and we do understand that. We are always here to help you have as relaxing an experience as possible when you visit our Staines dental clinic so please do let us know if you suffer from dental anxiety. Unfortunately, this common issue can cause some people to delay seeking help when they first notice a problem. The logic is likely to be that ‘it doesn’t hurt that much’ or ‘it’s only a small chip that has come off the tooth’. We suspect most of you have thought similarly at one time or another. This is exactly the time when you should seek help though.
‘Small issues’ usually require minor treatment. Ignoring them will almost certainly cause them to become more significant and possibly painful too, and will eventually require more invasive and significant treatment, or even result in tooth loss. So please contact us as soon as you notice a problem and don’t delay.
10 - Don’t use your teeth as tools!
Evolution has provided us with fingers and thumbs and our advice to you is to use them. Some people still insist on opening bottles, crisp packets or biting their fingernails though. All of these can lead to chipped and cracked teeth, and, in the case of opening bottles especially, some serious damage, including to our face and eyes should the bottle break. Where tasks are more difficult with the fingers, use the appropriate tools, such as scissors, for example. Your teeth are for biting and chewing food. Please use them for that purpose alone.
We hope that this has helped you to discover ways to improve your oral health. We think that all of these are easy to implement and hope that you do. We are always here for check ups and where any treatment is needed. If you need to make an appointment at the Clarence Dental Practice, please give us a call today on 01784 463 695.
Address: 21a Clarence Street, Staines upon Thames, Surrey, TW18 4SU
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