Let’s continue into 2025 with good habits for our dental health. Here are our top tips for great oral health and dental hygiene:
Brush your teeth twice daily for two minutes
This is the big one! Regular brushing for at least two minutes twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste will ensure that your teeth are free from the bacteria that cause decay and gum disease. And remember not to rinse your mouth after brushing – this washes away all the beneficial fluoride. If you have dentures, remove them at night to allow your teeth to rest.
Use an interdental brush
Plaque hides in the spaces between your teeth so use an interdental brush to reach those awkward areas that your toothbrush can’t get to. An interdental brush is more effective than floss, ensuring that all of the spaces between your teeth are thoroughly cleaned.
Regular check-ups with your dentist
Twice-yearly visits to your dentist are necessary to ensure that any issues are identified before they can occur and gives you the chance to discuss anything that is concerning you.
Book an appointment with your hygienist
Regular visits to the hygienist can deliver lots of great benefits, including:
- Giving your teeth a thorough clean using specialist equipment
- Providing advice on correct brushing techniques and the best tools to use
- Giving you a whiter smile! Many foods and drinks will stain your teeth. These stains are usually on the surface of your teeth and can be removed with professional treatments such as air polishing, leaving your teeth feeling super clean and whiter!
Maintain a healthy lifestyle
Eating lots of vegetable and fruit and drink at least a litre of clear water each day will do wonders for your health, especially if you also reduce your intake of sugary foods and drinks.
Exercise is also great for your dental health! Research shows that regular exercise improves your body’s digestive system and its ability to absorb nutrients and eliminate waste. With the right nutrients, your body’s immune system is boosted, ensuring that you will naturally have a lower chance of developing gum disease.
Limit your alcohol consumption
Drinking alcohol has a direct effect on your dental health. It causes a reduction in saliva flow meaning that less bacteria are naturally washed off your enamel. Alcohol metabolises into sugar, which attracts the bacteria that cause cavities in the tooth’s enamel leading in time to tooth decay. Heavy alcohol consumption can weaken the immune system, making it harder to fight off such infections as gum disease, characterised by bleeding gums, plaque, gum recession, infection, and the development of pockets where the gums pull away from the teeth.
Quit smoking
If you smoke, you are up to six times more likely to develop gum disease and potentially experience tooth loss. This is due to the detrimental effect that smoking has on the body’s immune system. If you’d like to stop, we can help. We can offer guidance on the best ways to quit, and to help manage any smoking-related problems that you may experience.
Consider taking out a Denplan membership
Having a monthly payment plan like Denplan will encourage you to keep up with your regular checks with the benefit of not having to worry about the costs as your examination visits are included. Please visit our Denplan page for more information.
If you have any questions on these points or would like to make an appointment with one of our hygienists, please get in touch.
