1. Clean between your teeth
Brushing your teeth is essential, but there are certain areas of the mouth that your toothbrush just can’t reach. This is why using dental floss, or inter-dental brushes if you find flossing tricky, is really important. Flossing helps to remove small bits of food and plaque from between the teeth and prevent decay. Why not ask one of our hygienists for some tips next time you are in.
2. Don’t forget the gums
When you are brushing your teeth, make sure you pay particular attention to your gum-line too. You should angle the bristles into the area your teeth meet your gums. Make sure you replace your toothbrush every couple of months, or more often if you notice a lot of wear so that it can do its job effectively.
3. Cut back on the sugar
Controlling the sugar in your diet is a great way to improve oral health. A key way to do this is to control how often you intake sugar, rather than focus on the amount of sugar you have. After eating sugar your mouth has to work hard to balance out the pH level in your mouth to stop acids building up, if you regularly snack on sugary items it doesn’t give your mouth time to recover. You could try limiting your sugar intake to just mealtimes for example, to keep your mouth healthy.
4. Minimise alcohol consumption
In a similar way to sugar, acids in some alcohols can upset the pH levels in your mouth and cause tooth erosion. This wears away enamel and damages the teeth. Many alcoholic drinks are also served with a sugary topper such as fruit juice or fizzy drinks which can add to the problem. Consider which drinks you choose and opt for something with low sugar to protect your smile.
5. Chew gum between meals
Chewing a sugar free gum after snacks can help to neutralise the acids that have built up in your mouth by encouraging the production of saliva. It is important that you still brush and floss your teeth regularly but chewing gum can be a great option for during the day when you might not have a toothbrush handy!
6. Use a mouthwash at a separate time to brushing
Having a good oral hygiene routine is key to a healthy mouth, and many choose to use mouthwash as part of their routine. Fluoride mouthwashes can help to prevent tooth decay, and some also have antibacterial properties which can help reduce plaque and prevent gum disease. We recommend if you are going to use a mouthwash you do it at a separate time to brushing (such as after your lunch)
7. Go electric
Electric toothbrushes can be a great way to achieve a super clean mouth, and there are many on the market to choose from. Remember that the oscillating head does the work, so you don’t need to move the toothbrush in the same way as a manual one. You can look online and most of the big brands offer tutorials for you to follow. Tip: children often find it tricky to use an electric toothbrush effectively, so make sure they learn with a manual one first.
Remember: your adult teeth have to last you a lifetime, so every small change you make to your oral health can make a noticeable improvement in the long run. To find out more or book an appointment, contact the friendly Kingston Park reception team today who will be happy to help.