Maintaining your oral health is important for your overall health and quality of life. Having a healthy mouth means you can maintain good nutrition and feel clean, comfortable and confident. If you don’t keep on top of your oral hygiene then you can suffer from issues such as gum disease, bad breath or potentially something worse.
At Glandwr, looking after your oral health is paramount to us – we can advise you on any steps you need to take to improve it. Please contact us if you have any queries.
These are some oral hygiene tips which can help you to keep a healthy smile:
1. Brush your teeth morning and night at a minimum.
We recommend, at minimum, that you brush your teeth at least once in the morning and once at night. Make sure that you are brushing for a full two minutes each time, and that the toothpaste you use contains fluoride. Ideally, you should be using an electric toothbrush.
2. Change your toothbrush regularly.
Using an old, worn down toothbrush isn’t going to get the job done properly. Make sure that you are replacing old toothbrushes, or the heads for your electric toothbrush at least once every two to three months.
3. Floss.
This is so important! Using floss or interdental brushes is crucial for cleaning in between your teeth. Aim to do this with at least one of your brushes a day, and don’t miss out the spaces between the back teeth.
4. Brush your teeth before breakfast.
Consuming acidic foods or drinks before you brush your teeth is damaging. Your teeth’s enamel will become softened from the acids, and brushing soon after will wear away at it. If you need to brush after eating, you must wait at least 30 minutes and consider a mouthwash in the meantime.
5. Cut down on sugar.
Be mindful about your sugar intake, as this can play havoc with your teeth. It’s also not just about the amount of sugar you’re consuming, but about the frequency too. A little bit of sugar here and there may be worse for your teeth than having it all in one go. The sugar will constantly be sitting on your teeth, leaving them at risk of acidic erosion.
6.Get a regular checkup.
Have a dentist look over your teeth regularly, and attend if you have any oral issues. At Glandwr, we will help catch minor problems before they develop into something bigger. Our dentists are trained to spot early signs of gum disease and oral cancer. Recognising these things in the early stages is key to successful treatment.
7. Get your teeth cleaned by a hygienist.
Even after cleaning your teeth twice daily, there are still some areas of the mouth you might miss with brushing and flossing. When plaque builds up it can solidify and turn into tartar, which is difficult to remove without professional help. A trip to see a hygienist will prevent plaque and tartar build up which can lead to cavities.
8. Clean your tongue.
Include your tongue in your oral hygiene routine. Bacteria can build up on here, affecting your overall oral health or causing bad breath.
9. Replace missing teeth.
This will help to prevent decay and the movement of your other teeth. At Glandwr, we can offer a variety of options. These can restore your mouth’s original function and make your smile look natural.
10. Get chips fixed.
If you don’t get chips on your teeth fixed, then they may develop into bigger issues if the damage goes deeper than the surface. There are multiple ways we can fix this, including crowns and composite bonding. If you have a chip, we can advise you on which method is best suited.
