General Prevention
We all know prevention is better than cure so have changed how dentistry is done.
We will spend more time talking to you about your Oral hygiene, Diet, Smoking habits and Alcohol intake. We hope to educate you with tailored advice and therefore reduce your risks of oral disease.
Below are some helpful tips but please book an appointment to have your regular check up and we can discuss these in more depth.
Tips for a healthy smile...
Oral Hygiene
Tooth Brushing
Brushing is essential to remove bacteria from around the surfaces of the teeth, the cause of decay and gum disease.
It also places Fluoride onto the teeth which helps to strengthen them.
It is important that teeth are brushed last thing at night as saliva production is reduced at night so your bodies natural defences are reduced.
Using an electric toothbrush can also improve your tooth brushing effectiveness.
Interdental Cleaning
Interdental cleaning is the removal of plaque from between the teeth, which your normal toothbrush cannot reach.
This can involve the use of dental floss, where there are tight contacts, or interdental brushes if the gaps are larger.
You should use the largest cleaning tool that will fit into each space, this may involve different brushes for different spaces.
Daily cleaning is essential as part of your oral hygiene regime.
With both methods of brushing it is important to clean into the gum line. Do not be put off if your gums bleed as this will stop once they become healthier.
When you see your dentist or hygienist they will be able to give you tailored advice for your mouth.
More info on tooth decay >
More info on gum disease>
1. Fresh Fruit
2. Cheese
3. Vegetable sticks
4. Bread sticks
5. Water
6. Tea/Coffee
7. Sugar free medicines
8. Nuts
9. Milk
10. No added sugar Jelly
Example good foods:
Diet Advice
A correct diet will prevent dental decay, caused by sugars, and also dental erosion, caused by acids.
The frequency of sugar intake and also the quantity of sugar consumed are important.
Other tips to note:
- be careful of hidden sugars in items disguised as healthy e.g. high sugar yogurts
- food in its solid form is less harmful than when broken down e.g. fruit juice worse than fruit
- food consistency, sticky foods are worse than non sticky
For example fruit is better than chocolate which is better than sweets. Although sweets are bad for teeth, they are more harmful grazed on over a couple of hours than eating a whole pack in one go.
We all like a treat but the key is to let it remain as such and not indulge too often.
Download the Food for Teeth app now to discover which foods are good and bad!
1. Dried fruits
2. Sweets
3. Chocolates
4. Fizzy drinks
5. Tea/Coffee with sugar
6. Wine/Cider/Beer
7. Medicines with sugar
8. Jams
9. Fruit Juices
10. Fruit shoots
Example bad foods:
Smoking and Alcohol
Smoking has many negative health impacts.
There are many reasons to stop.
People are not always aware of the oral health implications for smoking.
It significantly increases your risk of gum disease and will also increase the speed at which it progresses.
It will also significantly increase your risk of oral cancer.
This is increased again if coupled with a high alcohol intake.
Please try to quit smoking and remain within the guidelines for alcohol consumption.
Visit the Help me Quit website for help stopping.
