10 Things your Dentist wishes you knew

A great smile starts with a bespoke oral care routine! 

Your mouth and its need are completely unique; so why not treat it that way?

We believe that if you want the most from your smile, you’ve got to get serious about your oral care regime.

As Dentists, we know what’s up. We witnessed our patients struggle to find safe and effective oral care products to target their specific goals. We believe that taking care of your teeth shouldn’t just be something you should have to do - it should be something you want to do! 

So let’s look at our 10 tips to nail your oral care routine at home:

  

Brush your teeth twice a day for 2 minutes

Brushing is the only effective way to reduce plaque build-up and maintain a healthy, beautiful smile. We recommend brushing your teeth and gums for two minutes, even if your teeth feel clean after one! Our Sonic brush comes with a built-in two-minute self-timer to ensure you’re never over brushing your teeth - which can actually do more damage than good!

 

 Don't forget to brush your tongue!

Bacteria love to grow and build up here! Did you know that the bacteria on your tongue is the number one cause of bad breath? Mouthwash can be used throughout the day to freshen up your breath on the go! But if bacteria is alive on the tongue it needs to go to avoid tooth decay!

Flossing is not a myth - promise!

Flossing is something that some of our patients think is a bit of a myth but in fact, it’s actually just as important as brushing! Brushing your teeth is only half the battle to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Flossing once a day is a great way to remove plaque and food build up in those hard to reach places. We would go as far as to say flossing is more important than mouthwash!

Avoid sugary food and drinks (that includes fruit!)

Foods labelled ‘low calorie’, which may appear healthy can often be loaded with sugar! We all love our treats every now and again but keep this in mind when snacking in the evening, as sugar can linger on the teeth while you sleep if you don't brush right before bed! 

Fruit is also full of sugar so beware! Consuming large amounts of these foods can lead to tooth decay or erosion which exposes your teeth to sensitivity.

Know what's in your oral care products

Look for products that contain key ingredients such as fluoride and casein phosphopeptide as they reduce plaque build-up, strengthen your enamel, help make teeth more resistant to acid attacks, and prevent tooth decay. 

Mouthwash is a great way to fight bad breath but be sure it doesn’t contain alcohol. Alcohol is a drying agent and will reduce or eliminate saliva, which we need to keep our mouths fresh and flush away any bad bacteria. 

Did you know, the most effective time to use mouthwash is during the day and not directly after brushing your teeth!

Avoid staining your teeth

Dark coloured liquids such as tea, coffee, and red wine contain tannins that leave stains on your teeth. If you can’t survive without your morning coffee, try drinking through a straw (an environmentally friendly one, of course!) and if all else fails, you could always invest in our Teeth White Pen – it’s very easy to use, actively dissolves stains, and is a staple in our handbags.

 

Be wary of whitening fads

Have you ever heard of a dentist recommending charcoal or baking soda to whiten your teeth? No, of course not! Try to avoid using anything gritty that sticks to your teeth like baking soda or charcoal – yes, they can remove stains, but these are abrasive, meaning that they act like sandpaper and damage the tooth’s enamel in the process.

  Dry mouth = danger zone

Keep yourself hydrated by drinking at least two litres of water a day to produce saliva and avoid your mouth becoming dry. Saliva acts as your mouth’s antiseptic and helps to prevent decay. Without it, excess food particles and bacteria will not be washed away, not only leaving you with bad breath but your teeth will become more prone to decay.

 

  Avoid smoking

Not only does smoking give you yellow teeth and make you more prone to gum disease and inflammation, it’s also the number one cause of oral cancer. If you’re a smoker, it can be hard to give up, but if you are looking to improve your oral health then it’s best to kick the habit! Speak with your dentist and he/she will provide you with plenty of advice and support. Smoking is more harmful to teeth than not brushing at all!

 

  Regular check-ups

You should visit your dentist for a dental exam at least every six months. Dental check-ups are just as important as any other health care check-ups and screenings. Remember if you are an anxious patient, don’t let this stand in your way of visiting your dentist, they are here to help you not hurt you! Many dental issues are treatable and can be avoided if they are caught at an early stage. Dentists can identify problems quickly and prevent them from becoming more serious too – so book your check-up today.

As always if you have any questions or would like some dental advice please feel free to contact us via social media - we’re here to help you.