Last Updated on 7th December 2015
The British Dental Health Foundation, the UK’s leading dental health charity, has put together a huge list of tips for good oral health. The dentists at Evesham Dental Health Team have picked out their top 20 to help keep you smiling.
- Eating and drinking acidic food and drinks weakens the enamel on your teeth, and brushing straight afterwards can cause tiny particles of enamel to be brushed away. It is better to brush your teeth before breakfast in the morning and last thing at night.
- Brush your teeth just before you go to bed and before you have anything to eat or drink at breakfast.
- Clean in between your teeth using inter-dental brushes or floss. This will help to clean a higher portion of the tooth and prevent the build-up of plaque
- Chew sugar-free gum to stimulate saliva to help neutralize acids and prevent your mouth from drying out. We have Xylitol sugar-free gum on sale at our Broadway Road dental practice, why not give it a try?
- If you are a nervous patient, make sure our Evesham dentists know this, we are here to help.
- To test if you have bad breath, simply lick the inside of your wrist, let it dry and sniff. If the smell is bad, you can be fairly sure you have. Don’t ignore bad breath as it may be an indication of gum disease. Please book an appointment with our Evesham hygienists to be on the safe side.
- Always tell us about changes to your medical health, as it may help us prevent gum disease and tooth decay from developing.
- A glass of water is the best drink to give your child after eating sugary foods.
- A diet that is rich in vitamins, minerals, and fresh fruit and vegetables can help to prevent gum disease.
- Some patients benefit from using a mouthwash – if you are unsure which is best for your mouth, all you have to do is ask a member of Evesham Dental Health Team!
- If you or your child has a sweet tooth, look for sugar-free sweets. Those containing Xylitol can help to reduce tooth decay and we have a range of products for sale for our patients from Evesham, Stratford, Worcester and Cheltenham.
- Quitting smoking will help you reduce the chances of developing a whole host of oral health problems, including gum disease, yellow teeth and mouth cancer.
- Don’t forget to brush your tongue, or use a tongue scraper. If you’d like us to show you how, please ask at your next dental or hygiene appointment.
- Avoid sugary drinks in baby bottles to avoid them developing dental problems.
- Electric toothbrushes can be more effective at removing plaque. They are particularly useful for people with limited movement, such as disabled or elderly people, who often find that using a manual toothbrush does not allow them to clean thoroughly.
- All children up to 3 years old should use a smear of toothpaste with a fluoride level of no less than 1,000ppm (parts per million). After 3 years old, they should use a toothpaste that contains 1,350ppm -1,500ppm.
- Parents should supervise their children’s tooth brushing until they are about 7 years old. We are happy to provide brushing tips so that your child can grow up using the right techniques.
- If you have sensitivity when brushing your teeth with cold water from the tap, you may need to use warm water instead. It is important you do not avoid brushing your teeth regularly as this could make the problem worse. Speak to us if you have sensitive teeth as there is a range of problems that can cause this.
- Still water and milk are good choices. It is better for your teeth if you drink fruit juices just at meal times.
- It is better for your teeth and general health if you eat 3 meals a day plus no more than two snacks, instead of having lots of snack attacks.
If you have any questions about any of the above tips, please give us a call as we would be happy to help.
