10 Dental Care Tips for Healthy Teeth & Gums
Proper dental hygiene is vital for maintaining healthy teeth and gums in both kids and adults.
Your dentist Wimbledon from SW19 Confidential Dental Clinic shares 10 must-know tips for boosting your oral health at home. Arm yourself with these dental hygiene guidelines and you’ll be sure to smile bright all year long!
Brush and Floss Every Day
The simple routine of brushing and flossing forms the foundation of positive oral hygiene. But it’s more complicated than just going through the motions. Adults should brush twice daily for a full two minutes using fluoride toothpaste to safeguard teeth. Floss thoroughly once a day to dislodge particles between teeth and below the gum line. Achieving excellent brush-floss technique takes practice so stay diligent!
Examine Gums and Mouth Tissue
Set up a regular habit of inspecting gums and other mouth tissue for cracks, changes in color or texture, and areas of sensitivity or swelling. Report any abnormalities you notice to your Wimbledon dentist or physician, especially if conditions don’t improve within 2 weeks. This self-monitoring will help detect early signs of oral health problems so they can be addressed promptly and correctly.
Stick to Dental Checkups
Intermittent dental checkups allow the dentist Wimbledon to monitor, maintain or help improve your oral health status between visits. They’ll probe for periodontal disease, inspect teeth, clean plaque buildup, and remineralize vulnerable spots. Don’t skip your dental cleaning for too long! Your risk of requiring complex dental treatments will be much lower if issues get flagged early.
Watch Sugary Food Intake
High frequency consumption of sugary foods like sticky candies, sodas, syrups, fruits and even starches, stimulate acid production from oral bacteria. This demineralizes tooth enamel and dentin, eventually forming cavities. Limit sugary treats, rinse mouth afterward, and save them for mealtime when saliva is plentiful. Choose nutrient-rich carbs to satisfy cravings.
Use Fluoridated Products
Fluoride chemically protects teeth against the acids and bacteria that cause decay. For a double boost, brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and apply fluoride treatments at dental appointments. Some mouthwashes, varnishes, and drinking water also contain supplemental fluoride. Check with your dentist Wimbledon before introducing fluoride supplements.
Quit Tobacco
Smoking and smokeless tobacco erode gum tissue, stain teeth, impair healing, and cause cancer. e-cigarettes are not harmless either. As your dentist Wimbledon, my strongest recommendation is to quit all forms of tobacco for optimal oral health. Ask us about customized nicotine replacement options, counseling referrals, or medication support if you’re seeking to quit.
Eat Crunchy Fruits and Veggies
The abrasive textures of crisp apples, celery, carrots and cucumbers help clear food debris sticking to teeth by acting as miniature scrub brushes during chewing. They also stimulate more saliva production which neutralizes acids. Stay clear of hard items that could crack teeth, like ice, nuts and hard candy. Chew carefully with crunchy foods.
Apply Protective Sealants
Sealants offer an invisible barrier to shield deep grooves of back molars from cavity-causing microbes. The thin coating adheres into the etching of a molar and hardens. It’s a fast, painless procedure from your Wimbledon dentist that provides years of protection. Sealants can last on average 5-10 years with careful monitoring and good hygiene. Ask us if they’re right for your child’s molars as they come in.
Consider Your Medications
Hundreds of popular over-the-counter and prescription pills can negatively impact saliva output, which keeps teeth resilient. Without sufficient saliva, we see a rise in dental issues like tooth decay, canker sores, and mouth infections. Speak with both your physician and dentist Wimbledon if you regularly take medications linked to dry mouth. We’ll create a treatment plan tailored for decreased saliva flow.
Guard Against Grinding & Clenching
If you grind your teeth at night or have sore jaw muscles upon waking, your oral health is probably suffering. Teeth grinding gradually destroys tooth enamel, fractures teeth into dentin, and worsens gum recession. Your Wimbledon dentist can create a custom night guard to prevent further damage and even recommend physical therapy or medication if an underlying condition is suspected. Protect those pearly whites while you sleep!
Sticking to just 10 fundamental dental hygiene and proper care guidelines will go a long way toward preventing your oral health issues down the road. Don’t long wait until you have a dental problem to be proactive—adopt these latest 2024 tips from your Wimbledon dentist today for a lifetime of happy, sparkling healthy smiles! SW19 Confidental Dental Clinic in Wimbledon offers specialized expertise in all facets of dental care; from basic dental cleanings and checkups to advanced care procedures like dental implants, emergency toothache, teeth whitening, Invisalign or smile makeovers etc. Book your Wimbledon Dental care visit and experience our more relaxing 5-star care today!
Proper dental hygiene is vital for maintaining healthy teeth and gums in both kids and adults. Your dentist Wimbledon from SW19 Confidential Dental Clinic shares 10 must-know tips for boosting your oral health at home. Arm yourself with these dental hygiene guidelines and you’ll be sure to smile bright all year long! Brush and Floss…