Your oral hygiene is one of the most important aspects of your dental health. There are many areas of your life that can affect your dental wellbeing: brushing and flossing; regular check ups with your dentist and your diet.
At Salcombe Dental Practice, we can help you with your oral hygiene in many ways. Regular check ups alone do not provide you with the continuing dental health you need as excellent oral hygiene must continue at home.
It is important to us that you fully understand the basics of your mouth to better understand how we can help with keeping your mouth fresh and as natural as possible. It is an old saying that prevention is better than cure however at Salcombe Dental Practice, our friendly team know it is an important part of our dental philosophy.
Preventing future dental health problems can mean that you are more likely to keep your natural teeth and save money on extensive restorative dental treatments.
One health problem is gum disease and today this can be easily treated however if not caught in time, can lead to receding gums and the loss of the affected natural teeth. Gingivitis and chronic periodontal disease can occur if your oral hygiene is not assessed on a regular basis, when plaque and calculus are removed from your teeth.
Plaque is caused by bacteria in your mouth producing acids. Many types of food can do this and not just sugary ones like sweets and biscuits. If you snack on a regular basis and do not brush your teeth, acid could be attacking your teeth all day long. Regular acid attacks will lead to the build up of plaque and tooth decay.
Plaque can also produce a substance that irritates your gums, making them sore and prone to bleeding. If this is not treated quickly it can inflame the gums away from the teeth, leading to the bone around your teeth being destroyed and ultimately the loss of your natural teeth through gum disease.
By following a few simple steps you will be heading in the right direction to stay disease free, totally naturally.
BRUSHING AND FLOSSING
Brushing
Flossing
A routine that as adults, we take for granted as it is something we have done every day for most of our lives. As children, we may see it as a chore. However you see brushing and flossing your teeth, it should be considered the most important part of your daily routine.
Correct brushing and flossing at home will assist in reducing plaque and therefore, decay. It is often easy to skim over your teeth, thinking that they ‘feel clean enough’ as you need those few extra minutes to get to work. Stop! There is a technique that you should be using that will allow your toothbrush to massage both your teeth and gums, cleaning thoroughly and comprehensively. This combined with flossing regularly will end with a result that not only feels clean but is clean AND healthy.
REGULAR VISITS TO THE DENTIST
How often do you visit the dentist? Most people should visit the dentist every 6 months however this is normally decided by your dentist, depending on your current dental health.
Even if you are brushing and flossing perfectly, you will find there are areas that can only be reached through a professional clean. In addition to this, a dentist can check for other problems that may be appearing in your mouth. Regular visits mean that any problems can be addressed straight away and therefore preventing them from deteriorating any further.
When you first visit us at Salcombe Dental Practice, we will not only assess your dental health but also make sure we have all the necessary x-rays and extensive notes to make sure we know all there is to know about your current and previous health. The more we know, the better chance we have of understanding your individual needs and requirements.
DIET
A major cause of dental health problems is your diet. As previously mentioned, certain foods contain an acid that if not cleaned off your teeth will start the process of plaque, decay and ultimately disease and tooth loss.
A balanced diet provides you with the nutrients you need to maintain good overall health. As your body is constantly changing, the nutrients you put into your body determine the rate at which it grows and the strength it is given. Proper nutrients will mean that your body is getting the optimum chance at survival, building your body’s immune system and preventing disease. If your diet is lacking in certain areas, you will become prone to infections, your mouth being no exception.
A balanced diet consists of the following: -
Some carbohydrates
Essential fatty acids
Essential amino acids
15 vitamins
Approx 25 minerals
Water
The above are found in a variety of different food types as well as being produced naturally by your body. It is important that you educate yourself to the food types that are good and which ones should be eaten in moderation, if at all.
Snacking in between meals can contribute to the build up of plaque on your teeth as you are less likely to brush your teeth after a snack. During meals, more saliva will be produced to help rinse food from your teeth however we recommend that you try and brush your teeth after each meal, when possible.
If you would like to discuss your oral hygiene with the highly trained team at Salcombe Dental Practice, we would love to hear from you. Our team is fully qualified in discussing your hygiene requirements and the factors that can lead to future dental problems.
Remember, prevention is better than cure so call us today on 01548 844844
