Dental Hygiene Tips From The Experts
Published by
Gary Moynes
on
Maintaining good oral hygiene is one of the most important things you can do for your teeth and gums to preserve your long-term dental health. Healthy teeth not only enable you to look and feel good, they make it possible to eat and speak properly - making good oral hygiene important to your overall well-being.
For many people, dental hygiene is as straightforward as carrying out daily preventive care, including proper brushing and flossing, which will help stop problems before they develop. As well as regularly visiting the dentist, there are simple steps that each of us can take to greatly decrease the risk of developing tooth decay, gum disease and other dental problems. These include:
- Brushing thoroughly twice a day and flossing daily
- Eating a balanced diet and limiting snacks between meals
- Using dental products that contain fluoride, including toothpaste
- Following the advice of your dentist
How Important is Brushing Your Teeth?
Toothbrushing is important throughout life, allowing you to reduce the risk of dental issues and periodontal diseases - particularly with the use of fluoride-containing toothpaste. The UK government recommends “cleaning all tooth surfaces, and the gum line, thoroughly with a toothbrush and fluoride-containing toothpaste at least twice a day (last thing at night or before bed and one other time), spitting out the excess toothpaste”, as well as “use of additional cleaning aids to reach interproximal surfaces, as appropriate”.
A key goal of brushing your teeth and other good hygiene habits is to avoid the excessive build-up of plaque, and so avoid gum disease. The NHS recommends the following:
“Brushing your teeth for about 2 minutes last thing at night before you go to bed and on 1 other occasion every day – it does not matter if you use an electric or manual toothbrush, but some people find it easier to clean their teeth thoroughly with an electric toothbrush using toothpaste that contains the right amount of fluoride, a natural mineral that helps protect against tooth decay.”
What Else Can Boost Your Dental Hygiene?
- Flossing your teeth or using interdental brushes regularly – preferably daily, before brushing your teeth.
- Not smoking - Smoking is one of the most significant risk factors for gum disease
- Regularly visiting your dentist – at least once every 1 to 2 years, but more frequently if necessary
Good dental hygiene is also important to prolong the life of any dental implant treatments you receive; Just like with natural teeth, to keep your dental implants healthy for life it’s important to properly clean them every day and see a dental professional regularly.
Dental implant patients must pay closer attention to flossing and brushing below the gum line in order to protect the bone structure that secures the implanted tooth in the mouth. Proper brushing also protects the tooth crown itself from chips and cracks. Lifestyle factors that increase your risk of gum disease, or other dental problems, should also be avoided to ensure that your implants last as long as possible.