TAKE CARE OF YOUR TEETH AND GUMS
With lockdowns and quarantine, our oral health is something on all our minds at present.
Michele King from Portstewart Family Dental gives you some top tips on preventive dentistry.
WHAT IS PREVENTIVE DENTISTRY?
Preventive dentistry is the modern way of helping you keep a healthy mouth. It helps you to keep your teeth, and means you need to have less dental treatment. The two main causes of tooth loss are DECAY and GUM DISEASE. The better you prevent or deal with these two problems, the more chance you will have of keeping your teeth for life.
WHAT IS INVOLVED?
Firstly, we will check your teeth and gums, and talk to you about any treatment you need. The main aim is to help you get your mouth really healthy. In a healthy mouth it is unlikely that decay or gum disease will continue to be a problem.
Our dental team including myself, Peter King or Tracey Watley, our hygienist will thoroughly remove all plaque and tartar from your teeth. This is often called a ‘scale and polish’.
We will show you the best ways to brush, and how to clean in between your teeth using interdental brushes or fl oss, to remove the bacterial ‘plaque’ which forms constantly on your teeth.
You will be told which oral care products are the best ones for you to use.
The dental team will probably talk to you about your diet, and any habits you have such as smoking and drinking.
We will also make sure that all your fillings are in good condition and that there are no rough edges to make cleaning difficult.
WHAT ELSE CAN THE DENTIST AND HYGIENIST DO TO HELP PREVENT TOOTH DECAY?
Fluoride helps teeth resist decay. Our dental team will recommend the right level of fl uoride for you to use in your toothpaste. Fluoride varnishes may be recommended for children to help prevent decay
CAN DIET AFFECT MY TEETH?
Food and drinks containing sugar cause decay. If you cut down on how often you have sugary snacks and drinks this will help a lot. Foods such as cheese, fruit, nuts and vegetables are better for your teeth.
WHAT IS DENTAL EROSION?
Dental Erosion is the loss of enamel caused by acid attack. When the enamel is worn away it can lead to pain and sensitivity. Foods and drinks that contain acid, such as citrus fruits, fi zzy drinks, smoothies, fruit juice and fruit teas, can all cause dental erosion if you have them often.
CAN I PREVENT DENTAL EROSION?
Acidic foods and drinks can be harmful if you have them often in large amounts. Try to have acidic food and drinks only at mealtimes and drink acidic drinks through a straw. We recommend that you do not brush your teeth for at least one hour after eating or drinking anything.
CAN SMOKING AND DRINKING AFFECT MY TEETH AND GUMS?
Yes. Smoking can cause tooth staining, tooth loss and mouth cancer, and make gum disease worse. If you smoke, you may need to visit the dental team more often, but the best advice is to try to give up. Alcoholic drinks can also cause mouth cancer and if you smoke and drink you’re more at risk.
WHAT CAN I DO AT HOME?
It is very important that you keep up a good routine at home to keep your teeth and gums healthy. We recommend that you:
Brush your teeth last thing at night and at least one other time during the day, with fl uoride toothpaste - brush in the way your dental team have shown you.
Spit out after brushing and do not rinse, so that the fluoride stays on your teeth longer.
Clean in between your teeth with ‘interdental’ brushes or floss - brushing alone only cleans up to about 60 percent of the surface of your teeth.
Use a mouthwash. Many mouthwashes contain antibacterial ingredients to help prevent gum disease, and fluoride to help prevent decay. Don’t use the mouthwash straight after brushing.
Using the mouthwash in between the times you brush your teeth means that your teeth and gums are protected for longer.
WHAT ORAL CARE PRODUCTS SHOULD I USE?
There are now many specialised toothpastes, including total care toothpastes and toothpastes made specially to help with plaque and gum disease, and sensitive teeth.
Mouthwashes can help, and there are different types including ones with anti-bacterial ingredients.
Adults should use a toothbrush with a small to medium-sized head and soft to medium filaments (bristles).
Tests have shown that electric or ‘power’ toothbrushes with an oscillating, rotating action are better than manual toothbrushes at removing plaque. They can remove up to twice as much plaque as a manual toothbrush.
So, stay safe and keep brushing!
Until the next time,
Michele x
