Spring clean your smile

Spring is now on the horizon; the days are getting longer, and the sun is beginning to shine, it is the time of year when we turn to spring cleaning our homes so why not your oral hygiene.

The team at College Dental Surgeries have therefore identified five spring cleaning tips for your smile.

Brushing-techniquePerfect your brushing technique

It is all very well brushing your teeth twice a day but if you are not brushing effectively, you could still be at risk of dental decay. Be sure to use a brush with a small head and take care to follow a routine to ensure that you brush all your teeth and gums. Brush for at least 2 minutes and use small, gentle, circular motions and angle the brush at 45 degrees so that you can clean the gum line effectively.

Spit, don’t rinse!

After brushing it is best to spit, not rinse, as this will allow the fluoride in your toothpaste to stay in contact with your teeth for as long as possible.Fluoride is beneficial to teeth because:

  • it helps torebuild weakened tooth enamel
  • it reverses early signs of tooth decay
  • it prevents the growth of harmful oral bacteria

When bacteria in your mouth break down sugar and carbohydrates, they produce acids that eat away at the minerals in your tooth enamel. This loss of minerals is called demineralization. Weakened tooth enamel leaves your teeth vulnerable to bacteria that cause cavities.

Fluoride helps to remineralise your tooth enamel, which can prevent cavities and reverse early signs of tooth decay.

Gum-diseaseUpdate your equipment

Ideally you should replace your toothbrush every three months or sooner if the bristles become worn or splayed to ensure that you are brushing effectively. It is also important to ensure that you do not brush too hard as this can cause damage to the teeth and lead to toothbrush abrasion.

 

Clean interdentally

By cleaning interdentally, you will be able to reach those areas that brushing alone misses, reducing the risk of gum disease and tooth decay. There are a wide range of interdental cleaning aids available. If flossing is not easy, why not try tape, interdental brushes, floss picks or an air flosser. No matter how you do it be sure to clean interdentally to keep your teeth looking their best.

food-hygieneEnsure that your diet is tooth friendly

Foods such as nuts, fruits (such as apples), cheese, chicken and vegetables are all teeth friendly. It is also important to try and limit the quantity of sugary foods you have. Ideally these should only be consumed at mealtimes to reduce the number of sugar attacks your teeth need to deal with each day.

 

If you need any help or advise on improving your oral hygiene routine, call College Dental Surgerieson 01622 752340 and book a hygienist appointment.