Prevention is always better than cure. It doesn’t matter how old you are, on how many teeth you have, regular visits to the dentist
1. Visit the dentist regularly, once in every 6 months
Prevention is always better than cure. It doesn’t matter how old you are, on how many teeth you have, regular visits to the dentist can identify problems developing early, and more importantly set you on a path to rectify them. There’s a chance everyone will suffer from gum disease at some point in their lives.
2. Take diet into consideration
Diet may have a large impact on the growing obesity problem, but there’s no escaping the damage a poor diet does to our teeth. One of the foundation’s key messages is ‘cut down how often you have sugary foods and drinks.’ It is also worth remembering that some processed baby foods contain quite a lot of sugar.
3. Brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste
Why? During the night the flow of saliva, which is the mouth’s cleaning system, slows down. This leaves the mouth more at risk to decay; therefore brushing acts as a preventive measure. All children up to three years old should use a toothpaste with a fluoride level of at least 1000ppm ( parts per million ). After three years old it is recommended to use a toothpaste that contains 1350ppm – 1500ppm.
4. Indulge in interdental cleaning
Brushing alone only cleans around two thirds of the mouth, it is important to use interdental brushes or floss to clean away any food debris caught between the teeth. It can help to reduce the risk of gum disease.
5. Warm saline rinses after every meal
Make it a regular habit of rinsing your mouth after every meal , with luke warm water added with a pinch of salt. It improves the overall condition of your oral cavity.
6. Remember the one hour rule
It takes an average of 40 minutes for the mouth to neutralize the acid caused by eating or drinking sugar. Therefore it is best to wait at least one hour after eating before brushing teeth. Eating or drinking weakens the enamel on the teeth, meaning if you brush too soon it causes tiny particles of the enamel to be brushed away.
7. Teeth are not tools!
If your party trick is to open a bottle with your teeth, or if you’re always biting open the crisp packet,you’re actually doing your teeth more harm than good.
If you somehow lose a tooth, the important thing to remember is not to panic, best chance of having your tooth successfully put back in is to keep the tooth in the cheek. If this isn’t possible, keep it in some milk until you receive the necessary emergency dental work. The sooner you can do this the better.
8. Think about appearance
If you have a great oral hygiene routine, or even if you don’t, there’s no reason why you can’t think about some cosmetic treatment to help brighten or restore your smile. People who smoke, drink red wine and lots of tea and coffee may find over time their teeth become stained. It’s alwaya best to have a good chat with your dentist about the options, which can include tooth whitening, crowns or veneers.
DENTAL TREATMENT IS NOT EXPENSIVE, NEGLECT IS!!!!!!