How to Achieve Good Oral Hygiene

Brushing and flossing is a great place to start, but you don’t have to tackle this problem alone. Combining good oral hygiene habits with regular dental checkups and mindful choices about your food and drink options will put you on course to better oral health.

If you’d like to avoid the risks associated with gum disease, we’re here to help. In this guide, we’re exploring how you can improve your oral hygiene and sharing some helpful hints and tips to better care for your teeth between checkups.

Benefits of good oral hygiene

Good oral hygiene helps to prevent common dental problems – mainly plaque and tartar that are the main cause of gum disease and tooth decay. Good oral hygiene may also help prevent or delay erosion. Enamel erosion can make your teeth weaker and will also make them appear dull and discoloured.

A trip to the dental hygienist for a professional scale and polish will help to remove all traces of plaque and tartar from the teeth.

• Dental plaque is a soft whitish deposit that forms on the surface of teeth. It forms when germs (bacteria) combine with food and saliva. Plaque contains many types of bacteria. You can remove plaque by good oral hygiene.

• Tartar (calculus) is hardened calcified plaque. It sticks firmly to teeth. Generally, a dentist or dental hygienist can only remove it with special instruments.

If plaque and tartar are left to build up on the teeth, this can lead to a condition known as periodontitis, which is better known as gum disease.

Gum disease is a fairly common condition in this country. It is when the gums become infected and sore and swollen. If left untreated, gum disease will eventually lead to tooth loss and it can be a painful journey.

Signs of gum disease

One of the first signs of gum disease you might notice is spitting blood when you brush your teeth. This happens because the gums are irritated and inflamed, so brushing your teeth causes the gums to bleed.

This stage of gum disease is referred to as gingivitis and if left untreated can progress to a more severe form of the disease called periodontitis. This affects the tissue that supports the teeth and if this is left untreated the bone in the jaw may decay. If not addressed in good time, this condition can lead to tooth loss.

How to maintain good oral health

In addition to regular cleaning – which you should be doing for at least two minutes twice a day – you should ensure regular visits to your dentist so that any preventative techniques can be applied to help prevent the onset of gum disease.

You can only go so far with your own dental hygiene that’s why it is important to have that contact with your dentist. At Benfleet Dental Centre we will advise and consult you with our qualified team of specialists.

A professional scale and polish will not only help to protect your teeth against plaque and tartar buildup, but it will also help to remove surface stains which can help your teeth to look brighter and whiter.

You can then use this as a foundation for exploring during dental treatments, such as teeth whitening. Once you start investing in your smile, you may find that it is much easier to care for your oral health.

Top tips for better oral health

Our dentists have shared their favourite tips for helping to maintain good oral health between dental checkups:

• Water cleans the mouth and produces saliva that deposits essential minerals into the teeth. It keeps gums hydrated and washes away particles from the teeth. Rather than reaching for sugary or fizzy drinks during the day, try switching to water to help support your oral health.

• Celery protects teeth by producing saliva which neutralises acid that causes demineralization and cavities. It also massages the teeth and gums. This is a great snack to have on hand when you’re feeling peckish so that you don’t reach for unhealthy choices like biscuits or crisps.

• Onions contain antibacterial sulphur compounds. Tests show that onions kill various types of bacteria, especially when eaten raw (if you dare).

• Vegetables are your friend when it comes to oral health. Vitamin A, found in pumpkins, carrots, sweet potatoes and broccoli, is necessary for the formation of tooth enamel. Crunchy vegetables may also help clean gums.

• Fruits such as apples, strawberries and kiwis contain Vitamin C. This vitamin helps hold cells together. If this vitamin is neglected, gum cells can break down, making gums tender and susceptible to disease.

• Cheese contains calcium and phosphate, which help balance PH in the mouth, preserves (and rebuilds) tooth enamel, produces saliva, and kills bacteria that cause cavities and disease. If you’re enjoying a glass of wine in the evening, a great way to balance the negative impact of the high acidity is to pair your glass of wine with a piece of cheese.

• Green tea contains polyphenol antioxidant plant compounds that reduce plaque, cavities, and gum disease. Green tea may also reduce bad breath and strengthen the tooth enamel because of its high fluoride content.

• Dairy foods are beneficial because of their low acidity, which reduces wear and tear on teeth. Additionally, dairy foods are high in calcium, which is essential for maintaining bone density.

Need more advice and support with your oral health?

At Benfleet Dental Centre your oral hygiene is so important to us. And we look forward to seeing you. To Find out more, or you would like to make an appointment either call us on 01702 557766 or email us at [email protected]