At Riverside Dental Spa we talk frequently about the damage that poor oral health can do to your teeth and gums. It isn’t just your mouth, however, that can suffer from neglecting your oral health.
A recent study by Queen’s University Belfast revealed a worrying link between poor oral health and an increased risk of liver cancer. Though more research needs to be conducted to corroborate the initial evidence, it does highlight how important oral health is to overall health. After all, it has been known for some time that not looking after your teeth and gums can lead to complications such as stroke, heart disease and diabetes, so it is not surprising that over time more associations will be found between oral health and other diseases.
So, what can you do now to ensure that your overall health doesn’t suffer?
Here we present some top tips to keep your mouth, teeth and gums in great shape to help you smile with confidence and feel healthier.
Brush twice a day
We recommend that you brush your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste to remove the plaque which will otherwise coat your teeth and lead to decay and gum disease. Brushing thoroughly should take around two minutes and you should aim to clean every surface of every tooth. Try playing some music if you struggle to keep brushing for that long or use an electric toothbrush with a built-in timer. It’s best to brush last thing before you go to bed and once more at another time during the day.
Floss every time you brush
In addition to twice-daily brushing, it is also advisable to use dental floss or an interdental brush to remove food and debris from between your teeth. If your teeth are very close together or you have crooked, misaligned teeth and are worried about how to best get in between the teeth please ask your dentist or hygienist.
Eat a healthy diet
Having a healthy lifestyle is beneficial to your overall health and not just your teeth and gums. A few ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle is to cut your intake of sugary foods and drinks, avoid smoking and limit the amount of alcohol you drink.
Visit your dentist regularly
Of course, it goes without saying that one of our best pieces of advice is to make sure you book in to see us for a regular dental check up! A regular visit to our practice doesn’t take very long but can help us to spot the signs of tooth problems, gum disease and even wider health issues.
Don’t ignore dental pain!
If you are experiencing toothache, have pain when brushing your gums or have noticed sore spots or white or red patches in your mouth that won’t go away, please book in for an appointment with us as soon as you can, or make an emergency appointment. Spotting dental problems early makes them much easier to treat and less likely to develop into other health complications.
Book in now for your oral health check
Don’t leave it until it is too late, book in now for a check up at Riverside Dental Spa, and let us help you keep your teeth, gums and overall health in great shape. Call us on 020 7091 0677 to book an appointment or find out more about our range of dental treatments.
