Caring for your teeth isn’t just about using an electric toothbrush or visiting the dentist. There are several steps you can take every single day to maintain healthy teeth and a lifelong smile, from choosing healthier foods and drinks to following the recommended guidelines when brushing your teeth.
Talk to us at your next appointment for personalised advice and specialist care, or take a look at these simple dental habits that you can start today!
1. Start Early
The best way to establish lifelong healthy habits is to start early. That’s why we encourage all of our patients to bring their little ones to their first appointment even before their baby teeth start to show so that they can get used to visiting us.
These early appointments will help us to monitor their oral health and development from a very young age, but for your children these appointments will feel friendly and informal as they get to know our team and our practice. Building this positive relationship at a young age makes it much more likely that your little ones will attend the necessary appointments as they grow and we offer half-price children's exams and treatments to help them develop good habits for life.
2. Brush For At Least 2 Minutes
Recent research has revealed that 18% of British adults brush for less than the recommended two minutes, whilst 41% said they only brush their teeth once per day.
These worrying figures show that many Brits don’t take their oral health as seriously as they should. Brushing your teeth for at least 2 minutes in the morning and then again at night is one of the first tips that any UK child is taught when their teeth come through, and with good reason. Neglecting to brush your teeth leads to a buildup of plaque and bacteria which can cause bad breath, tooth decay, gum disease and a host of other dental issues, so keep your teeth healthy by taking the time to thoroughly clean your teeth - and don’t forget the mouthwash and floss!
3. Feed Your Smile
What we put into our mouths is just as important as brushing our teeth and attending regular checkups. A balanced diet is great for healthy teeth as the right vitamins and nutrients will protect your enamel, prevent tooth decay, encourage saliva production and keep your teeth and gums healthy, so prioritise plenty of the following in your diet:
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Whole grains
- Lean proteins
- Nuts to snack on
- Dairy products like milk, cheese and yoghurt
4. Avoid Hidden Sugars
We all like the odd sugary snack, but a consistently high sugar intake will quickly impact the overall health of your teeth and gums. It’s easy to stop eating sugary foods and acidic drinks (with a little willpower) but the real challenge is to cut out the hidden sugars that many of us consume on a regular basis without realising.
Most food packaging uses a colour-coded system to help consumers choose healthier options, so go for foods that are low in sugar, salt and fat and swap out your sugary treats for healthier tooth-friendly snacks.
5. Stay Hydrated
If you do find yourself snacking throughout the day then make sure you drink plenty of water to wash away any lingering sugars, food particles or bacteria that would otherwise cling to your teeth and gums.
Even if you follow a healthy diet and rarely consume excess sugar, sipping water throughout the day will also encourage saliva production which is a natural cleansing process that neutralises acids in your mouth, eliminates bad breath and prevents enamel erosion. So, carry a bottle of water around with you wherever you go this summer and incorporate more water into your daily diet to keep your mouth clean and healthy.
6. Visit A Dental Hygienist
Maintaining healthy teeth often requires professional care and our dental hygienist team specialises in minimally invasive treatments to help you keep your smile in the best condition. Our treatments remove plaque and stains from your teeth using a new system called Guided Biofilm Therapy, which can be used on dental implants and orthodontic brackets as well as natural teeth, and will leave you with clean teeth, healthy gums, and fresh breath.
A recent poll conducted by Philips Sonicare revealed that 34% of the UK adults surveyed have never visited a dental hygienist and that 10% do not know what a dental hygienist is. If this is the case for you, then click here to find out more about our hygienist treatments and get in touch today to schedule your appointment.
7. Attend Regular Appointments
Official NHS guidance recommends seeing your dentist regularly and advises that you should book your next appointment 6 months after your last visit. Regular checkups are essential for maintaining healthy teeth, but despite this advice, it is estimated that only one quarter of UK adults visit the dentist at least once per year.
Most adults only schedule appointments once they notice signs of tooth decay or start to feel pain, but leaving these problems untreated for long periods of time can make them harder to treat and comes with the risk of complications. Regular appointments allow us to pick up on any issues early on and help you to prevent them, so if it has been more than 6 months since you last visited our dental spa please book your next appointment soon.
Specialist Dental Care in London
Incorporate these tips into your daily routine and save on the dental care you need with our affordable dental plans for adults and half price treatments for children.
