How do you keep your teeth and gums healthy?Maintaining healthy teeth and gums is a non-time consuming activity in the grand scheme of things and a small sacrifice to make if you consider what happens when you don’t’! Keep your gums and teeth healthy by doing the following things:
– Brush your teeth twice a day for 3 minutes each time. If this is a constant battle for you, try setting a timer, or take some time to read up on what happens to your teeth if you don’t – this may motivate you to stay healthy. Your oral care can influence the rest of your body and immune system – it’s important to look after it!
– Be brush-wise– Many of us do brush for the recommended 3 minutes, but we don’t necessarily brush properly, neglecting certain areas of the mouth. Make sure you brush all of your teeth equally, be logical or organised about if you need to be – 1 minute for each third for example.
– Make sure you have the right toothbrush for the job. There are a lot of toothbrushes on the market and sometimes it can seem a bit arbitrary when you buy one. Have a word with your dentist about what toothbrush would work well for you. Generally, adults should look at having a small/medium-sized brush head with soft bristles and capable of reaching the areas of the mouth that are tucked away.
– Visit your dentist at least twice a year for check-ups. It’s very important to do this even if you don’t feel you have any problems with your oral health. Problems such as gum disease do not manifest themselves until much later along the line, so it’s important for your dentist to examine you and identify any complications that you may have overlooked.
– Use fluoride toothpaste – this helps strengthens tooth enamel which in turn helps protect your teeth against the damage done by acidic and sugary food and drink. Water is also a source of fluoride.
– Go beyond the brush. 42% of adults in the UK only leave their dental care to a toothbrush and some toothpaste, but you will see massive benefits if you take the next step. Flossing will get rid of all the debris that your toothbrush cannot easily reach. Do this once a day, and you’ll see results that will more than surprise you – and it’s almost effortless!