1 Brush at least twice a day
Brush your teeth at least twice a day. Eating foods high in sugar or
starches too often during the day can play a part in tooth decay. So
don’t nibble foods and sip drinks all day long! Sugar-free chewing gum
can help you keep your teeth healthy. However, the best way to keep a
nice smile is to brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
Also, after brushing your teeth at bedtime, don’t eat any food, or
drink anything but water! View more...
2 Use fluoridated toothpaste
The amount of fluoride in toothpaste is usually enough to reduce decay. In areas where the water supply has fluoride added, fluoride toothpaste gives extra protection. Parents should supervise their children's brushing, and use only a pea-sized smear of fluoride toothpaste until they are about 7 years old.View more...
3 Brush thoroughly.
- Clean the outer surfaces of your upper teeth, then your lower teeth
- Clean the inner surfaces of your upper teeth, then your lower teeth
- Clean the chewing surfaces
- For fresher breath, be sure to brush your tongue, too
4 Floss your teeth daily.
Brush at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste for at least two minutes, especially first thing in the morning and before bedtime
Floss every day – usually at bedtime
Limit the number of times you eat snacks each day
Visit your dentist every six months for an oral exam and professional cleaning. View more...
5 Limit acidic drinks
If you drink acidic drinks frequently, you are at risk of eroding the enamel on your teeth and causing dental decay. To minimise any possible damage limit your intake of acidic drinks – pH 7 is neutral. Any figure lower than this is acidic. The lower the number the more acidic, and therefore, damaging the drink may be.
Try to drink mainly still water if possible.
Dilute fresh fruit juices/diluting juices as much as possible.
Try and limit fizzy juices/herbal teas and other drinks below pH 3.9 to one glass/can per day if possible
Do not clean your teeth straight after drinking acidic drinks (Preferably wait 1/2 an hour).
There is some evidence to suggest that chewing sugar free gum helps your mouth neutralise acids quicker and may, therefore, minimise any damage done. View more...
6 Limit sugary foods.
Dental caries occurs when acid-producing bacteria (especially Mutans streptococci and Lactobacilli species) dominate the sticky coating (plaque) on the surface of the tooth. These bacteria convert fermentable carbohydrates such as glucose, fructose, sucrose and cooked starches into lactic acid, thus making plaque acidic. The acidic plaque causes demineralisation of the tooth enamel and the underlying dentine. This eventually leads to loss of tooth structure and further bacterial invasion.
7 Protect your teeth from injury.
If you’re in danger of getting a dental injury through high-impact sports and don’t use any protection, you’re potentially leaving yourself open to painful and costly dental work in the long run.
Good quality sports mouthguards can minimise the risk of your teeth getting chipped, broken, or even dislodged completely. But with a huge variety of options out there, choosing the right mouthguard is important. You want to make sure you’re getting adequate protection as well as comfort. Read on to find out why you should get a mouthguard, what they can help you with, and the different options that are available to you. View more...
8 Try to save a knocked out tooth.
When a tooth has been knocked out, the nerves, blood vessels and supporting tissues are damaged, too. The nerves and blood vessels can't be repaired. That is why all avulsed teeth will need a root canal. However, the bone can reattach to the root of the tooth once it's put back into place.
The odds of saving a tooth are highest in young children, but adult teeth can be saved as well. Only permanent teeth should be re-implanted. View more...
9 Avoid using your teeth for anything other than chewing food.
If you use them to crack nuts, remove bottle tops or rip open packaging, you risk chipping or even breaking your teeth. View more...
10 See your dentist for regular check-ups
A check-up, which involves a thorough examination of your teeth, gums and mouth, will prevent minor problems from becoming major ones. At Bupa Dental, we recommend six monthly check ups with your dentist, which when supported by a good at-home routine, will help to keep your mouth healthy.
Nowadays, a regular examination uses both modern technology and the dentist’s up-to-the-minute knowledge and skills, all in a virtually pain-free environment. View more...
.
