Here are our handy tips and tricks for a health and happy smile!
#1 Start with the basics; develop a solid brushing and flossing routine
- It may seem simple, but sometimes the most mundane tasks are the hardest to keep consistent with! Most people are aware that brushing twice a day and flossing once a day are essential steps in a good oral hygiene routine, however it is easy to do these tasks on autopilot, without really concentrating on doing them well and consistently.
- Ensure you are brushing for a full two minutes twice a day using the proper technique (don’t be afraid to ask your dentist/hygienist for a refresher on this at your next dental visit!).
- Flossing should be done once a day (or the use of interdental brushes), preferably before you brush your teeth at the end of the day. This means that the debris and food particles that we have dislodged from in between the teeth during flossing, can be brushed away and removed from the mouth.
- While flossing in the evening is usually convenient, it is important to create a routine that works for you; the best time to floss is whenever you can make time to do it properly.
#2 When you brush makes a difference
- This may be surprising for some, but it is recommended to always brush your teeth before eating breakfast, not after!
- Brushing your teeth before eating in the morning removes the bacteria produced in the mouth overnight and creates a protective layer over your tooth enamel (when fluoride toothpaste is used), acting like a barrier against any acidic food we then eat at breakfast.
- Brushing first thing in the morning also boosts saliva production, which helps to break down the food we eat and to get rid of harmful bacteria in the mouth.
- If you really want to brush after breakfast instead, it is recommended to wait at least 30 to 60 minutes after eating.
- This is because certain foods (especially high carbohydrate and acidic foods) can weaken the enamel; by brushing immediately after you consume them, this can further damage the already weakened enamel, and lead to acid erosion long-term.
- Instead of waiting 30-60 minutes, you can brush before eating, have breakfast, and then rinse with just water after breakfast, helping to wash away any acidic residue left after eating.
#3 Spit, don’t rinse
- Most people will rinse out with water after brushing, but try and avoid this habit if you can.
- Try spitting out your toothpaste after brushing and not rinsing with water; this ensures that the fluoride in your toothpaste leaves a protective film on the teeth, allowing it to be more effective in preventing decay.
#4 Change your toothbrush/brush head regularly
- Ideally your toothbrush (or the brush head for your electric toothbrush) should be changed every 3-4 months.
- You may want to replace your toothbrush sooner than this if you have recently been ill, or if the bristles have become frayed and physically worn, as frayed bristles will not be as effective at removing plaque and debris.
#5 Stay consistent with flossing
- Easier said than done, right? When we do some form of interdental cleaning, whether with floss, floss harps, or interdental brushes, we are removing the debris and plaque in between the teeth. If not removed, this plaque hardens into tartar and causes inflammation of the gums, which can lead to gingivitis and further periodontal issues if not addressed.
- This buildup of tartar makes cleaning your teeth more difficult, and trying to remove it when it has been left to build up can be painful and cause bleeding and inflammation of the gums.
- This is why when someone returns to flossing after a period without cleaning interdentally, the gums may be sore and bleed, which can discourage people from keeping up the habit.
- However, this bleeding and inflammation after a period of not flossing is completely normal, and as the gums heal and strengthen this will subside, usually within just a week or two of consistent interdental cleaning (if it persists for longer than this, it is best to seek advice from a dental professional).
- This is why it is so important to overcome the initial discomfort, allowing the gums to become stronger and healthier through a consistent interdental cleaning routine.
#6 Avoid damaging habits, and introduce healthy ones
- Small and simple changes to your diet and lifestyle can make a huge difference to the health of your smile.
- Consumption of high-sugar foods such as sweets and sugary drinks should be limited and ideally be eaten only at/straight after mealtimes, rather than snacking throughout the day.
- Try to limit sweet/fizzy drinks, fruit juices and diluted drinks where possible as they can cause tooth decay and enamel erosion, even “low sugar”, “no added sugar” and “diet” drinks- as they are still acidic.
- Avoid brushing within an hour of consuming fruit, juices or fizzy drinks including sparkling water to prevent enamel erosion. Rinsing with water or a fluoride mouthwash or chewing sugar-free gum after acidic foods is also beneficial.
- Opt for sugar-free chewing gum and mints as alternatives to sweets, which can help prevent dental decay.
#7 Consider lifestyle changes
- While the health risks associated with smoking are well known, many people do not realise the damage that smoking can do to their mouth, teeth and gums.
- Smoking (& other nicotine products such as vapes and pouches) can lead to tooth staining and discolouration, bad breath, dulled sense of taste and smell, gum disease, tooth loss and mouth cancer.
- Smoking can also negatively affect the success of dental treatment such as implant placement, and may slow down the healing process after a tooth extraction or other surgery.
- Quitting smoking is the only way to reduce the risk of tobacco related health issues, including damage to your oral health. If you are considering quitting smoking, visit https://www.nicorette.ie/how-to-quit-smoking to help you on your journey.
#8 Try stress reduction techniques
- Teeth grinding (also known as bruxism), is a condition where a person clenches/grinds their teeth, and can lead to jaw pain, fractured or chipped teeth, and worn enamel.
- While bruxism can occur during the day, it also happens during sleep, which is why some people may not be aware of it until they experience the associated symptoms.
- Although many factors can influence teeth grinding, stress is a common trigger- clenching throughout the day and at night can be greatly influenced by our mood & stress levels.
- Stress reduction techniques such as mindfulness and meditation can have a positive impact on our health overall, but they can also lessen the effects of bruxism on our dental health.
#9 When in doubt, check with your dentist
- Looking after our patients is our number one priority, so don’t be afraid to get in touch with us!
- Whether you are looking for product recommendations, the due date of your next appointment, or you have a question that you would like some advice on, our clinical and patient care team are happy to help with any queries you may have.
#10 Don’t wait until pain starts- get ahead of it!
- It is common for people to put dental issues on the long finger and wait until something becomes urgent to get in touch, but we promise getting ahead of dental issues before they become an actual problem is always the best approach!
- Even if you are not in pain and feel as though you have no dental issues at present, it is still essential to visit the dentist for a full dental examination once per calendar year.
- A yearly dental examination will ensure that any potential need for treatment is detected early and dealt with promptly, lowering the chances of an unexpected dental emergency.
- Remember, just because a broken tooth or lost filling is not causing any pain now, does not mean it won’t in future! Having issues assessed with a dentist as soon as possible will allow for the best chances of success in treating these issues, and hopefully avoid pain before it starts.