Having good oral health is important because it is a reflector of a your health in general. If your teeth and gums are in good condition, then you're more likely to feel confident about your appearance and less likely to suffer from issues that require a lot of assistance from the dentist in Tunbridge Wells. These issues can include bad breath, gum disease and tooth loss. This is a guide that explores the habits of a patient who has healthy teeth and gums, and which gives specific details on how to adopt those habits.
Regular routine at home
Brushing twice every day is an absolute must for anyone who wants to have a healthy mouth. They should use a medium bristled brush and a fluoride toothpaste. Brushes that are too soft can be ineffective, and those that are overly hard can remove some of the tooth enamel. Some people find that an electric toothbrush is much more effective at cleaning, especially as most models have a timer function that helps them to monitor how long they have been brushing for. If using a manual toothbrush, use a mobile phone or clock to time two minutes of brushing. It might seem simplistic, but many people do not brush for long enough and this can have a negative impact on oral health over time. Flossing once per day is also important. If in any doubt, it is a good idea to check flossing technique with the dentist. Doing this or using interdental brushes before going to bed is important to ensure that food debris and plaque are removed from the teeth.
Visit the dentist
Some people make the mistake of only going to see the dentist when they come across an issue with their teeth or gums. However, every patient can minimise the risk of any issues occurring in the first place by going for regular check-ups with the dentist in Tunbridge Wells. Visiting every 6 months or so can allow the dentist to identify any niggles before the patient is even aware of them. A cavity or gum disease in the earliest stages requires minimal treatment and therefore time and money, so the patient benefits from these check-ups in several ways. In addition, dentists are trained to spot the first signs of oral cancer. If this is found early on, then it is much easier to treat and much less likely to spread to other parts of the body.
Water consumption
Those with the best oral health usually drink water as their main beverage throughout the day. This has two main benefits. Firstly, most tap water contains fluoride. Fluoride is important for the protection of the enamel of the teeth and can help to decrease the risk of cavities developing. Secondly, water is always a better choice than fizzy drinks or juice. While these other beverages are fine as an occasional treat, drinking them throughout most days has a very negative effect on oral health. Fruit juices and carbonated drinks (even the sugar free ones) can erode the teeth and also cause staining.
