Tooth decay is avoidable. Here are some tips to help you look after your teeth.
The first step is making sure you are registered with a dentist. You need to see your dentist every year, or as often as they recommend.
Doing the following will help make sure your teeth are well looked after and last well into your later life.
Brushing
Brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes, and always before you go to bed. Spit but don’t rinse afterwards as the fluoride in the toothpaste will help your teeth.
Clean between your teeth with ‘interdental’ brushes or floss at least once a day as this removes food and plaque from between your teeth. If you want, you can use a fluoride mouthwash between meals for extra protection.
Eating
Eat healthy foods and limit intake of sugary drinks. Water and milk are best to drink between meals.
Wait for 30 minutes after eating or drinking anything with acid before you brush your teeth. You can also chew a sugar-free gum after eating as this will make more saliva, which will cancel out the acids that form in your mouth after eating.
Avoid smoking
Smoking can cause tooth staining, gum disease, tooth loss, and more seriously, mouth cancer. Smoking is also one of the main causes of bad breath.
Do not take alcohol
Alcoholic drinks increase the risk of tooth decay as most of them contain lots of sugar. Regularly drinking alcohol can also increase the risk of mouth cancer.
Oral piercings
There are many issues caused by oral piercings, including infections, the piercing chipping and breaking teeth, swelling of the tongue and difficulty eating and swallowing. They can also wear your teeth down and cause dental sensitivity.
Home teeth whitening kits
Always seek advice from your dentist as some kits are not safe or effective.
