Discover the top tips for maintaining good oral hygiene and what your options are in London. Unfortunately many people struggle with their oral health, and maintaining good oral hygiene. Taking care of your mouth, teeth and gums does not have to be difficult. Through regular check-ups, maintaining a good dental health routine and understanding your options you can opt in for a healthier mouth and a more fulfilling smile.
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Ideally, most people should have 2 dentist appointments per year to help catch any potential issues early and maintain overall oral health. Our dental clinic in West London offers affordable dental check-up options for our existing patients and we always aim to book you in as soon as possible. Alongside our dentists we also have a fantastic team of dental hygienists who provide some of the best teeth cleaning in London.
Some of the benefits of regular dental check-ups include:
Your teeth need to be brushed at least twice per day using fluoride toothpaste. Make sure to brush for at least 2 minutes covering the surfaces of your teeth and aim to brush for at least 30 seconds for each quadrant of your mouth. Ensure that you:
If you find that you still have some problems with your brushing technique, it may be a good time to purchase an electric toothbrush. Electric toothbrushes take out a lot of the effort of teeth cleaning, they can time how long you take and some even measure the amount of pressure you apply and let you know if you are being too rough. (potential blog post for recommended toothbrush brands).
Flossing is a crucial part of maintaining optimal dental health, yet it's often overlooked by the average person. Some benefits of including flossing into your dental health routine include:
Use Enough Floss: Cut about 45cm of floss. Wind most of it around one of your middle fingers, and the rest around the opposite middle finger, leaving an inch or two to work with.
Hold the Floss Correctly: Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers.
Guide the Floss: Gently slide the floss between your teeth using a sawing motion. Be careful not to snap the floss into your gums.
Form a C Shape: Curve the floss into a C shape around each tooth and gently slide it under the gumline. Move the floss up and down against the side of each tooth.
Use a Clean Section: As you move from tooth to tooth, use a clean section of floss.
Traditional flossing can be difficult. If you struggle, there are alternatives that you can use such as:
Look for dental floss products available at London pharmacies and supermarkets, such as Boots or Superdrug, which often carry a wide range of options. For personalised oral care advice it is great to have your teeth cleaned by dental hygienists.
Maintaining a healthy diet is very important when preserving your dental health. What you eat and drink can significantly impact the condition of your teeth and gums which is why you should consider following some of our tips to maintain good oral hygiene, after all, not every meal deal needs to be accompanied by a sugary drink.
Some key decisions you should make in regards to your oral health include:
Reducing Sugar Intake: Intake of a lot of sugar is a leading cause of tooth decay. Bacteria in your mouth feed on sugar and can erode tooth enamel which will lead to more cavities.
According to the World Health Organisation, the recommended daily intake for added sugars should not make up more than 10% of you total daily energy intake. On average for adults this should be around 25 grams, and for children 12.
Common sources of added sugar include:
Sweets and desserts (cakes, cookies, and candies)
Breakfast cereals and granola bars
Flavoured yoghurts and dairy products
Sauces and condiments (ketchup, barbecue sauce)
Sugary drinks (sodas, energy drinks, and fruit juices)
Avoid Sugary Drinks: You may not realise it, but sugary drinks are one of the leading reasons for increased sugar intake. Many drinks that you may believe are healthy such as juices or even some health drinks can contain a lot of sugar. It is important to read the nutrition label on the food and drink that you intake to know exactly how much sugar it contains. Limit the intake of sugary beverages like sodas, energy drinks, and fruit juices. These drinks often contain high levels of sugar and acids that can damage tooth enamel.
Healthy Alternatives: Opt for water, milk, or unsweetened tea as these are all healthier options that contain less sugar.
Read Labels: Be mindful of hidden sugars in processed foods. Check food labels for added sugars, which can be listed as glucose, fructose, sucrose, and other sweeteners.
Snack Smart: Frequent snacking increases the risk of tooth decay because it exposes your teeth to sugars and acids throughout the day.
Choose Healthy Snacks: Select snacks that are low in sugar and beneficial for your teeth. Good options include raw vegetables, nuts, cheese, and yoghurt.
Timing Matters: If you do consume sugary snacks or drinks, try to have them with meals rather than between meals. Saliva production increases during meals, helping to neutralise acids and wash away food particles.