How to keep your teeth and mouth healthy

Want advice on how to keep your teeth healthy? Check out our dental care tips.

Looking after your teeth isn’t difficult – and, here at Kiln Lane Dental, we believe that simple habits are the key to maintaining good oral health. After all, prevention is always better than cure.

Our team of experts are full of useful dental care tips and, here, they recommend what you should be doing on a daily, weekly and monthly basis to make the most of your smile.

A guide to looking after your teeth and mouth

  1. Have regular dental check-ups

Routine examinations are crucial. In fact, to properly care for your teeth, you should aim to visit the dentist at least once or twice a year. Not only does this complement your overall oral health, but it can also help to detect dental issues in their early stages – making them much easier to treat.

As soon as you receive an appointment reminder, pick up the phone and book yourself in. That way, you’re less likely to forget. Monthly membership plans, such as those available at Kiln Lane, are also a great way to make sure you get regular check-ups. Both routine examinations and hygiene maintenance are included in the price and you’ll gain priority access to emergency appointments.

date of check-up to care for your teeth

  1. Brush your teeth regularly

Brushing your teeth is the best way to avoid a plaque build-up. It doesn’t matter whether you use a manual or an electric toothbrush (this is personal preference). Just be sure to brush at least twice a day, including once in the morning and once in the evening, immediately before you go to bed.

To keep your teeth healthy, you should always use a fluoride toothpaste and we recommend brushing for a minimum of two minutes. This can feel like a long time – but it’s important to be thorough and you need to make sure every surface (of every tooth) has been covered. Online tools are available to help you brush for the right amount of time.

Once the two minutes is up, spit out the excess toothpaste – but never rinse your mouth with water. This can actually wash away the fluoride and, as such, will reduce its beneficial effects.

  1. Remember to floss

Flossing is an effective way to remove food debris and plaque that you can’t reach with a toothbrush. Simply break off a small piece of floss (approximately 45cm long) and use a gentle ‘rocking motion’ to guide it between the teeth. Then, once you’ve reached the gum, curve it into a c-shape and pull it gradually back – taking care to scrape along the side of the tooth as you go.

This technique can be a little tricky to master. But, to take good care of your teeth, it’s highly worthwhile and we find that most people tend to get better with practice.

woman taking care of her teeth by flossing

  1. Invest in mouthwash

When was the last time you used mouthwash? A while ago? You’re not alone. Lots of people forget to incorporate it into their daily routine – but it’s actually very good for your oral health. Not only can it help to clean your teeth, it can also reduce mouth acid and prevent tooth decay.

Be sure to choose a mouthwash with a high fluoride concentration and, to avoid washing away the fluoride in toothpaste, use it separately to brushing (e.g. after lunch).

  1. Eat and drink well

Sugary foods can, over time, erode the enamel and lead to a range of dental problems (e.g. decay, cavities). There’s no need to avoid these foods entirely; but, to look after your teeth, it’s usually worth cutting back a little and being mindful of your diet. Perhaps you could swap your afternoon biscuit for an oatcake? Or ditch the chocolate bars in favour of a crunchy piece of fruit?

Drinks can be just as bad – particularly fizzy sodas, sweetened juices and squashes. Again, you should try to limit your intake of these as much as possible and opt for a glass of tap water instead.

Get in touch for further dental care tips

If you would like to find out more about how to keep your teeth healthy, or wish to book a check-up at our St Helens dental practice, feel free to get in touch. Our specialists are always happy to help. They can offer further advice and information on dental care and will schedule you in for a routine examination with our dentists. Either give us a call on 01744 25776 or send an email to info@kilnlanedental.co.uk.