Really easy ways to have healthier teeth

We understand how important it is for you to keep your smile bright and minimise the costs associated with dental care. The good news is there are some easy ways to do it – here are our top 8 tips for having healthier teeth and gums.

1. Brush your teeth twice a day. We recommend brushing in the morning before breakfast and again before bed. An electric toothbrush can be a good investment as it makes it easier to brush effectively. Make sure you brush for at least 2 minutes, concentrating on reaching every tooth surface and along the gum line.
2.  Only eat sugary, starchy or acidic foods at mealtimes. A healthy diet will help keep teeth and gums healthy, but even these foods can lead to cavities if you graze on them all throughout the day. Instead, choose tooth-friendly snacks and limit everything else to mealtimes only.
3. Drink plenty of water. Water is completely safe for teeth and helps to wash away sugars, acids and food particles that could lead to tooth decay. A glass of water is a great way to finish every meal, while sipping it during the day will help keep your mouth clean and breath fresh.
4. Spit after brushing your teeth, but don’t rinse. Modern fluoride toothpastes have a protective effect on teeth. Allowing a trace of toothpaste to remain can help protect your tooth enamel, so we now advise people not to rinse after brushing.
5. Don’t forget your tongue. It’s easy to forget that your tongue occupies a huge part of your mouth as well. Brush the top surface of your tongue as part of your tooth-brushing routine to help remove bacteria and bits of food that could cause tooth decay or bad breath.
6. Choose drinks carefully. Fruity or fizzy drinks can be very acidic, which erodes the protective enamel on teeth. Alcoholic drinks can also be a problem, because of high sugar or acid levels. Safer choices are water, unsweetened milky drinks, coffee and tea. If you get stains, these can be removed by a hygienist. Read our party drinks blog post for more ideas.
7. Floss regularly. Flossing helps to remove plaque and food particles from between teeth and maintains gum health. Flossing once a day is ideal, but if you can’t manage that, try to floss at least 3-4 times a week. Sometimes dental floss isn’t the best option – it can be more effective to use interdental tape or brushes instead. Ask your hygienist to advise you.
8. Visit your dentist and hygienist for regular check-ups. Catching problems early means that any issue can be dealt with before it spreads. If you do have a problem, our friendly team can put you at your ease and will treat you gently and with expertise. We’ll soon get you smiling again!