In this article, we will share some of our dental knowledge, providing tips on how to help keep your teeth and gums healthy. We will outline some practices that will help improve and support the well-being of your teeth and gums. These practices should be carried out on a regular basis, hopefully forging into your everyday routine.
As a dental practice, we have witnessed first-hand how simple lifestyle changes can significantly contribute to improved oral and general health. The practices we encourage are pretty straightforward, causing little to no disruption to your lifestyle.
Healthy Diet
A healthy diet is not just great for your overall well-being. It can also significantly impact your oral health. Changing just a few lifestyle habits can make a big difference.
Dietary Habits To Incorporate
- Consume foods that are rich in calcium (milk, leafy greens).
- Consume foods that are rich in vitamins C and D.
- Try to include phosphorus-rich foods to complement calcium (fish, nuts).
- Salava-generating foods and drinking water after consuming food.
Dietary Habits To Avoid
- Avoid hard foods that can damage your teeth, such as hard-boiled sweets.
- Limit your intake of foods high in acidity.
- Limit foods that are sugary, such as certain soft drinks.
- Sticky foods can also cause issues by clinging to your teeth.
Regular Dental Visits
Sometimes, we may have underlying issues with our teeth and gums that we are unaware of, symptoms can sometimes be minimal. As a general industry standard, it is advised (NHS) that you should visit a dentist at least twice a year.
Below are a few benefits associated with regular checkups.
- Identification of potential oral-related problems at an early stage before they progress.
- Treatment such as to fix the affected area and prevent further deterioration.
- Professional oral advice.
- Cleaning of your teeth by a specialist.
As we have already written an article dedicated to this topic, the importance of regular dental visits, only the core benefits have been included in this article.
Rinse Your Mouth
A simple task such as rinsing your mouth after eating food can reap numerous benefits. However, this should be practised with other oral cleaning practices such as brushing and flossing. Some benefits that regular rinsing can bring include:
- Helps remove food between your teeth and gums after eating.
- Rinses away bacteria.
- The water will help neutralise the acids on your teeth.
- The removal of foods and bacteria can help freshen your breath.
- It can help keep your mouth hydrated.
Regular Brushing of Teeth
The importance of cleaning your teeth can't be underestimated. This must be carried out regularly and at least twice a day for two minutes at a time (minimum). Consequently, we have an article dedicated to 'Brushing Your Teeth Properly.'
Sports Protection
The borough of Richmond Upon Thames is a sporting hub, and unfortunately, we have witnessed too many sports-related oral injuries. When engaging in sports, it is vital to ensure you are wearing adequate protection.
- Mouthguards help to shield teeth and gums.
- They can also help protect dental work and appliances.
- Wear faceguards in hockey.
- Wear helmets when engaging in activities such as American Football.
How Can Protective Gear Help?
- A gum shield will absorb some of the impact and spare your teeth from taking the brunt of the force.
- Again, a gum shield will help distribute the force over a larger area, lessening the effects on a single tooth.
- Helmets can shield your entire mouth from objects and direct hits.
Summary
By adopting some or all of the above tips, you are taking a step in improving your dental health. If you have any questions relating to this article or any dental-related questions, please get in touch with our friendly practice anytime.