Blog

We are in unprecedented times, and to support our NHS and to reduce the spread of the Covid 19 pandemic, the UK public have been placed in lockdown. This has meant local businesses and dentists needing to close their doors.

Here at Dentistry@68 in Poole, we are closely following government guidelines as to when we can re-open and are working hard behind the scenes to make sure we ensure your safety at our practice when we can open again, which we hope will be in the very near future.

In the meantime, we would like to offer you some top tips to look after your oral hygiene at home, until you can visit your dentist or get a hygienist appointment with us again.

1. Your toothbrush

Toothbrushes or toothbrush heads, if you use an electric brush, need to be changed every 3 months or when there is any splaying of the bristles. This will ensure the bristles are positioned where they should be for ultimate cleaning.

The brush you choose should be small enough for the head and bristles to get into the crevices of your molars, where food debris can remain. It is a good idea to use a soft-medium bristled brush, which protects your tooth enamel and gums. Store the toothbrush in an upright position to allow it to air dry until the next use.

2. Cleaning method

Brush for 2 minutes twice a day. It is a good idea to split the mouth into 4 sections in your mind, and spend 30 seconds on each area. The toothbrush should be used at a 45-degree angle, so that you clean the tooth surface and the gum line. All areas of the teeth should be brushed, including the inside surface of the teeth and the chewing areas.

You should also brush your tongue, as this hosts bacteria, and can cause bad breath if not cleaned regularly. You can buy tongue scrapers, or use your toothbrush, but make sure to rinse it well afterwards.

3. How to floss

Flossing is so important for getting rid of food residue that gets stuck within the teeth and can start to cause decay and gum disease. You should try to floss at least once a day. You can use dental floss and just work your way along the piece of floss, using a clean section for each tooth.

If your teeth are quite close together, satin tape floss is the preferable one to use, as it can squeeze between tighter gaps in the teeth. You can also buy interdental brushes from chemists, which are available in thinner and thicker sizes, depending on the gaps between your teeth.

4. How to clean your braces

If you have braces, then it is important to keep them clear of plaque. It is best to clean them after every meal, as well as in the morning and evening.

Start by brushing under the braces and then move onto the top of the braces. If you use a 45- degree angle, this will be most effective at getting to the tooth behind the brackets. Then, clean the other surfaces of your teeth. Flossing whilst wearing braces is also essential but you may find that floss picks or brushes are easier than traditional floss tape and water flossers are also good to use.

5. Kids oral care

It is never too early to start with oral care for your little ones. You can even wipe a damp cloth around a baby’s gums, which will eliminate any sugars gathering on them. Once a baby has teeth, you can brush them twice a day with a soft, special baby toothbrush. You use a piece of fluoride toothpaste the size of a grain of rice. Children can use a pea-sized amount once they get between 3-6 years of age.

Parents should brush their children’s teeth for them, until the child is completely able to clean them thoroughly, and even then, it is a good idea to keep an eye on their brushing technique every now and then.

6. Balanced & healthy diet

Eating a healthy diet with plenty of fresh vegetables and fruit provides your teeth with the nutrients they need. Dairy products contain calcium, which strengthens tooth enamel and reduces decay and erosion. If you eat crunchy fruit and veg, such as carrots and apples, they act as a natural toothbrush and get rid of stuck on food debris.

7. Reduce sugar and alcohol

If you can also limit your sugar and alcohol intake, your teeth will thank you. It is better to eat 3 meals a day rather than graze on smaller meals and snacks throughout the day. This is because when we eat, the sugars from the foods or drinks reacts with the bacteria in the tooth plaque and creates acids, which dissolve the enamel of the teeth and can cause cavities and decay.

8. Chew sugar free gum

Chewing sugar free gum after meals can help your teeth. If the gum contains xylitol, it a is a sweetener that reduces the chance of decay and gum disease as it makes bacteria die. The action of chewing gum also increases saliva production, which can remineralise your teeth, helping keep the teeth stronger and also acting as a breath freshener.

9. Drink more water

Water is well known to be the best beverage for your health, and this includes your oral health. Dehydration weakens a person’s immune system and can make your breath smell. It is a good idea to drink water after every meal. This helps to wash out some of the sugar acids from forming on the teeth.

10. Quit smoking

Smoking damages health in so many ways, but it also leads to a yellowing of the teeth and tongue. It can cause bad breath and can prematurely age you, especially around the mouth area. Smoking also affects the body’s immune system, which makes it harder for the body to heal tissues, including those in your mouth.

These are some of our top tips to keeping yourself and your mouth healthy during this time and until we can meet again. In the meantime, the most important thing to do is to stay safe and well.

From us all at the team at Dentistry@68 in Poole.