How should I take care of my teeth?

Using the right toothpaste is only one part of taking excellent care of your teeth. And taking care of your teeth is worth doing so that you don't develop gum disease or dental decay and have to have teeth removed.

Brushing your teeth has to be done correctly for it to remove the plaque that will be on your teeth. You should brush at least twice a day, using a fluoride enriched toothpaste. When you brush, do it for about three minutes and be sure to cover all areas of your mouth.

You should remember to floss between your teeth as well. Flossing is very important for the health of your mouth as it removes plaque and debris from the parts of your mouth that your toothbrush will not be able to reach. It might be a little painful if you haven't done it before, as the floss might lacerate the gums between the teeth. But this should stop after a few times as the gum there becomes hardened.

The aim of brushing and flossing is of course the remove as much plaque as possible from the mouth. Plaque left on teeth can cause cavities to form which will need to be filled. Gum disease can result from plaque too and this is a greater cause of tooth loss than dental decay itself. Your gums will become inflamed if plaque is left on the gum line of teeth. This inflammation can then spread to the bones holding teeth in place.

It is helpful then to try and eat less of the food and drink which cause the most plaque to be produced. It is sugary and starchy substances which create the most plaque in the mouth. While we all know about sweets and soft drinks, some will be surprised to hear that fruit is also a significant producer of plaque too. Fruit is otherwise very healthy and should not be avoided but you might want to consider eating a little cheese or milk after fruit; dairy products help to remove some of the plaque.

It is no wonder then that some people choose to brush their teeth after meals too. Chewing chewing gum can be helpful in situations where brushing is not possible but you want to do something to remove some of the plaque after eating a meal. The motion dislodges some of the plaque and debris and the stimulus that chewing gives to saliva production, helps your mouth's natural defences.

The best piece of advice when it comes to taking care of your teeth is to get into the habit of visiting your dentist every six months. Allowing your mouth to be thoroughly checked over by a dedicated and trained expert is a vital part of your oral hygiene routine. Sometimes there might be a problem with your teeth or gums that you simply haven't noticed; your dentist will be able to spot it and deal with it immediately. Things like plaque build ups and basic gum disease are not serious in themselves and can be dealt with easily. But if they progress then the consequences can be much worse and the conditions become more difficult to treat. So book an appointment to see your local dentist today!