When you have a conversation with a person, do you make an effort not to open your mouth wide and show your teeth? Are you the type of person who represses a laugh or stifles a giggle because you are ashamed of your smile? That is no way to live. Let our team at Sheen Dental take care of your unique needs and problems, and improve your quality of life by bettering the state of your teeth, your oral health and hygiene, as well as providing you with the right tools to look after your mouth post-treatment.
Neglecting the basics
Despite there being so much information online and readily available, approximately 25% of British people fail to take proper care of their teeth, starting from the very basics: not brushing their teeth regularly or correctly.
So, if you do not already know, these are the steps and techniques you need to follow to attain a sparkling smile.
Brush your teeth twice a day, for a minimum of two minutes per brush, once at night and the other time during the day.
Brush at a 45-degree angle at the gumline; this way you are brushing your teeth and gums.
Remember also to brush the roof of your mouth and your tongue. Many people fail to clean here, where many bacteria live and multiply.
Do not skip out on your scheduled appointments to the dentist in Richmond, and if you are not already, start visiting us bi-annually. If there are problems with your teeth detected early enough, we can correct the issue before they become bigger ones.
Watch what you eat and drink
After you consume something, the food particles combined with saliva form a filmy fluid called plaque that sticks to your teeth. Contained within plaque are harmful bacteria that create acid from the starch and sugar in your food that can damage your enamel. The saliva in your mouth, however, protects your teeth by neutralising the acid. Foods with a high sugar count or frequent exposure to fizzy drinks make it difficult for your mouth to prevent the acid build-up, which can result in eventual tooth decay.
At the same time, drinks like tea, coffee and red wine, as well as smoking tend to stain and discolour your teeth.
Teeth-friendly teeth include nuts, chicken and vegetables, and to a cheese-lover’s delight, so is cheese. In fact, the dairy product helps the mouth to produce more saliva to fight off harmful bacteria.
Prevention is better than a cure
Oral health is linked to overall health and neglecting to adhere to recommend dental care practices could be detrimental. Studies have shown that there is a connection between poor dental health and specific diseases, namely diabetes, strokes and dementia.
Rather than treating and reacting to an issue at hand, focus on the obstacles preventing you from making your teeth a priority, and begin changing your habits, with the help of our dentist in Richmond.
There are likely many things that you would rather be doing than sitting in the waiting room of a dentist in Richmond, awaiting feedback on the prognosis of your teeth - but it is a necessity in life. Let us help you change your mentality of the dentist so that you make your oral health a priority.