Written by Dr Pradeep Sharma for Doctify
When you were younger, you were told a few basic things about maintaining a healthy smile. Brush twice a day and not too many sweets, we were told. As adults, we have to take responsibility for looking after our own dental health and hygiene and there are few other things to add to the checklist.
Below are ten tips from Dr Pradeep Sharma on how to maintain a healthy smile this year.
10 Top Tips
- Brush your teeth
It is important to brush your teeth at least 2 times a day for 2 minutes using a fluoride toothpaste. - Use floss or interdental brushes
Clean in between your teeth at least once a day. If you are not doing this then you are missing 35% of your teeth’s surfaces. - Change your tooth brush
Replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months or sooner if you notice the bristles are beginning to fray. - Beverages
Water and milk are best to drink however if you would like a soda or sugary/fizzy drinks then use a straw so that it can limit the time the beverage is in contact with your teeth. - Sugary snacks
It is best to avoid these altogether but if you must indulge then eat the sugary snacks at mealtimes. - When to brush
Wait one hour before until you brush your teeth after eating. Drinking and eating weakens teeth enamel, if you brush too soon it may cause tiny particles of enamel to be brushed away. - Staining
Avoid drinking red wine, coffee, foods with turmeric and smoking as these stain the teeth. Your dental hygienist will be able to look after this for you. - Stop smoking
Plain and simple smoking is detrimental to your general and oral health. - Teeth are not tools
Do not use your teeth to open up bags, cut labels or open bottles as it will damage teeth. Do not bite on hard objects such as ice, sweets, popcorn kernels, pens, etc. This can chip and crack teeth. - Visit your dentist
It is important to visit your dentist regularly to detect problems. Prevention is always better than cure. You will also be given advice on how best to maintain your oral health.
