Ten tips for healthier teeth

It’s important to take care of your teeth.

If you look after your teeth, they can last a lifetime. But if you don’t, then a dentist might be fitting you for dentures at some point in the not-too-distant future.

In this month’s post, we’ll give you ten tips on how to take care of your teeth.

1. Brush twice a day

Brushing is the number one thing you can do to prevent tooth decay.

You should brush your teeth twice a day – once at night and once at another time of the day, such as after breakfast.

2. Use a soft toothbrush

Soft toothbrushes are good for two reasons:

  • Safer. They’re safer than hard toothbrushes because they’re less abrasive for your teeth and gums.
  • More efficient. They clean your teeth better. A soft-bristled toothbrush with a very soft circular motion will do a better job at cleaning your teeth than a hard-bristled one.

3. Use plaque disclosing tablets

You can find out how good (or bad) you are at brushing by using plaque disclosing tablets. They will stain the plaque on your teeth purple to let you see where you aren’t brushing properly. It can be a real eye-opener to see how much plaque you have on your teeth!

Plaque disclosing tablets are available at most chemists and dental clinics.

4. Floss

Flossing is a great way to get stubborn bits of food out from between your teeth. That’s why we recommend flossing once a day.

5. …but don’t floss too hard

But don’t be too forceful when you floss as you could damage your teeth. The best way to floss is gently.

6. Don’t brush after eating acidic foods

It’s good to brush your teeth, but there’s one exception: don’t brush after eating acidic foods. You should never brush after eating or drinking anything acidic like lemons or orange juice. This is because the acid temporarily weakens your enamel, and if you brush straight away then you can damage the enamel.

So after eating anything acidic, it’s best to wait thirty minutes to an hour before brushing your teeth.

7. Eat sugar less often

Everyone knows that sugar is bad for your teeth. But did you know that how often you eat sugar matters more than how much you eat? If you snack on sugar throughout the day, it’s much worse for your teeth than eating a whole load of sugar in one go. This is because constant snacking on sugar will bathe your teeth in sugar for a long time, increasing your risk of cavities.

So try not to snack on sugary treats throughout the day – keep sweet treats to mealtimes instead.

8. Don’t smoke

Smoking is bad for your health and your teeth. Don’t do it.

9. See your dentist twice a year

Make sure to go to the dentist twice a year for checkups. You might think it’s not necessary to go this often, but actually, it’s the best way to catch problems early before they get worse. In fact, frequent dental check-ups mean you’ll need less treatment in the long run.

10. Don’t rinse your mouth straight after brushing

When it comes to mouthwash, most people brush their teeth first and then use mouthwash straight afterwards. But this isn’t the best way. It removes the residual toothpaste from your teeth, which would have protected your teeth otherwise. Instead, it’s best to use mouthwash before brushing your teeth.

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