What you need to know about caring for your teeth

Taking care of your teeth needn’t be a chore. With a few simple habits, you can optimise dental care and keep trips to the dentist at a minimum. In today’s blog, we’re sharing all our dental advice on how to best care for your teeth.

Brushing twice a day is a must

One in four adults admits they don’t brush twice a day and one in 10 say they regularly forget. When you brush your teeth, you remove any plaque that’s started to build up– and in turn help to prevent long-term issues. Tooth brushing also helps prevent issues like bad breath.

We recommend brushing twice a day using an electric toothbrush. Electric toothbrushes are better than manual toothbrushes at cleaning your teeth and ensure optimum oral hygiene.

Flossing daily is important too

Less than a quarter of adults floss regularly – but unfortunately, brushing doesn’t always get to all those hard-to-reach areas in between your teeth. You’ll also need to floss. Whether you choose dental floss or interdental brushes, it doesn’t matter. Both can be used to remove plaque and food build-up in between your teeth.

We recommend flossing once daily – at a time to suit you. If you find that you’re too tired to floss in the evenings, why not floss straight after dinner or after brushing your teeth in the morning?

Your diet affects your teeth too… not just your waistline

We all know that a diet high in sugar can affect our waistlines, but did you know that sugar could damage your teeth too? Sugary and acidic foods can play havoc with your teeth and encourage decay.

It’s important to limit the consumption of both of these foods. Snacking on these types of food isn’t recommended either, as it’s in between meals that your teeth are remineralised by saliva. If you can’t resist the sweet stuff, treat yourself to a little bit of it during meal times.

Ditch those bad habits

Smoking and alcohol affect both your health and mouth. Smoking increases your risk of gum disease and also stains your teeth. Likewise, many alcoholic drinks like white wine are known for their teeth-staining properties too. You’ve also got to look out for sugary alcoholic drinks. Many alcopops and cocktails are full of sugar, which can cause dental erosion.

Don’t forget your bi-annual check-up at the dentist!

Only 61% of adults in England visit their dentist regularly, but visiting your dentist regularly will help ensure good oral hygiene. Your dentist will be able to spot any potential issues early on – making them easy to treat. At AP Smilecare, we can also advise on cosmetic issues too. So, if you want your teeth whitening or you’re interested in adult braces, we’ve got the perfect solution for you.

Your dental hygienist can help too…

Your dental hygienist has access to some of the best tools in the trade. The tools they use to scale and polish your teeth can help remove any stubborn plaque that hasn’t been removed by regular brushing and flossing. They can also advise on the best way to brush and floss your teeth.

For stress-free, budget-friendly dental care, why not take advantage of our Denplan packages?

Why not share your dental routine with the team at AP Smilecare. We’d love to know what you do to get the most out of your smile! Get in touch with us on Twitter @APSmilecare