How to keep teeth healthy

People are becoming more aware of the importance of keeping their teeth and gums healthy. By doing so, a person can be more confident about their appearance. Secondly, here at Widnes Dental Practice, we promote good oral health as a gateway to good general health for the whole body. Here is a guide from the dentist in Widnes on how best to take care of the teeth.

Brush and floss

At the dentist in Widnes, we encourage all of our patients to brush their teeth twice a day. This should be done with good fluoride toothpaste. Those who drink coffee in the mornings are advised to wait at least 30 minutes before brushing as doing so before then can cause some damage to the teeth due to the acidity of the beverage. Flossing should be completed once per day, or the patient can use interdental brushes as an alternative. If using the interdental brushes, consult with us about the correct size to use.

It is important to brush your teeth for around two minutes per day. Doing so for less than two minutes will not be enough time to ensure the teeth are properly clean, and brushing for longer can cause damage. Those who brush for 3 or 4 minutes could compromise the enamel on their teeth, and this is an important protective substance that helps to maintain oral health.

Be careful about foods and drinks

Eating a lot of sugary foods can cause cavities and decay, so it is best to limit these to occasional treats only. Fizzy drinks, including diet ones that have sweeteners instead of sugar, can erode the enamel of the teeth. This makes them more vulnerable to becoming damaged and can also result in the patient developing sensitive teeth.

See the dentist

We advise our patients to make regular appointments with the dentist in Widnes. Rather than waiting for a problem to crop up, people should come to see us for a check-up. This means that we can check that the teeth and gums are in good condition and identify any potential issues before they result in discomfort for the patient.

We can also give the teeth a scale and polish, which helps to remove any plaque that is difficult to reach. A good professional clean will also remove any staining caused by food or drinks and can help to make the smile appear much brighter and whiter.

Regular check-ups also give our patients the opportunity to discuss any cosmetic issues that are affecting their confidence. For example, a person might have felt self-conscious for many years about having teeth that are crooked or misaligned.

We can conduct a thorough assessment and advise on the next steps to take. Braces or even clear aligners could be an option, and it is usually much more straightforward than people think to get this kind of treatment.

We can help to ensure that a person has the healthiest and brightest smile possible, it’s simply a matter of making an appointment to get things started!