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Healthy smiles
‘Clean between your teeth once a day’: how to maintain good oral health at home
Not been able to see your dentist for some time? Here’s the hygiene tweaks you should make for a brighter smile
You brush your teeth for two minutes, twice a day, so everything should be hunky-dory, right? Chances are, if you haven’t seen your dentist or hygienist for a while due to Covid-19, you may not be feeling as confident as usual about your oral health. But, aside from remembering to buy toothpaste, surely there’s not much else you can do at home?
Not so, say the experts. “Good dental health is a mixture of the care of your dentist and personal at-home oral hygiene, meaning everyday decisions can make a big difference in preventing many common problems,” says Elaine Tilling, TePe’s head of clinical education.
The problem you should tackle right now? Gum disease. “Many people don’t give their gums a second thought, but most adults in the UK will have gum disease to some degree,” says Tilling. “Plaque – an invisible bacterial film that develops on your teeth every day – is the main cause. And, if that plaque isn’t brushed away, it can build up and irritate your gums, making them swollen and bleed easily, and sometimes sore and infected.”
The tell-tale sign of problems? Blood in the sink after brushing, or bad breath, which suggests you’re in the early stage of gum disease, known as gingivitis. “Healthy gums don’t bleed when you brush or clean between your teeth,” says Tilling. “Many of us don’t act on this blood because bleeding after brushing is so common that it is considered normal – unlike other dental problems such as toothache or sensitivity, it isn’t painful. However, it’s a sign of an issue that needs addressing.”
Untreated gingivitis can develop into periodontitis, which can ultimately cause teeth to become loose and fall out. Not only that, if gum disease is left to become severe, it can trigger inflammation, which can increase your risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and other serious conditions. The hormones associated with pregnancy can make some women susceptible to gum problems, which is why it’s especially important to look after your teeth and gums if you’re pregnant (NHS dental care is free for pregnant women and during the 12 months after you’ve given birth).
So, if you don’t want to add “neglected my teeth” to the countless list of reasons why 2020 has not been the best year, don’t brush off your concerns. First up, it’s useful to know that your toothbrush only cleans the inside, outside and biting surfaces of the tooth, which is roughly 60% of the tooth’s surface. This means that up to 40% of surfaces can remain untouched, and it’s often here that dental plaque and bacteria build up. Within 24 to 36 hours, that plaque becomes more potent to the gums and teeth. Plaque buildup hardens into tartar over time, which can only be removed by professional cleaning by your dentist or hygienist.
source guardian
‘Clean between your teeth once a day’: how to maintain good oral health at home
Not been able to see your dentist for some time? Here’s the hygiene tweaks you should make for a brighter smile
You brush your teeth for two minutes, twice a day, so everything should be hunky-dory, right? Chances are, if you haven’t seen your dentist or hygienist for a while due to Covid-19, you may not be feeling as confident as usual about your oral health. But, aside from remembering to buy toothpaste, surely there’s not much else you can do at home?
Not so, say the experts. “Good dental health is a mixture of the care of your dentist and personal at-home oral hygiene, meaning everyday decisions can make a big difference in preventing many common problems,” says Elaine Tilling, TePe’s head of clinical education.
The problem you should tackle right now? Gum disease. “Many people don’t give their gums a second thought, but most adults in the UK will have gum disease to some degree,” says Tilling. “Plaque – an invisible bacterial film that develops on your teeth every day – is the main cause. And, if that plaque isn’t brushed away, it can build up and irritate your gums, making them swollen and bleed easily, and sometimes sore and infected.”
The tell-tale sign of problems? Blood in the sink after brushing, or bad breath, which suggests you’re in the early stage of gum disease, known as gingivitis. “Healthy gums don’t bleed when you brush or clean between your teeth,” says Tilling. “Many of us don’t act on this blood because bleeding after brushing is so common that it is considered normal – unlike other dental problems such as toothache or sensitivity, it isn’t painful. However, it’s a sign of an issue that needs addressing.”
Untreated gingivitis can develop into periodontitis, which can ultimately cause teeth to become loose and fall out. Not only that, if gum disease is left to become severe, it can trigger inflammation, which can increase your risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and other serious conditions. The hormones associated with pregnancy can make some women susceptible to gum problems, which is why it’s especially important to look after your teeth and gums if you’re pregnant (NHS dental care is free for pregnant women and during the 12 months after you’ve given birth).
So, if you don’t want to add “neglected my teeth” to the countless list of reasons why 2020 has not been the best year, don’t brush off your concerns. First up, it’s useful to know that your toothbrush only cleans the inside, outside and biting surfaces of the tooth, which is roughly 60% of the tooth’s surface. This means that up to 40% of surfaces can remain untouched, and it’s often here that dental plaque and bacteria build up. Within 24 to 36 hours, that plaque becomes more potent to the gums and teeth. Plaque buildup hardens into tartar over time, which can only be removed by professional cleaning by your dentist or hygienist.
source guardian
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