As with most things in life, a stitch in time saves nine…

We also know that whilst dental techniques are constantly improving you cant beat what mother nature gave you.

So it makes sense to look after it, and here's a bit of basic but important advice.

Dental Hygiene's Role in Oral Health

Most of the diseases of the mouth are easily preventable and it is part of the dental team’s job to get the preventive message over.

We recommend:

Reducing sugars in your food:

Sugar feeds bacteria living in your mouth. In turn this can create damaging acids which dissolve tooth enamel, and toxins that attack your gums and cause gum disease, or create smelly compounds and bad breath.

Having a healthy balanced diet and taking regular exercise.

Evidence shows a clear link between poor diet, lack of exercise and gum disease.

Stopping smoking

Smoking has a variety of effects, from staining of the teeth and bad breath to poorer healing (it affects the tiny blood carrying arteries in the gums and reduces the bodies ability to heal) , to mouth cancer in the most sever cases.

Visiting your dentist and hygienist as often as they recommend.

Most people need to be seen once or twice a year. Your teeth, your gums, the skin in and around your mouth need to be checked for disease. The dentist or hygienist will measure how well you are cleaning, and if need be give corrective advice or treatment.

Brushing your teeth with a fluoride toothpaste twice a day for two minutes

A large proportion of the population brush less than once a day. YUK!

So: What Is A Dental Hygienist?

Dental hygienists are specialist team members who run the preventive services in a practice. They train, educate and mentor their patients and can provide quite complex therapy to remove bacteria from the tooth surfaces.

In my experience a good hygienist does things a dentist can’t - and I’m happy about that.

About 10% of the population are high risk for gum disease and need to be seen regularly, usually 4 or more times a year. Hygienists can take x rays, monitor progress and carry out treatment plans which they are free to develop under the prescription of a dentist.

Now that you’ve seen my list of suggestions, how can you incorporate them in to your own life? What changes can YOU make today to help keep your teeth for life?

If you’d like any more advice, then just give us a call on 01228 533431 today because we are here to help.