Today is World Oral Health Day!

20-03-2020

Today is World Oral Health Day.

On days like today, we like to encourage our patients to just pause for a second and think about their oral health, and what they can do to keep that mouth clean and healthy.

One of the best ways is to brush twice a day, every day, to prevent the build up of plaque and tartar on teeth. If you don’t brush regularly, you could be at risk of gum disease and then eventual tooth loss.

We advise that everyone brush for 2 minutes, twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste. Once in the morning, and once in the evening. The evening one is the most important, as it removes any build up from food that you may have accumilated during the day, and you really don’t want that sat on your teeth all night whilst you sleep! Food that’s left behind at night is a breeding ground for bacteria. That bacteria then attacks your teeth and gums and can cause cavities and gum disease, which you definitely want to avoid!

We also recommend changing your tooth brush every 3 months. Bacteria can linger on your toothbrush, and the bristles will become bent and less useful over time, so it’s best to just refresh every 3 months!

Another recommendation is to get an interdental brush or floss inbetween each of your teeth at least once a day. Food can get stuck in gaps that a toothbrush can’t reach, so we advise cleaning out between your teeth regularly.  If you find you struggle with floss or interdental brushes, then please speak to your dentist during your next check up for further advice.

We would also like to advise that mouthwash, although a wonderful thing, should be used at a different time to brushing. The fluoride contained in your toothpaste is fantastic when it’s left on your teeth, which is also why it’s recommended that you spit but don’t rinse after brushing. This gives your toothpaste time to do what it needs to. By using mouthwash straight after, you’re washing away all that fluoride-y goodness that you’ve just spent 2 minutes putting on! So by all means use mouthwash, but please use it at a different time of day, such as after lunch. Your work colleagues will thank you for it too!

So this oral health day, remember:

• Brush twice a day. Once in the morning and once just before bed.
• A medium toothbrush is best for most people. A hard toothbrush is usually too tough on gums and can damage them, and a soft one won’t clean properly. However, stick to what your dentist has advised.
• Use a fluroide toothpaste with at lieast 1450 ppm fluoride content. It’ll help keep cavities and decay at bay
• Change your toothbrush every 3 months, no matter what sort of brush you use. And also, try and keep it in a cupboard. Who knows what rises from the toilet when you flush it…!
• Use an interdernal aid at least once a day to clean between your teeth.
• Use mouthwash at a different time of day to brushing to get it’s full effect.
• Go to the dentist regularly! (This one is the most important!)

Happy World Oral Health Day to all!