A Healthy smile is a Healthy You!

As a dental Hygiene Therapist I am often asked what the importance of good dental cleaning is. The health of our teeth and mouths are of amazing importance to us an is linked closely with our overall health and well-being,

Without good dental hygiene you are more at risk of tooth decay (which can be painful), gum disease, and bad breath. These can affect our speech, enjoyment of food and our self-esteem. There is also growing evidence that poor dental health is associated with increased risk of heart disease and a number of other illnesses.

So how do you prevent dental disease?

Brushing twice daily with a dry small-headed medium textured toothbrush with a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste (1450ppm Fluoride), using rotational strokes over all surfaces for 2 minutes is the best way to keep your teeth healthy. Do not rinse afterwards, as this washes the fluoride off your teeth.

For cleaning the sides and inbetween teeth you can use floss or interdental brushes, depending on your teeth. I can advise what would suit you best.

If you like mouthwashes these can be best used between brushing. Choose alcohol-free with fluoride for most benefit. We may recommend Corsodyl for short-term treatment.

And come to see us regularly! If you do this we can catch issues before they become bigger problems. This will mean a healthier you and will be easier on you pocket to treat a smaller problem! At all your examinations we check soft tissues, jaw movement and we can x-ray to see things happening inside your teeth and under your gums- so it is always worth coming in.

If you ever have any questions or need advice please ask me. I am always happy to help.

Erika

Hygiene Therapist