Looking after your oral helps maintain the health of your teeth, gums and entire body in check – and can improve your smile. The way you take care of your smile can alter the way you feel about the look of your mouth and ultimately how you feel about yourself. It can lift your mood and make you feel better about your appearance.
If you happen to have lost a tooth due to gum disease, you can opt to undergo one of the many procedures, including Dental Implant London dentists have to offer. Typically made of titanium, a material accepted by the body, dental implants can last for up to 15 years before needing to be replaced so you can be sure to have a lasting smile with minimal discomfort so you can eat without concern.
Find out our top tips for looking after your smile below.
Brush your teeth twice a day
You are most likely aware that you should be brushing your teeth at least twice a day – but are you? Dentists don’t waste their breath saying it for no reason, looking after your smile is achieved by brushing your whites twice a day.
Not only does brushing your teeth twice a day help prevent harmful bacteria and tartar building up inside your mouth.
Tartar is like a puppy; it will attach itself to you and refuse to go away. The only way you can get rid of the build-up is by safely scrapping your teeth, which is a procedure that must be performed by your dentist. If it is left untreated, you are at risk of a bad gum infection that may cause your gums to bleed.
Avoid smoking
Smoking isn’t just bad for your lungs; it affects the health of your gums too. Since smoking weakens your immune system, fighting off gum infections can be more difficult and it’s more difficult and takes longer for your gums to heal once they have been damaged.
Know how to spot gum disease
Gum disease is an inflammation of the gum line that can affect the bone supporting your teeth. The disease is identified in three stages depending on severity; gingivitis, periodontitis and advanced periodontitis. Gum disease can be painless, so it is essential you can spot the early signs of gum disease. Symptoms include gums that easily bleed when being brushed or you are flossing, tender or sensitive gums, loose teeth and/or you experience sharp pains when chewing.
Visit your dentist regularly
Regular dental visits are vital for the maintenance of healthy gums and teeth. Between visits, you should take extra care to keep your teeth clean and healthy. If your teeth require extra attention, your dentist may suggest that you visit more frequently based on your oral health of the previous check-up.
People who at are little risk of developing gum disease will usually get away with seeing their dentist between one and two times a year. Those that have a high risk of cavities may require an appointment every three or four months.
Floss!
There’s no doubt about it; flossing is an important oral hygiene practice that mustn’t be ignored. When plaque its give the opportunity to build up on teeth and along the gum line, you may experience tooth decay or develop gum disease.
Also known as periodontal disease, gum disease can be prevented by brushing your teeth after meals to remove any plaque trapped between your teeth and food particles. Flossing at least once a day ensures a sticky bacteria has been removed completely.