Oral Hygiene - Top Tips for a Pearly White Smile
Everybody loves a bright white smile, but not everybody is willing to do what it takes to have one. According to recent statistics, 25% of adults brush their teeth only once (if even) daily, while nearly 30% of NHS patients avoid the dentist. Worse still, half of parents in the country don’t take their children to the dentist until they’re 3 years old. Luckily, there are simple and effective ways to guarantee a confident and captivating smile.
Why Do Oral Hygiene Matter?
Indeed, it’s not only for aesthetic reasons; if that were the case, a comprehensive dental implant solution in Geneva would solve everything. However, a poorly cleaned mouth can impact many other aspects of one’s health, with consequences ranging from reduced fertility to heart diseases and cancer. Besides, running to a private dentist for an emergency can be painful in multiple ways.
Over 50% of British adults suffer from gingivitis, which is the gateway to many other problems. The signs of poor oral hygiene show pretty quickly, and they aren’t pleasant. Patients complain about tooth decay, bleeding gums, stinky breath, pain, and even jaw swelling in the worst cases. Health risks are even worse for pregnant women, as oral hygiene issues are also related to premature birth.
The good news is that basic care is enough to avoid all that. Here’s what it takes to preserve a pearly white smile, cut costs with treatments, and avoid even nastier consequences.
Daily Brushing and Flossing
It should surprise nobody that daily brushing and flossing are indispensable for good oral health. People should brush twice daily and floss once to ensure residue-free teeth and gums.
Otherwise, plaque may quickly build up, and it can only go downhill from there. Health specialists advise using fluoride toothpaste and brushing all sides of one’s teeth at a 45-degree angle. Soft-bristle toothbrushes are ideal, and the tongue must also be brushed.
Mouthwashes
Mouthwashes are the most popular teeth care product in the UK, and 7% of patients commonly use them. Indeed, they’re an effective way of keeping buccal bacteria outside after brushing and flossing. However, specialists advise avoiding alcohol mouthwashes, as they usually cause dry mouth and other problems, like enamel erosion and gum inflammation. They also compromise tooth fillings, bridges, and crowns.
Quit Tobacco for Good
There are many reasons for quitting tobacco products, and oral health is one of them. Tobacco destroys everything on its way, and in this case, can cause oral cancer and multiple gum diseases. Besides, it leaves pretty ugly yellow stains on the teeth, which will only come off with abrasive treatments that can damage the enamel.
Regular Check-Ups
Going to the dentist is never fun, but it’s much better to go when nothing is wrong. In fact, by doing so, patients can treat their problems when they're still in their early stages, causing little to no damage. Usually, one visit every six months is enough for well-behaved patients to keep everything under control.
