Top 10 Tips for Healthy Teeth: Your Ultimate Dental Guide
Healthy teeth can last a lifetime with good daily care
3 minute read
Your teeth play many important roles, from helping with eating and speech to improving digestion and lowering your risk of oral health and general health problems. That’s why it’s important to take good care of them every day, so they stay strong and healthy for life.
Whether you think your oral care routine could use some improvement or you just want to confirm that you’re already doing your best, check out these top teeth care tips from our team at Kelmscott Dental. You can also get in touch if you need personalised oral health advice or preventive dentistry in Kelmscott.
1. Brush twice a day, for two minutes
If you only brush your teeth once a day, you’re not alone. A survey by the Australian Dental Association (ADA) found that only 53% of adults brush twice daily, as recommended by dentists. However, more frequent brushing helps to remove more leftover food and bacteria from your teeth. This helps prevent the buildup of bacterial plaque that can lead to tooth decay, cavities and the need for restorative treatments like fillings.
As well as brushing regularly, it’s important to brush for long enough. Spending two minutes brushing the front, back and chewing surfaces of your teeth can remove more plaque and leave your teeth cleaner and healthier. You can also brush your tongue to remove bacteria for a healthier mouth overall.
2. Use fluoride toothpaste
Toothpaste that contains fluoride offers extra protection for your teeth against plaque. Alternatives such as charcoal toothpaste don’t offer the same protection and may even damage enamel because of the abrasiveness. Leaving toothpaste on your teeth after brushing rather than rinsing it off will mean you benefit from its protective effects for longer.
3. Change your toothbrush or toothbrush head every 3 months
Toothbrush bristles wear down with every use and eventually warp out of shape, which affects their cleaning ability. On average, a manual toothbrush or electric toothbrush head should be replaced every 3 months to keep it brushing effectively. You should also replace a toothbrush after an illness, as it may harbour germs.
4. Floss every day
Teeth brushing may remove most leftover food and plaque, but it can’t reach all parts of your mouth. Without floss or use another interdental cleaning tool, bacteria can build up in gaps and around your gumline, increasing your risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Flossing should be done at least once daily, before brushing.
If you’re not used to flossing, your dentist can demonstrate the right technique, or may discuss alternatives such as a floss holder or water flosser.
5. See a dentist every 6–12 months
Regular check-ups with a dentist improve your chances of any problems being spotted and treated at an earlier stage. We can provide oral hygiene treatments such as teeth cleaning and scaling and fluoride applications to help keep plaque at bay and lower your oral health risks.
For most people, it’s recommended to see a dentist once or twice a year, depending on your oral health and risk factors. Your dentist may recommend more frequent visits if you’re managing an ongoing issue such as periodontitis. If you’re due for a check-up and clean, contact our Kelmscott dentists to make an appointment.
6. Limit sugary and starchy foods
Foods that are high in sugar and other carbohydrates feed bacteria in plaque on the teeth. When these feed, they release acids that can wear down the enamel and cause tooth decay. The more of these foods you consume, as well as sugary and acidic drinks, the faster teeth will decay. Limiting processed sugar in your diet and choosing healthy options like fresh fruit will lower your oral health risks.
Learn more about the impact of food on oral health from our blog 7 Foods That Harm Teeth
7. Maintain a balanced diet
As well as avoiding sugary foods, it’s important to give your teeth and gums plenty of good nutrition. Vitamins and minerals that are great for teeth include calcium, phosphorus and vitamins A, C, D and K, and these are found naturally in many fruits, vegetables, lean meats, nuts and dairy products. These can help to strengthen tooth enamel, maintain and regenerate lost tissues, and improve oral and overall health.
8. Drink plenty of water
Drinking water throughout the day is important for staying hydrated, but it also helps prevent dry mouth and helps saliva to rinse away leftover food and acids on your teeth, gums and tongue that cause bad breath. Water can be even more beneficial for oral health when it has fluoride added, which gives extra protection to your teeth.
Water fluoridation is practised in most parts of Australia and has been proven a safe and effective method of improving oral health without creating any health risks. The only side effect related to excessive fluoride consumption is fluorosis, a cosmetic issue that can discolour children’s developing teeth if they ingest more than the recommended amount, but this is rare.
Learn more about it in our blog The Fluoride Question: Friend or Foe?
9. Avoid smoking
Tobacco use is a risk factor for many health conditions, including those affecting the mouth. Smoking can significantly increase a person’s risk of developing problems such as gum disease and dry mouth, and it’s also a leading risk factor for oral cancer. Smoking combined with excessive alcohol consumption can increase oral cancer risk by up to 30 times. After quitting smoking, your risk factors may eventually lower to those of a non-smoker.
10. Consider mouthwash
If you need some extra help improving your oral health and fighting plaque, your dentist may recommend a mouthwash. These usually contain fluoride and antibacterial agents, and it’s important to follow the instructions or your dentist’s guidance to make sure you’re using it safely. However, mouthwash isn’t generally needed if you already have good oral health and brush and floss regularly.
Preventive dentistry in Kelmscott
If it’s been longer than 6–12 months since you visited the dentist, or you want some advice about looking after your teeth, contact our friendly team at Kelmscott Dental to book an appointment at our welcoming dental clinic. Call us today on (08) 9495 7999 or book online. We welcome patients from all nearby areas including Gosnells, Armadale and other suburbs.
References
- https://ada.org.au/about/dental-profession/australia%E2%80%99s-oral-health-trackers
- https://www.dentalhealth.org/mouth-cancer-risk-factors
- https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/fluoridation
